The Toronto Jewish community is a bubble that some never leave. It is a community I often felt excluded from because I never considered myself “jewish” enough, and peers were also quick to remind me of this.
I opened myself up to going on Birthright to help me feel more in touch with a Jewish community. I met friends from all over Canada, all levels of Judaism; where we got to learn and discuss not only our own personal connections to our faith, but also the looming spectre of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
We had discussions and lessons in safe, comfortable, and non-judgmental environments. This not only provided me access to a Jewish community I never thought I’d experience, but also gave me the knowledge and drive to learn about the conflict from a nuanced view.
The friends you’ll make on your bus are friends for life.