Growing up is hard. Now, that might not be what you want to hear, and I know your Mom and I have tried to shield you from this fact your whole life, but the truth is that growing up is hard. My job as your dad has been to provide you with the tools and knowledge to guide you through life. While I like to think I’ve done a decent job, there is only so much I can tell you.
There are many monumental moments a father looks forward to sharing with his daughters: the moment they take their first steps, ride their first bicycle or share their first legal beer. Kidding! But from the day you were born, I could not wait for you to experience the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss) magic that I did. At 55 years old, I can pinpoint the exact moment that changed me as a person.
It was the summer of 1986, and I zipped up my bags and prepared for my two-month trip to Muss. No kids, no iPhone, no responsibilities. It’s wild to imagine for me, right? Muss allowed me to become the strong Zionist I am today. It provided me with a sanctuary, a safe place, somewhere I couldn’t wait to return to. I left that summer with a spark that has remained with me ever since.
Fast-forward several decades, and I remember the excitement I felt dropping you off at the airport as you embarked on the same journey I did. I also remember the satisfaction I felt when I picked you up from the airport on your return. You arrived home with the same spark that I did back in ’86.
These are challenging times for our people. Pro-Israel college students like you face unprecedented challenges as delegitimization campaigns spread unchecked lies about our Homeland. However, I know you will stand tall with confidence and pride in your heritage. Why? Because Muss gave you unparalleled firsthand experiences in Israel that you are now utilizing to stand up against hate.
While most anti-Israel protesters couldn’t place Israel on a map, you have visited our ancestral homeland and walked on the same paths that so many of our Jewish changemakers took—those who represent 4,000 years of our Jewish heritage. My hope for you is to carry that spark with you for the rest of your life—a spark that we share for the love of life, Israel and Muss. It will one day be your turn to pass this spark down to your children and all the generations that come after. I know you will do our community and people proud.
