Hawaiian Surfer Leaves Paradise to Join the Israeli Army

With all the reports in the news about how self-indulgent our youth have become, here’s the story of a young man (a U.S. citizen) who is leaving a comfortable life in Hawaii for a more vigorous life in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Hundreds of thousands of Americans make a similar decision every year when they join the U.S. Armed Forces. This struck me as a particularly interesting story. An excerpt:

Barak Argov, 19, the son of an Israeli father and an American mother has decided to leave the paradise in which he is leaving – Hawaii – and immigrate to Israel in order to join the Israel Defense Forces.

On December 21, Argov will make aliya sponsored by the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization which promotes immigration to Israel from North America and the UK. In Hawaii, Argov spends his days surfing, swimming and canoeing as a professional canoe sailor. His school’s sailing team is a long time Hawaii champion in the field.

“Granted I live in paradise, and I thank God for it but it’s time to take responsibility for my life and do something I’ve always dreamed of – to make aliya and join the army,” Argov said.

“Since I’m Jewish and the son of an ex-Israeli citizen I feel obligated to serve in the IDF. And in any case, the Israeli girls are the most beautiful girls in the world.”