As I watched my Israeli exchange student evolve from standing awkwardly to the side when we sang the blessings at High Holiday services to leading Hamotzi before dinner in my Sukkah, I understood what the Israel Exchange Program was about.
The Extended Israeli Exchange Program (EIEP) welcomed exchange students from the school Ohel Shem, in Ramat Gan, into our homes for six weeks this past fall from Sept. 15-Oct. 27. Throughout the month-and-a-half, the Israeli students were introduced to famous Los Angeles monuments, learned about American history and culture, and experienced how Judaism is practiced as an American.
While my exchange buddy and I had similar interests, one main difference was our levels of religious observance. Nevertheless, she stepped into the program with an open mind and was always eager to embrace my family’s customs.
Many of the Israelis who came as a part of the program did not practice Judaism on a daily basis. As a student attending de Toledo, we have Kosher lunches, biblical study classes, and T’fillah on Fridays. Personally, my family has Shabbat dinners every Friday night, observes all of the holidays, and goes to synagogue almost every week. My exchange buddy quickly adopted my family’s traditions and learned what Judaism looked like in my home.
American Jewish practices differ from Israeli Jewish practices due to a variety of reasons. There is a different type of lifestyle, cultural variances and different expectations than those living on the land compared to the diaspora. Throughout the course of the program, I saw firsthand how these two worlds could come together. The exchange allowed us to bridge the gap between our distinct Jewish identities and celebrate our shared traditions in a more meaningful way.
It was inspiring to watch my exchange partner grow in her understanding of what it means to be Jewish in America and how those practices can shape and connect us, no matter where we’re from. The time we spent together was a reminder of the importance of the exchange and how we can find common ground, learn more about our traditions, and build lasting friendships. This experience has taught me that while our practices may differ, our Jewish identity remains the same, and that’s something worth celebrating.
