Culture  Sports
Surfing his way to Israel
Itamar Eichner
Published: 19.12.10, 19:09
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27 Talkbacks for this article
1. Good luck. Don't forget, serving in the IDF serves USA too.
Omri ,   Israel   (12.19.10)
2. THIS GUY NEEDS HELP
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.19.10)
Send him to Zefat with all the other lunatics.
3. From Hawaii to the Holy Land
Alison ,   Haifa, Israel   (12.19.10)
It is commendable for Barak to choose to make aliyah and serve in the IDF! I myself grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii, and found it ostensibly difficult for my family to instill in me a Jewish identity, due to the small towns, and isolated communities. I have recently made aliyah, and find the longer I am here, I find myself thinking my upbringing in Hawaii and drawing similarities on a daily basis. I wish the best for Mr. Argov, and while the sea is nothing compared to the sparkling Pacific, there are still some pretty sick surf spots.
4. Once again, oh puh-lease....
Baruch ,   Marin County, CA   (12.19.10)
Oh please, people. Stop perpetuating the myth of the god-like Israeli soldier with his statuesque poise and superhuman abilities... Lissen up, I knew guys who after they survived being shot at in Lebanon had the worst cases of PTSD I had ever seen, including my own from having been among the original settlers in the territories for several years... Enough is enough already. I guess everyone has already forgotten about how those Shyetet 13 guys were pummeled aboard the Gaza-bound ship, and all they had to protect themselves with were paint ball guns... Gimme a break... But the guy's hot. He should try for a modeling career in Tel Aviv. The guys in Tzahal will hate him for his good looks. He'll get all the women. Just watch.
5. Lawrence you need help
Joe Frazier   (12.19.10)
There would be no Israel without people like him.
6. #4 Baruch
John ,   Accra,Ghana   (12.19.10)
I agree with you.
7. Kole Hacavode. I am doing the same though my
Joseph ,   Northern Israel   (12.19.10)
6 pack needs a little work, right now it smore like a 6 ounce of 1 can..lol! Am Yisrael Chai! Beautiful to touch history like we are doing, and thus shaping the FUTURE! Awesome!
8. It would be better if he spends couple of years
Ben ,   USA   (12.19.10)
first in a yeshiva.
9. I hope
olim hadashim ,   tel aviv/israel   (12.19.10)
that this wonderful idealistic young man is not spoiled in the greedy materialistic atmosphere here.
10. #4 not talking about any myths here
Omri ,   Israel   (12.19.10)
all this story does is come to show that Israelis feel connected to their country and take pride in serving. Relatively speaking.
11. What an idiot one born every minute
Haim ,   Tel aviv   (12.19.10)
gee i see they got to brain wash this poor kid somehow.
12. #2 - why don't you make yerida?
michael redbourn ,   Arad Israel   (12.20.10)
For those that don't know, "yerida" is the opposite of "aliyah". Lawerence #2 could go to .. America - well "no" the economic situation is terrible. Europe? - well "no" it's soon to be Muslim. Let's find a place for him and similar people with very negative thoughts. Michael
13. #8 Ben
David ,   America   (12.20.10)
What makes you think he needs years in yeshiva? Because he spent his life in Hawaii and not surrounded by the black hats? He seems to know enough to realize he should serve. Try teaching that to the ultra orthodox first.
14. Let the Goy fight America's wars
Sure ,   NYC   (12.20.10)
Even the ones pushed for by your ilk, like in Iraq and the one you'll love the goy to die for, in Iran.
15. People need a sense of purpose
Mike   (12.20.10)
You can have everything and give it up in exchange for purpose.
16. #10, Omri - Lissen up...
Baruch ,   Marin County, CA   (12.20.10)
Lissen up, dude. I served. I offered more than I should have actually considering what I got out of it. And what do we have from all of this, huh? What do we have? Tell me. We have young people who it seems are always being prepared for the worst rather than looking forward to the best that life has to offer. Yes, we are defined by our wars. It's true. I'm not denying that. But what are we gaining from it? Are we simply glorifying these events as part of our courageousness or as being a clever way of denying the horrors of war and the day-to-day, grinding injustices brought on by it all. Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. In order to be a real Jew I have to swear by these things we hold so dear that have gotten us ... hmm, let's see - where exactly? The Pals ain't going nowhere anytime soon, and the settlers are still by and large a homogenous encampment of religious nationalists. I just want to know once and for all what all this b.s. is about. All I want is a straight answer. Is this land ours, or what? And if it is ours, then by God almighty let's make it so. Otherwise, enough is enough with all the big, brave talk about our greatness and strength. Thank you very much.
17. Why is this eve news?
Brian ,   Tel Aviv   (12.20.10)
Thousands make Aliya. Many have even less roots here than this guy. Why is this even news? His dad left the country - and probably is skipping out on his army service. Is his mom Jewish? Why does this constitute as news?
18. There
(12.20.10)
19. There's a big aliyah underway from the US, UK and France
michael peterson ,   London UK   (12.20.10)
My daughter, her husband and their 3 children recently made aliyah from the U.S. I knew that the aliyah figures have been soaring from several countries, and the moving guys in Israel told me that they've noticed a big increase in Anglos. The US is looking at bankruptcy in 2020 and much of Europe is on the ropes because of their economies and Islam, so why would making aliyah be a bad idea? Schools in Hawaii are now on a 4 day week!
20. #17 Why?
Talula ,   Israel   (12.20.10)
Because day in and day out we are bombarded with bad and even worse news. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!!! So when something nice happens, such as this boy wanting to come and serve in the IDF, it makes nice reading and puts a smile on your face instead of tears in your eyes. You miserable old Sod!
21. No. 14 Sure
NYC Girl   (12.20.10)
It just so happens that Ariel Sharon counseled George Bush NOT to attack Iraq because it would come back to bite us and strengthen Iranian influence in the region. I know it's very tempting for people like you to believe the crap about the Iraq war being fought for Israel, but Saddam Hussein was never Israel's biggest problem and the Israelis never pretended he was. Not only that, but we fought the Gulf War to protect Kuwait and Saudi Arabia because of the oil. But if the Israelis hadn't taken out the Osirak reactor, our military would have really been up shit's creek.
22. ALOHA SUCKER..
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.20.10)
23. Both my Canadian born sons are in Israel today
Al   (12.20.10)
serving in the IDF. They could have easily stayed in Canada and pretended like most Jewish kids here do. However they chose to participate in the greatest Jewish adventure since biblical days. If any of you cant get your head around that then by all means get the friggin hell out of Israel and take your raggedy sorry ass parents with you. Israel is for those Jews who can and will, all the others can go to the golus, team up with goyim and piss off. I couldnt care less whether you agree with me or not..Israel will be a great wealthy nation all within the next 10 years.
24. Well done Argov, well done.
Israeli citizen ,   Israel   (12.21.10)
I also moved to Israel from Canada 3 years ago. You will do just fine and we are proud of you. Israel needs as many Jews as it can get!!!
25. Quote from his Facebook page:
Jessica ,   Tel Aviv   (12.23.10)
"If I do not learn hebrew within the 5 months I am given, I will be getting coffee for everyone when I join the military. Fantastic." Yes Barak, welcome to Israel.
26. Way to Go
Jim Steele ,   Holytown Galillee   (12.23.10)
and glad to have you on board. This is the real home you always wanted. Your home.
27. Look at him...
Sharon   (12.25.10)
Just look at that half-naked pic of him. He's mighty impressed w/himself. He'll fit in quite nicely w/the rest of the Israeli men...not that there's anything wrong w/that.
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