America’s final four states through Israeli eyes - comment

Herb Keinon shares a personal narrative about fulfilling a lifelong ambition: to visit all 48 contiguous United States. Having grown up with a romanticized view of America's open roads, inspired by folk singers and Beat Generation writers, Keinon had long dreamed of a coast-to-coast journey. However, parental restrictions in his youth and later life commitments prevented him from completing this goal.

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‘Who wants to go on a road trip in the US?” I asked my kids on a recent Shabbat afternoon.

Now in his seventies, only four states remained on his list: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Vermont. He humorously notes his avoidance of Vermont due to political disagreements and the actions of a popular ice cream brand. A recent speaking tour provided a narrow window of opportunity, connecting scheduled appearances in California and New Jersey.

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Mine, for as long as I can remember, was to visit all 48 contiguous states.

Keinon successfully arranged a speaking engagement in Oklahoma City through the Jewish Federation there. Although less successful in finding similar opportunities in Arkansas and Mississippi, he proceeded with the trip, flying from Los Angeles to Memphis and spending three days traversing these states. He describes the experience of seeing the Ozarks as unforgettable, challenging his previous association of Arkansas with the unsettling movie "Deliverance."

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Now, well into my seventh decade, only four states remained: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Vermont.

The author reflects on the importance of avoiding the romanticization of America, a lesson learned partly from his wife and his own experiences. He suggests that a successful aliyah (immigration to Israel) involves maintaining a balanced perspective, not glorifying the U.S. at Israel's expense. This journey through the less-traveled states offered a different lens through which to view America, distinct from the perspective gained from living in Israel.

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I’ve avoided Vermont since Bernie Sanders began ranting against Israel and Ben & Jerry’s turned against us, but I’ll eventually get there since it’s only an afternoon drive from New York and Sanders won’t be around forever.