This trip to Israel takes 2 minutes

In an effort to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday, the Greater Rochester International Airport was turned into a mock family excursion featuring opportunities to learn about the world's only Jewish state.

CHILI — Jacob Rosenbloom, 8, traveled from Rochester to Tel Aviv in two minutes Sunday and entered his family's homeland of Israel. In an effort to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday, the Greater Rochester International Airport was turned into a mock family excursion featuring opportunities to learn about the world's only Jewish state. Local residents participated in various events, including a mock plane trip — which in real life would have taken 12 hours — taking passport pictures, exchanging 35 fake American dollars for 100 Israeli shekels and going on archaeological digs.

"I really liked the flying part," said Jacob, of Brighton. "And the free money." In addition, families had a chance to sample Israeli snacks, make a hamsa or mosaic jewelry and learn about basic military regimen, which was new to many children. The one-day passport to Israel offered community officials a chance to educate the public in a neutral, non-synagogue environment.

"We're excited to put on an event that anyone could feel comfortable attending," said Lisa Cline of Penfield, chairwoman of Jewish Family Education Committee at the Jewish Community Federation, which co-sponsored the event. "Plus this educates people about Israel because not everyone is going to get a chance to fly there."
Ari Crane, 15, is one of the lucky ones. The Brighton resident traveled to Israel last December for 10 days, already the third time in his lifetime that he's landed in the country. Playing the role of co-pilot in the simulated plane trip to Tel Aviv, he hopes visitors left with a sense of the country's rich history and traditions.

"I just loved everything about the country every time I go, and I learn something new each time," he said. "It's important to know where I came from, and it's important to teach other people who don't know much about what's going on overseas."
Ellie Rosenbloom jumped at the chance to show her two children, Jacob and Sam, 6, about the rich culture of their ancestors' homeland. She envisions taking her sons to the real country some day.

"Israel is such an interesting place, and we want to teach them that there is more to the world than just going to Disneyland," she said. (DemocratandChronicle)