Ariella Appel with Some of the Group in Boston

I was honored to be a part of this year’s Or Hadash Youth Mission to Boston. I was the chaperone for a wonderful group of kids –chosen people, almost –that was led by our Rabbi Dr. Edgar Nof, who teaches my younger son in the Or Hadash Preschool, and who helped by middle son, Bosmat, prepare for his Bar Mitzva last year.

I had been to Boston once before, 32 years ago, and had contact with the Reform Congregations then. However this trip was “d?j? vu” for me in more ways than one. My wonderful and incredible story with Reform Judaism began in 1972, when I firat joined the Or Hadash Youth Group in the old Leo Baeck School, where Rabbi Bob Samuels was the principal and Rabbi Gil Nativ was the youth group leader.

I was very active, and went to services every Friday evening and Saturday morning. I enjoyed it very much.

In 1972, I was chosen to participate in an exchange program to the United States. I was there for six months, and while I was there, I was hosted by a wonderful family. I called the parents “Mom” and “Dad” and the children were my “brother” and “sister.”

Now, 32 years after, the circle was closed. As the chaperone for the Or Hadash Youth Mission, of which my son was a member, I was hosted by Randi Klein-Levine of Lexington. Randi was my “sister” back then – certainly things had come full circle!

In Boston, we found a warm, loving Jewish Community, who were more than hosts to us. They gave us the feeling that they cared about us and were anxious to hear about our lives in Israel. It would make me very happy to know that, as a result of our discussions, more of our friends in Boston decided to spend their vactions with us in Israel, and even better, that they decided to let their children come to Israel on youth missions.

I am certain that strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood have developed between the Israeli kids and their American hosts. Just look at Randi and me to see how strong those bonds can be.

We look forward to seeing all of our Boston friends here in Israel as soon as possible. We will give them the same warm, loving welcome that they gave us, and that’s a promise!

Tamuz 5764 - July 2004