Living Out Loud in Israel: The Truth About Aliyah with Marc Rosenberg of Nefesh B'Nefesh

I wanted to tell you about this book I read a few years ago, and it's written in the late, I'd say right after Herzl.

So we're talking about the late 1880s or so, 1890s.

And it's called The Wandering Jew.

And it's modeled after Tintin, who was this like little comic book guy who had traveled the world.

Anyway, this guy travels the world.

He decided to take the topic of Jews and he goes to Poland, Carpathian Mountains.

He goes through all the hovels and people in poverty and people getting beat up by Cossacks.

And he sees all these horrors.

And this is a non-Jew and he's just broken about it.

Then he gets to Israel.

And again, we're talking about Israel of the 1890s.

OK, and he goes, the Jews look different here.

They are strong and they don't bow their heads and they're not hunched over and they have pride.

And he goes back completely shook, saying these Jews need a state and he wants to help and whatever.

Eventually, he, of course, dies.

And I'm thinking how that hasn't changed.

There's something about a Jew living in Israel that lets you lift your head.

And I know when I get into JFK, I tell my kids, tuck in your tzitzit.

And I do the whole thing, even though I'm from New York.

I'm very well aware that I'm a guest here.

And something overtakes me where I'm like, just like blend in.

And my kids don't know what that means, thank God.

My kids have so much pride.

And when you said people want their children to be more Israeli, it's not only a life of service to me, it's a life of Jewish pride.

And I'm wondering, because I know that you see so many people, I'm wondering if you see them not just when they're making Aliyah, do you get to see them or be in touch with them throughout the years and see these changes and see this whole Israelification, if you will, happen?