There is a famous story which is attributed to several
different gedolim of a previous generation. The way
the story goes, a European Rosh Yeshiva of note went to
collect money in pre-World War II America, and was ushered
into one nicely furnished living room after another. Upon
returning to the yeshiva, he was asked what he had seen in
the States. "They have something very unusual -- an entire
room devoted to wasting time."
A more recent American innovation is the theme park: acres of
land devoted to wasting time.
For many years, we lived in the part of Southern California
which boasts of not one, but two of America's most popular
theme parks. Even if you are not acquainted with theme parks,
the name "Disneyland" may be familiar. Disneyland is a
massive enterprise which bills itself as the "happiest place
on Earth."
It includes amusement park rides, fantasy backdrops for
picture taking, food booths, restaurants and shops, a parade
and fireworks. It is also a very expensive way to waste a
whole day or more.
Several of our friends and relatives from outside California
came to visit us over the years. Of course, they included a
trip to Disneyland on their itinerary. As their hostess, I
usually ended up driving them to Disneyland early on one of
the mornings of their stay and picking them up late that
evening.
It was not unusual in those pre-cell phone days to spend half
an hour or more waiting for the people whom you had arranged
to pick up in some predesignated spot.
Therefore, I had the opportunity to see many, many families
leaving this self-proclaimed utopia. A typical scene looked
something like this: Mom and Dad came marching out of the
park's exit, each with one or more child/ren in tow. The
children were tired and cranky.
On the way out, the parents were suddenly overwhelmed with
the realization that they had dropped well over $100 and
sometimes twice or three times that amount on one ridiculous
day of standing in umpteen lines, baking in the hot sun,
consuming lots of junk foods and carbonated sugar water, all
to take a few roller coaster and other `fun' rides.
Interspersed with the rides were shops selling such must-have
souvenirs as stuffed animals, hats with Mickey Mouse cars,
figurines, cassette tapes and postcards. The price of the day
rose in direct proportion to the parents' embarrassment as
junior screamed and pointed at the merchandise in one shop
after another.
As they say in the States: "And a good time was had by
all."
When we arrived in Israel, we were delighted to see that
Israelis had more sense than Americans when it came to summer
fun. At that time, hiking in any of the many lovely national
parks was the most popular family day trip. In addition,
there were many historical sites to visit.
The best part of all was the cost of vacationing. Bus tickets
were very reasonable, as were admission costs. However,
Israel has been busy emulating the West in many areas, and
vacations seem to be on the catch-up list. There are
beautiful color ads for hotel vacations complete with spa
treatments, gourmet dining and all-star musical
entertainment. For those who don't go for resorts, there are
water parks, amusement parks, and shopping malls of every
type.
However, the `fun' doesn't start there. At the end of each
school year, each child brings home a nice letter informing
the parents about the upcoming class trip.
When we lived in the States, the single letter from school
that every parent most dreaded was the one from the school
nurse informing you that your child had head lice and she
couldn't come back to class until she was nit-free. The shock
of receiving that missive pales compared to the reaction of
the average Israeli family to the "class trip" letter. It is
the last paragraph which is the killer -- the one that tells
you how much the trip is going to cost and the deadline for
sending the money.
Figure it out. If your children are born fairly close
together, you can have six to ten children in school at the
same time. That means six to ten times the price of one
expensive class trip suddenly coming out of your already
tight budget all within a month's time.
If the American families at the theme park had trouble saying
`No' to their children at the souvenir shop, that was nothing
compared to the dilemma of saying to an Israeli child,
"Sorry, dear, but we don't have money for you to go on the
class trip."
What we need is a well-planned, concerted effort by the
parents to make this upcoming school year different. If we
start early enough, then no teacher will say to the students,
"If everyone learns really well this year, we are going to go
on a wonderful class trip."
Nipped in the bud, the class trip can then be vetoed by all
of the parents in a well-orchestrated group effort. Why spend
a huge amount on a one-day vacation as part of the ritual of
getting ready for summer vacation?
There are many alternative ways of telling our children that
we are proud of their school achievements. Each child can
receive a lovely certificate signed by both the teacher and
the principal attesting to a job well done.
In addition, there can be a super crafts project for the
younger children wherein they make something small but
special to take home and cherish. Perhaps a snapshot of the
child in a creative, child-made frame.
The older children can have a class party complete with
balloons, simple refreshments and party games such as
charades. The oldest girls can put on a class skit. All of
these end-of-school activities are done routinely in the
States, and all cost a very small fraction of a class
trip.
I know that there will be people who read this and say, "Oh,
but I liked the class trips so much. I want my children to
have that opportunity, also." If you have an unlimited budget
and love trips, then good, take your little darlings kayaking
and maybe invite a friend or two.
As an amazing convenience, right after the week that is
usually devoted to class trips, the school will provide for
your child a nice long summer vacation in which you can do
all the touring your heart desires.
Bon voyage!
