In a reflective piece, the author recounts a conversation in a gym locker room that sparks a deeper discussion about the state of Israeli society and identity. He critiques the influence of secular, left-leaning elites in shaping public opinion and education, arguing that they have sought to distance the country from its Jewish roots and traditions. The author laments the loss of religious and cultural heritage among immigrants, particularly those from North Africa and the Middle East, due to pressures to assimilate into a more secular, Westernized society. Despite concerns about emigration and the desire for a more 'normal' life abroad, the author expresses hope in a new generation of Jews committed to preserving and revitalizing the country's Jewish character.