All of this enhanced airport screening reminds me of an experience way before September 11, 2001.
As many of us who have friends in Israel, it is not uncommon for a friend to ask you to take a package or a gift over to a loved one in Israel.
One year, my wife and I took baby clothes over to a friend’s relative.
Another time, we were asked to bring over 10 boxes of Shake N Bake chicken coating to another friend.
I think it would be a fun story to write the items that some of us have transported for friends.
For me, the best one, occurred while we were still living in Detroit. A friend was instrumental in the creation of youth baseball leagues in Israel. So when he came to me and asked me if I’d take over a few things, I never thought I’d get the duffle bag that was left at my front door.
I looked in the duffle bag, and there was literally a heavy rubber home plate, three bases, a few gloves, some metal bats and of course, baseballs.
My first thought was, “this weighs a ton.” But my second thought, was “Oy, how am I going to explain this to the El Al security people?” I don’t know about you, but when they start asking me questions about the name of Hebrew School teacher or the last Jewish holiday, I go into early stages of forgetfulness.
How was I going to explain baseballs, bases, gloves, bats and home plate?
The moment of truth arrived. The guy asked me if I had packed my own bags or if I had accepted a bag from someone else. I told him everything.
“No.
“I’ve got a bag of baseball equipment.”
For the security guy, a nice young man, this was obviously a first. He looked into the bag, called over a supervisor.
I was asked where I was taking the baseball equipment. I told them I had to take it to a youth baseball league at the YMCA in Jerusalem.
I thought they were then going to quiz me about baseball trivia, and the whole trip to Israel would come down to naming someone Jewish other than Sandy Koufax or Hank Greenberg in the Major Leagues.
But after they looked at the equipment. I packed it back up, and all I know is home plate made it to the home land.
Now, if this had happened after September 11, 2001, I don’t think first base would have gotten through.
And who could blame anyone for that? I mean, metal bats and balls become expendable when there’s a security risk.
It’s a shame, though, that we even have to worry about something like this.
I remember reaching into the duffle bag on the YMCA field and pulling out a baseball glove and giving it away to one of the kids there.
It was all just a perfect fit.

I once brought an entire frozen solid corned beef to friends in Israel.  The wonderful guys at Wasserman wrapped it up really well for me, I froze it, and stuffed it into my bag.  It made it to Modi’in with no problem!