I experienced Israel for the first time in high school through a program where I saw the remains of the Holocaust throughout Eastern Europe and then continued on to see Israel for the first time. I fell hard for the amazing country, exploring Israel’s historical and cultural beauty. I didn’t know then what would happen to me by now. When it was time to look for colleges I just wasn’t enthusiastic. I experienced a pull that led me to discover the idea of a gap year. Young Judaea Year Course was on the top of my list because friends who had experienced it had nothing but genuine smiles and special memories to share with me. Even after looking at other gap-year programs I was set on it and I applied almost immediately. Little did I know that those nine magical months would inspire and shape my future as much as it has.
I was definitely hesitant before getting on the plane. I had no idea what to expect. There were so many new faces, all of which were taking a giant leap of faith and leaving what they know just as I was, and hopping on a plane to go to a country we all felt connected to. This struck me, we’re all strangers but we all can relate to this place somehow.
It took time but soon everyone began to get a feel for the cities we lived in. I volunteered, learned to speak Hebrew and grew closer to the entire group. Soon friendships were formed based on where people wanted to travel to that weekend. Meals became what we could all scrounge up from the last of the month’s food. Potlucks became our average dinners and sleepovers were weekend camping trips in the middle of nowhere. I was figuring out what I liked, what adventures I wanted to take next and how amazing every little nook of this country is. The classes were inspiring and hands on and it gave me so much more appreciation for where I was living.
This was the first time I had truly been free to make decisions on my own, to figure out what independence means to me and how I wanted to use that in the best way possible. Sure there were mandatory classes and group activities but we would go together, and being together meant there was bound to be a good time. The structure was just enough so that we could remember how special this program really was and then go off on our own once again with all of our close friends.
This was a year of growth, change, inspiration, motivation and especially courage. This isn’t an easy decision to make for everyone because in America we are told the path we are going to go on before we even come into this world. To go against that current and shake things up a bit really takes courage.
These opportunities that I’ve taken led me on a path neither my community nor I can hardly believe. There was a specific moment on Year Course that was the “done deal” for me. It was Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and a huge ceremony was held in Jerusalem and led by MASA (a joint project of the government of Israel and the Jewish Agency that offers young adults an opportunity to spend a semester in Israel.) All of Young Judaea Year Course was invited and the seating arrangement is what emotionally threw me overboard. All of the Holocaust survivors were seated in the front row. One by one they would come up, share a story, and their names would be on the screen as they all helped to light torches. Now if that didn’t bring me to tears, the people who sat in front of me did. Families and other people were already sitting in the audience when we arrived. A few minutes after our arrival a couple of busses full of IDF soldiers came walking in and took their seats as well. Seeing all this immediately cause chills to run through my spine. The entire ceremony was a symbol of hope and strength. It was a beautiful vision of our modern day and a glimpse of our future. I didn’t have a dry eye the entire ceremony and at the end my parents received a phone call.
“Hi mom and dad, I’ve made a decision, I’m making Aliyah and I’m joining the IDF.” They thought maybe I was just excited from the ceremony and tried to calm me down. “Oh Alana, of course you’re going to college first though, they said.”
I did listen to them. I thought, maybe they’re right. I’ll try college and see how it goes. I went to college for one year and halfway through my Aliyah papers were already filled out and I was in connection with Tzofim Garin Tzabar, Israeli’s lone soldier program. It took a lot of convincing to have my parents understand where I was coming from, but they’ve come around 180 degrees and are so incredibly supportive.
I chose to become a soldier in Karakal, a special combat battalion for men and women, and served for two years as a lone soldier. I have learned so much about my community and myself and my bond to this country has grown in so many ways. I’m very appreciative for all the support I’ve received over the last few years. My life for now is here, in Israel, with some friends from the Year Course program I attended almost five years ago. Many also served as lone soldiers. These friendships last a lifetime. They are some of the greatest friends I know.
Why am I writing this message? I want it to reach out and encourage families, friends and the community to let our youth today take more risks, follow their dreams and explore more of what’s outside the society’s bubble today. It’s important to see what the world has to offer us. Young Judaea Year Course was the staple for my Aliyah and IDF service. For that I am extremely grateful.
Alana Gaffen grew up in Leawood attended Beth Shalom preschool, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and graduated from Blue Valley North High School. She is a Young Judaea Year Course 2010-2011 alum and currently lives in Israel. She is the daughter of Eileen and Steve Gaffen, formerly of Leawood and now of Del Mar, Calif{/mprestriction}
