A few months ago, on an early Friday afternoon, someone broke into my home office in Federal Hill. The intruder scaled a fence, climbed five flights of stairs outside, shimmied along the roof and walked the gutter, like a trapeze artist. Then he pushed open my office window and punched out my screen. I was shaken, but OK.
But it scared me. So when I was planning my trip to Israel, friends of all religions asked, “Aren?t you afraid to go to Israel? Is it safe? Will you be OK?”
Safe? It was glorious!
I recently returned from my third mission to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel. The main event was Tel Aviv One, an international young leadership conference. More than 1,200 young Jewish adults from the United States and around the world gathered to forge connections among themselves and with Israel, and to ensure a new generation of committed Jewish leadership. I led a group of 40 young adults from Baltimore.
More than 50 percent of the group of 1,200 had never been to Israel so the trip made was even more special. To be a religious person and to go to the Middle East is an invigorating, life-changing experience.
Fresh off the 12-hour plane ride, the Baltimore contingency started in Jerusalem, hopping on bikes for a ride through the desert. In Jerusalem, we visited the holy Western Wall; shed tears and remembered loved ones at Yad Vashem, Israel?s Holocaust Memorial Museum; climbed Masada, floated in the Dead Sea; walked Ben Yehuda Market area like natives (with cameras); and toured and made friends with our Israeli brothers and sisters.
We freely and safely traveled throughout the country witnessing the fabric of Israeli life, culture, business and society.
We visited Baltimore?s sister city of Ashkelon, even gave Café Hon stickers to students. Recently, a group of Ashkelonian women leaders visited Baltimore. I escorted them through The Walters Art Museum, and they toured Baltimore learning about our thriving Jewish community. Now I proudly visited Ashkelon, met their families, visited schools and saw how our partnership helps Ashkelon to thrive.
I walked by a Sbarro Pizza in Jerusalem, home of a homicide (it is not suicide) bombing, said a prayer and paused. I felt safe on Jerusalem?s Ben Yehuda Street, in the Tel Aviv night clubs, no bombs, no fights. No unwelcome intruders climbing into my window. Is it propaganda or just bad public relations about Israel?
The United Jewish Communities Tel Aviv event was the first in Israel. Usually the UJC holds the leadership event in Washington, D.C. Coming to Israel, a trip planned over five years, makes a statement: of support, partnership, responsibility and action. We must support our partner, our family in Israel, by visiting. We mustn?t just stay at home and be critics on the couch.
Recently, Ed Hale Sr., chairman and chief executive of Baltimore-based First Mariner Bank and owner of the Baltimore Blast soccer team, told me he has been to Israel two times. He actually organized a trip of business associates.
Organizing such a trip shows leadership. Israel is a cornerstone of our faith and a living example of our history. To be able to impact lives as I did, and as Ed did,is a privilege and an unexpected honor.
My new friend, Anat, just sent me an invitation to her wedding in Tel Aviv next week. How cool is that?
Shalom, peace, hon.
Patti Neumann is CEO of CITYPEEK.com, a travel and entertainment business. Neumann is also involved with many charities: The Associated, Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, cancer causes, and United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Cabinet. Contact [email protected].
