What A Job!

31-Mar-08

In my job there is the danger of becoming a bit jaded.I am an independent tour guide in srael. I don't go to theoffice each morning as others do. When I am called upon to guide, my "office" is Israel. And so I say good morning to world famous sites as one would to a secretary or a co worker. It might be just that way if it were not for the eyes of my tourists. I really could take it all for granted - just part of a days work. I always say that envy"first timers" because that really is something to be experienced but once - like being young - only once. I felt that on my first visit in 1971, a long time ago. But I am blessed with the opportunity to experience it over again vicariously through my tourists.

Over the last twenty three years I have shared this unique country with people of just about every background. Jew, Gentile, Israeli, American, European, Asian and even Arab! Yes, I was asked by the Israel Ministry of Tourism to guide the very first group of Jordanian travel agents visiting Israel. That is a story in itself. I guide in German as well and you can imagine how that opens a whole other window for me as a guide, an Israeli and a Jew. But that too is a story by itself. Imagine a former Brooklyn yeshiva boy directing bus loads of Germans," Achtung, einsteigen!" Attention we are boarding! (gets lost in the translation) Always seems a bit surreal.

A few years ago the Israel Ministry of infrastructure asked me to guide a high ranking Chinese delegation as they visited a number of Israel's world class and innovative industrial sites. I have never seen so many photos taken - so many notes jotted down. What an eye opener. Little Israel showing China how it is done. What a country! How do you say that in Chinese?

But the most rewarding part of my job is the opportunity to guide Jewish students from abroad - like the thousands that have visited here through "Birthright" Knowing that most of these young people would not have made the trip if not for the unbeatable price, I realize that I have only a few precious days to make Israel a very relevant part of them and influence on the paths they choose in the future. Suddenly being part of the majority, meeting hundreds and thousands of fellow Jewish students in one place - a Jewish place. What an empowering, emotional moment. One that will be a reference point for years to come. Meeting with their peers, Israeli and American, mingling with a whole country of Jews - from all walks of life, is just the strong dose that these trips are intended to administer. Jewish bus drivers ,farmers, sanitation workers and national leaders present these young people with a country that is alive, has the deepest shared roots and offers the thrilling opportunity to identify with and share their hearts. To be part of something greater than ones self. Where the sum is greater than its parts.

Bring these lovely young people to the trough and explain how wonderful the water is - and they will drink!

One of my students studies in a graduate school for diplomatic studies. He is the only Jew on campus and has a number of Palestinian professors. Boy did he need this Israel trip! Then there was the young lady who never heard of Purim. We have a lot of work to do! Is there anything more rewarding than having a central role in the process of metamorphosis over a ten day period. How these young people bloom in a few intensive days.

All in all, after twenty three years of guiding in Israel, I still feel that if all the world is a stage, Israel is the main act and I am honored with a great supporting role.

What a country!

In my job there is the danger of becoming a bit jaded.I am an independent tour guide in srael. I don't go to the

office each morning as others do. When I am called upon to guide, my "office" is Israel. And so I say good morning to world famous sites as one would to a secretary or a co worker.It might be just that way if it were not for the eyes of my tourists. I really could take it all for granted - just part of a days work. I always say that envy"first timers" because that really is something to be experienced but once - like being young - only once. I felt that on my first visit in 1971, a long time ago. But I am blessed with the opportunity to experience it over again vicariously through my tourists.

Over the last twenty three years I have shared this unique country with people of just about every background. Jew, Gentile, Israeli, American, European, Asian and even Arab! Yes, I was asked by the Israel Ministry of Tourism to guide the very first group of Jordanian travel agents visiting Israel. That is a story in itself. I guide in German as well and you can imagine how that opens a whole other window for me as a guide, an Israeli and a Jew. But that too is a story by itself. Imagine a former Brooklyn yeshiva boy directing bus loads of Germans,"Achtung,einsteigen!" Attention we are boarding! (gets lost in the translation) Always seems a bit surreal.

Bring these lovely young people to the trough and explain how wonderful the water is - and they will drink!

All in all, after twenty three years of guiding in Israel, I still feel that if all the world is a stage, Israel is the main act and I am honored with a great supporting role.

What a country!

Shalom Pollack Tours of Israel
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	What A Job! 31-Mar-08 In my job there is the danger of becoming a bit jaded.I am an independent tour guide in srael. I don't go to theoffice each morning as others do. When I am called upon to guide, my "office" is Israel. And so I say good morning to world famous sites as one would to a secretary or a co worker. It might be just that way if it were not for the eyes of my tourists. I really could take it all for granted - just part of a days work. I always say that envy"first timers" because that really is something to be experienced but once - like being young - only once. I felt that on my first visit in 1971, a long time ago. But I am blessed with the opportunity to experience it over again vicariously through my tourists. Over the last twenty three years I have shared this unique country with people of just about every background. Jew, Gentile, Israeli, American, European, Asian and even Arab! Yes, I was asked by the Israel Ministry of Tourism to guide the very first group of Jordanian travel agents visiting Israel. That is a story in itself. I guide in German as well and you can imagine how that opens a whole other window for me as a guide, an Israeli and a Jew. But that too is a story by itself. Imagine a former Brooklyn yeshiva boy directing bus loads of Germans," Achtung, einsteigen!" Attention we are boarding! (gets lost in the translation) Always seems a bit surreal. A few years ago the Israel Ministry of infrastructure asked me to guide a high ranking Chinese delegation as they visited a number of Israel's world class and innovative industrial sites. I have never seen so many photos taken - so many notes jotted down. What an eye opener. Little Israel showing China how it is done. What a country! How do you say that in Chinese? But the most rewarding part of my job is the opportunity to guide Jewish students from abroad - like the thousands that have visited here through "Birthright" Knowing that most of these young people would not have made the trip if not for the unbeatable price, I realize that I have only a few precious days to make Israel a very relevant part of them and influence on the paths they choose in the future. Suddenly being part of the majority, meeting hundreds and thousands of fellow Jewish students in one place - a Jewish place. What an empowering, emotional moment. One that will be a reference point for years to come. Meeting with their peers, Israeli and American, mingling with a whole country of Jews - from all walks of life, is just the strong dose that these trips are intended to administer. Jewish bus drivers ,farmers, sanitation workers and national leaders present these young people with a country that is alive, has the deepest shared roots and offers the thrilling opportunity to identify with and share their hearts. To be part of something greater than ones self. Where the sum is greater than its parts. Bring these lovely young people to the trough and explain how wonderful the water is - and they will drink! One of my students studies in a graduate school for diplomatic studies. He is the only Jew on campus and has a number of Palestinian professors. Boy did he need this Israel trip! Then there was the young lady who never heard of Purim. We have a lot of work to do! Is there anything more rewarding than having a central role in the process of metamorphosis over a ten day period. How these young people bloom in a few intensive days. All in all, after twenty three years of guiding in Israel, I still feel that if all the world is a stage, Israel is the main act and I am honored with a great supporting role. What a country! In my job there is the danger of becoming a bit jaded.I am an independent tour guide in srael. I don't go to the office each morning as others do. When I am called upon to guide, my "office" is Israel. And so I say good morning to world famous sites as one would to a secretary or a co worker.It might be just that way if it were not for the eyes of my tourists. I really could take it all for granted - just part of a days work. I always say that envy"first timers" because that really is something to be experienced but once - like being young - only once. I felt that on my first visit in 1971, a long time ago. But I am blessed with the opportunity to experience it over again vicariously through my tourists. Over the last twenty three years I have shared this unique country with people of just about every background. Jew, Gentile, Israeli, American, European, Asian and even Arab! Yes, I was asked by the Israel Ministry of Tourism to guide the very first group of Jordanian travel agents visiting Israel. That is a story in itself. I guide in German as well and you can imagine how that opens a whole other window for me as a guide, an Israeli and a Jew. But that too is a story by itself. Imagine a former Brooklyn yeshiva boy directing bus loads of Germans,"Achtung,einsteigen!" Attention we are boarding! (gets lost in the translation) Always seems a bit surreal. A few years ago the Israel Ministry of infrastructure asked me to guide a high ranking Chinese delegation as they visited a number of Israel's world class and innovative industrial sites. I have never seen so many photos taken - so many notes jotted down. What an eye opener. Little Israel showing China how it is done. What a country! How do you say that in Chinese? But the most rewarding part of my job is the opportunity to guide Jewish students from abroad - like the thousands that have visited here through "Birthright" Knowing that most of these young people would not have made the trip if not for the unbeatable price, I realize that I have only a few precious days to make Israel a very relevant part of them and influence on the paths they choose in the future. Suddenly being part of the majority, meeting hundreds and thousands of fellow Jewish students in one place - a Jewish place. What an empowering, emotional moment. One that will be a reference point for years to come. Meeting with their peers, Israeli and American, mingling with a whole country of Jews - from all walks of life, is just the strong dose that these trips are intended to administer. Jewish bus drivers ,farmers, sanitation workers and national leaders present these young people with a country that is alive, has the deepest shared roots and offers the thrilling opportunity to identify with and share their hearts. To be part of something greater than ones self. Where the sum is greater than its parts. Bring these lovely young people to the trough and explain how wonderful the water is - and they will drink! One of my students studies in a graduate school for diplomatic studies. He is the only Jew on campus and has a number of Palestinian professors. Boy did he need this Israel trip! Then there was the young lady who never heard of Purim. We have a lot of work to do! Is there anything more rewarding than having a central role in the process of metamorphosis over a ten day period. How these young people bloom in a few intensive days. All in all, after twenty three years of guiding in Israel, I still feel that if all the world is a stage, Israel is the main act and I am honored with a great supporting role. What a country! Other articles:
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What A Job!