We are the proud parents of two wonderful sons, Jordan, who is almost 25, and Noah, who is almost 23. Several years ago, our son Jordan went on Taglit-Birthright Israel with Shorashim. He had a memorable trip, and it was then that I began to seriously think about how we could provide such an experience for our son Noah.
Our son Noah has autism. He has had a wonderful Jewish education through Keshet. He has attended the Sunday school and the summer programs since he was 5. Keshet has very much been instrumental in helping Noah to develop a sense of his Jewish identity. In spite of the fact that Noah's friends participate in many Friday evening social activities, Noah is quite insistent about going to Friday night minyan and celebrating Shabbat at home, as a family. As we began to have discussions with Noah about whether he would like to go to Israel on Birthright, it became clear that not only was he interested in going, he was excited about it. Making a trip to Israel happen for Noah became a mission for us.
The key to success would be in finding the right companion for Noah, who has some challenges as a result of his autism. He has limited verbal language, some perseverative behaviors, difficulty sleeping and problems initiating activities. He needs supervision and assistance throughout the day and all night.
We were fortunate to find the perfect companion for our Noah, when we met Noah Tavor, a college student at the University of Arizona, who worked at the Keshet summer program this past year. Recognizing the maturity, the calm, positive demeanor and compassion in Noah T, we approached him with our idea of sending Noah to Israel on Birthright. Noah T did not hesitate.
We quickly made contact with Taglit-Birthright Israel and had a conversation with Sharna Marcus, who came to the house to meet our son and Noah T. After seeing the excitement of both Noahs and assessing Noah T's ability to provide adequate support for Noah, she was supportive and encouraging.
We were told we could sign up in September for the December trip, which worked perfectly for both Noahs. Noah's dad was on the computer within minutes when registration opened for the winter trip. We were ecstatic and nervous when we realized that Noah's Birthright trip was actually going to happen.
To say that everything was totally perfect would be a stretch, but to say that this was a perfectly wonderful trip is completely true. Both Noahs made it through the long flight (with a stop-over both ways in Istanbul); the hectic daily schedule; the constant moves from hotel to hotel; the Bedouin tent experience; the climb up Masada; the dip in the Dead Sea, including Noah diving in and opening his eyes under water, not understanding how the salt would feel in his eyes; the camel ride; the moving experience of carrying the Israeli flag and putting a note in the Wall.
Noah T kept a journal in which he states, “I would be lying if I said everything went smoothly the whole time. However, both Noah and I were able to work together to ensure that Noah was totally a part of the group. I believe that he will retain forever the connection he made with the people he met. It was truly magnificent to see how one person (Noah) could have such an impact on so many people. I think it is something our group will never forget.”
Our first look into Noah's eyes when we picked him up at the airport told us everything we needed to know about the success of the trip. We have never seen him smiling so broadly or looking so proud.
Both Noahs have a great sense of accomplishment in making this trip, but they also have a greater appreciation for their heritage and the importance of Israel to the Jewish people.
Noah is now on Facebook, at the request of many of the other participants on the trip. He is currently getting lots of e-mail and though we know that most of that will stop soon, we are hopeful that somewhere, in their hearts, many of Noah's trip-mates will remember the young man with a smile on his face, standing atop Masada, gazing out on the horizon, having made a climb to new heights.
Thanks to Birthright, Shorashim and the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago for providing our son with this special opportunity.
Our hope is that our son will forever remember his accomplishment in going on his Birthright trip, that he will have a sense of pride and accomplishment both in his efforts and the efforts of those who established a Jewish homeland; and we hope, too, that Noah's trip-mates will have enjoyed their trip more for having shared it with him.
Asher Bronfeld and Ellen Garber Bronfeld live in Northbrook.
