A friend in Cambridge, Massachusetts sent me this: "As'ad, this is a verbatim piece of a conversation I overheard in Cambridge today, between a Birthright Israel recruiter and a possible
candidate.
Recruiter: Think of this not as going to Israel, but as starting a relationship with Israel. This is your first date. If it doesn't work out, not a big deal. But if it does work out, think of the relationship you could develop. This is your first date."