I thought I would post an e-mail I sent to one of my professors at Binghamton University. I took around 5 courses with Professor Alan Arkush over 3 years at Binghamton (courtses ranging from "The Jewish Political Tradition" to "Neoconservatism, Libralism and the Jews [now THAT was an awesome class]. He is not only a brilliant scholar but, perhaps more importantly, a great teacher. He plays a defining role in my life.
Professor,
I am writing to let you know about some changes in my life. For over a year I have had the pleasure of working for one of the two most important organizations effecting Israel’s safety and security. I truly believe that my work with AIPAC has ensured the diplomatic, military and economic support that Israel depends on. Still, I feel a void in my life. I have decided to work for the other organization that keeps Israel safe. At the end of this December, I am making Aliyah and enlisting in the army shortly after. While I believe that without the support and assistance from the Diaspora, Israel would not be in existence today, I also feel an obligation to defend Israel from within.
Upon arriving at Binghamton University six years ago, I had a deep love for the Jewish state. I loved the land, the people and the history. But it was not until I attended your classes that I could fully appreciate Israel and its meaning. Whether it was learning about the diplomatic history of Israel, or about the Crusades and the importance of a home for the Jewish people, you have taught me to appreciate Israel on many different levels. Thank you for sharing with me your infinite insights and wisdom. I hope you will be able to visit me in Israel soon. Take care, and I hope that you motivate many more students to spend their lives defending Israel.
Very fondly, your student,
Yoni Cooper
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Why?
Since making my decision to move to Israel, I received the inevitable question more than once: "Why?" While I assumed that this question would illicit a similar responses each time I received it, I found myself answering the question differently each time it was posed to me.
When I first started answering the question, I pointed to my upbringing and values.
My parents had always instilled a love for Judaism and Israel in me, and so the idea of moving to Israel was never so far-fetched. I grew up at Jewish Day Schools and Camp Ramah, where Israel was an integral part of those institutions. I mentioned Israel and Jerusalem daily in my prayers, learned the language and discovered Israeli culture. I heard from survivors of the Holocaust about their experiences, and the importance of Israel for the Jewish people. I read about the Prophets and Kings who ruled Eretz Yisrael thousands of years ago...But it was not until I set foot on the land (in hebrew, Israel is literally referred to as "the Land") that I began to appreciate Israel on a different level.
My parents placed visiting Israel as a top-priority for our family. While we did not have money trees in our backyard, I was privileged enough to visit Israel a few times with my family as a kid. I found that Israel meant something different to me each time I returned. Each time that I returned I viewed Israel through the same eyes, but as I aged, I took with me to Israel, more knowledge and experiences than the proceeding visit. I slowly began to fall in love. I spent a summer in Israel, the year before my Senior year of High School through Camp Ramah. I returned to Israel again my Freshman year with an advocacy mission, through Hillel. Then, my Junior year of University, I attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem for the year. My parents never told me to love Israel; They let me love Israel for myself.
But as I continued to answer the question "Why?", I found myself answering the question "why now?"
For the past year, I have had the opportunity to work for one of the only two organizations that ensure Israel's safety and security. In my position at AIPAC, I was fortunate enough to spend my time explaining to people to importance of Israel and Pro-Israel political action. And as I learned, read and spoke more and more about Israel, I actually fell deeper in love with the State of Israel. As I continued to speak for AIPAC, convincing people to help secure Israel existence, I began to think about the other organization that ensures Israel's safety and security: The Israeli Defence Forces. I entertained the idea of going to the army before. As I prepared for graduation from university (Binghamton University, to be exact), I seriously considered enlisting in the army. But, for a variety of reasons I decided to take a position with AIPAC in Los Angeles. I was really impressed with AIPAC and I was excited by the prospect of working for such an important organization. Still the desire to serve in Israel's army never left me.
And then the war began in Lebanon. For weeks, I sat in comfortable, sunny Beverly Hills, trying to help Israel as best that I could. I was on the phone more with my members, I was trying to raise more money, and I was reading every article I could get my hands on. I felt distant. I wanted to be with Israel during those hard times. On August 1, 2006, First Sgt. Michael Levin Z"L, was killed by Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon. He was hit by an anti-tank missile while he was clearing out terrorists in a Hezbollah run town.
I grew up with mike, or as we used to call him, "Termite", at camp Ramah. Year after year, kids like Termite and myself spent our summers, playing sports (hockey was Termite's game), going on camping trips and learning about Judaism and Israel. For many of us, our Zionism was formed during our summers at camp. After high school Termite knew he needed to make Aliyah and serve in the IDF. He joined the paratroopers and became one of only a few Americans to serve in that capacity. Termite served the country he loved and died doing so. He was an American, and could have loved Israel from the Diaspora. He could have been active in pro-Israel organizations in this country, bought Israel-Bonds and attended Israel parades in the spring. Termite did not have to risk his life for Israel. But he did.
In Early August, upon hearing the news of my friends death, I knew that I needed to take his place. I knew there was a void in the Israeli army left by his death, and I could feel a void inside of me as well. I am 24 years old (well, i'm 23, but I will be 24 in a few days), and if entered the army today, i would be 5-6 years older than my fellow soldiers. Today, I am of the age that I can serve in the army. I will be supporting Israel my whole life, but I will not have much more time to support Israel in this way. So, when I am asked "Why?", I sometimes answer by explaining that I need to go to the army soon, before I am no longer able to. I explain that I never want to think to myself "there was something I could have done for Israel that I didn't do".
"Why Israel?"
When asked this question I sometimes remember what a wealthy friend told me when we were discussing the pro-Israel community in America. "Everyone has their role to play. Some volunteer, some work with students, others get their friends involved in politics...I write checks". I know that I too, have a role. My role is to serve in the IDF.
"Why?"
While I have already explained some of my reasoning, I have begun to use this answer most frequently: As a pro-Israel American citizen I have the obligation to defend Israel from her detractors and advocate on her behalf. I do not feel that I have the right to criticize each policy of the Israeli Government. "Why Aliyah?"-Because I want to have the right to criticize the country I love, but more importantly, I want to take on the obligation to improve her.
When I first started answering the question, I pointed to my upbringing and values.
My parents had always instilled a love for Judaism and Israel in me, and so the idea of moving to Israel was never so far-fetched. I grew up at Jewish Day Schools and Camp Ramah, where Israel was an integral part of those institutions. I mentioned Israel and Jerusalem daily in my prayers, learned the language and discovered Israeli culture. I heard from survivors of the Holocaust about their experiences, and the importance of Israel for the Jewish people. I read about the Prophets and Kings who ruled Eretz Yisrael thousands of years ago...But it was not until I set foot on the land (in hebrew, Israel is literally referred to as "the Land") that I began to appreciate Israel on a different level.
My parents placed visiting Israel as a top-priority for our family. While we did not have money trees in our backyard, I was privileged enough to visit Israel a few times with my family as a kid. I found that Israel meant something different to me each time I returned. Each time that I returned I viewed Israel through the same eyes, but as I aged, I took with me to Israel, more knowledge and experiences than the proceeding visit. I slowly began to fall in love. I spent a summer in Israel, the year before my Senior year of High School through Camp Ramah. I returned to Israel again my Freshman year with an advocacy mission, through Hillel. Then, my Junior year of University, I attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem for the year. My parents never told me to love Israel; They let me love Israel for myself.
But as I continued to answer the question "Why?", I found myself answering the question "why now?"
For the past year, I have had the opportunity to work for one of the only two organizations that ensure Israel's safety and security. In my position at AIPAC, I was fortunate enough to spend my time explaining to people to importance of Israel and Pro-Israel political action. And as I learned, read and spoke more and more about Israel, I actually fell deeper in love with the State of Israel. As I continued to speak for AIPAC, convincing people to help secure Israel existence, I began to think about the other organization that ensures Israel's safety and security: The Israeli Defence Forces. I entertained the idea of going to the army before. As I prepared for graduation from university (Binghamton University, to be exact), I seriously considered enlisting in the army. But, for a variety of reasons I decided to take a position with AIPAC in Los Angeles. I was really impressed with AIPAC and I was excited by the prospect of working for such an important organization. Still the desire to serve in Israel's army never left me.
And then the war began in Lebanon. For weeks, I sat in comfortable, sunny Beverly Hills, trying to help Israel as best that I could. I was on the phone more with my members, I was trying to raise more money, and I was reading every article I could get my hands on. I felt distant. I wanted to be with Israel during those hard times. On August 1, 2006, First Sgt. Michael Levin Z"L, was killed by Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon. He was hit by an anti-tank missile while he was clearing out terrorists in a Hezbollah run town.
I grew up with mike, or as we used to call him, "Termite", at camp Ramah. Year after year, kids like Termite and myself spent our summers, playing sports (hockey was Termite's game), going on camping trips and learning about Judaism and Israel. For many of us, our Zionism was formed during our summers at camp. After high school Termite knew he needed to make Aliyah and serve in the IDF. He joined the paratroopers and became one of only a few Americans to serve in that capacity. Termite served the country he loved and died doing so. He was an American, and could have loved Israel from the Diaspora. He could have been active in pro-Israel organizations in this country, bought Israel-Bonds and attended Israel parades in the spring. Termite did not have to risk his life for Israel. But he did.
In Early August, upon hearing the news of my friends death, I knew that I needed to take his place. I knew there was a void in the Israeli army left by his death, and I could feel a void inside of me as well. I am 24 years old (well, i'm 23, but I will be 24 in a few days), and if entered the army today, i would be 5-6 years older than my fellow soldiers. Today, I am of the age that I can serve in the army. I will be supporting Israel my whole life, but I will not have much more time to support Israel in this way. So, when I am asked "Why?", I sometimes answer by explaining that I need to go to the army soon, before I am no longer able to. I explain that I never want to think to myself "there was something I could have done for Israel that I didn't do".
"Why Israel?"
When asked this question I sometimes remember what a wealthy friend told me when we were discussing the pro-Israel community in America. "Everyone has their role to play. Some volunteer, some work with students, others get their friends involved in politics...I write checks". I know that I too, have a role. My role is to serve in the IDF.
"Why?"
While I have already explained some of my reasoning, I have begun to use this answer most frequently: As a pro-Israel American citizen I have the obligation to defend Israel from her detractors and advocate on her behalf. I do not feel that I have the right to criticize each policy of the Israeli Government. "Why Aliyah?"-Because I want to have the right to criticize the country I love, but more importantly, I want to take on the obligation to improve her.
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