May 23, 2011

Israeli Defense Forces Soldiers Visit Miami

Two young Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were recently at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. They spoke about their army experience and their time spent on a Birthright Israel trip as participants. The soldiers were part of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) Speakers Bureau which makes various speakers available to communities. Before visiting Federation, they spoke at Federation’s South Dade Branch and at a Mega Mission Israel 2012 recruitment meeting in Miami Beach.

First Sergeant Tomer Bucher, 22, from Haifa and Lieutenant Lipaz Ela, 21 of Jerusalem are two out of thousands of active duty Israeli soldiers who sacrifice and put their life on hold to serve their country.

Sergeant Bucher and Lieutenant Ela participated on separate Taglit-Birthright Israel trips. “This was a 10-day respite from army service so I was eager to experience it when the opportunity was presented to me,” said Sergeant Bucher. While both agreed that Birthright Israel provided a good distraction from their everyday army duties, the trip also left an everlasting impact on them. “We met friends for life on Birthright. It was an experience that I know I will never forget,” said Lieutenant Ela. Sergeant Bucher agreed and already has plans to visit his new American friends in Boston later this year.

Taglit-Birthright Israel receives funding from the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign and invites Jewish 18 to 26 year-olds to enjoy a free 10-day, peer group, educational trip to Israel. To qualify, participants must not have previously traveled to Israel on an organized group program.

Since its inception in 1999, Taglit-Birthright Israel has sent more than 230,000 young adults to Israel from around the world, including more than 3,500 students and recent grads from Miami.

The soldiers were excited to share their culture and lifestyle with Americans on their trip. “We shared everything with each other. From our different cultures to our perspectives on life to the latest fashion trends,” said Lieutenant Ela.

“It was interesting to see how Americans view us. It was a learning experience. It helped me understand more about myself,” Sergeant Bucher said.

For more information on Taglit-Birthright Israel, visit BirthrightIsrael.com. Too old for Birthright or already did it and want to experience Israel again? Register for Miami Mega Mission Israel 2012, a mission designed for people of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, visit MiamiMegaMission2012.org.