We’re marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel with a year-long celebration! Keep an eye out for “Memphis Celebrates Israel at 70” branding at your synagogue, at events around town, and online. In this My Israel Story series, we’re asking Memphians to tell their personal Israel stories. Do you have a story to tell?
My first trip to Israel was in 1971. Growing up in Memphis as a preteen, I learned about my Jewish homeland while being a member of Young Judea. There was a longing in my soul that someday I would be able to visit Israel and possibly live there. I wanted to go so badly that I wrote for Hadassah cruise brochures, and I received many in the mail.
In my third year of college, I decided to drop out of school and travel in Israel. My parents agreed to this spontaneous decision, much to my surprise. When I arrived, I was thrilled and so excited to finally be in the place I had dreamed about for so many years. To hear the language, to meet the people, to taste the food were all amazing to me. And on Purim, I saw kids in the street, speaking Hebrew, wearing costumes and shaking groggers.
Since that time, Israel has remained a part of my life through my volunteer work with Hadassah and my connection with Livnot U’Lehibanot. Years passed and my husband, Alan and my son, Ethan and I took a trip to Israel. While visiting Tzfat, I remember climbing many ancient stone steps that led down narrow alley ways and hearing prayers from synagogues along the way. On Shabbat we went to the Carlebach Synagogue. Alan and Ethan watched as the men danced and sang around the Torah. I sang with the women and felt a spiritual connection with the Jewish people.
Ethan had been on a program called Livnot U’Lehibanot. This group bonding experience was unbelievably rewarding. This is where Ethan got the chance to explore his Judaism in a personal meaningful way. Ethan loved making challah in the Livnot kitchen and hiking the hills of Israel with his new found friends. Ethan’s group, T61, was one of the most spirited groups Livnot has ever had.
Livnot has a special place in my heart, not only because I admire how the program gives these young adults a strong sense of Jewish identity and love of Israel. It’s because my son, Ethan found a second home there, a place of acceptance and love. A place where he could be Jewish with joy. Sadly, in 2007 in Memphis, my son was killed by a drive by shooter and he never got to finish his Jewish journey.
There is a small room made of stones on the Livnot campus, the Precious Stone Room. Each stone has its own shape, color, and uniqueness. In the room, there is a plaque in memory of my son, Ethan. Above the plaque is a box of crystals I brought from Memphis. I was told by Aharon Botzer, the founder of Livnot that “like the stones of Tzfat, every Jew is a precious jewel.” To me these ancient stones represent the connection each Jew has with the State of Israel and to the Livnot program. Something Ethan would have been proud of.
– Cathie’s My Israel Story was published March 23, her son Ethan’s Birthday. – Editor