Israel is a central component of Judaism. The land of Israel is mentioned on nearly every page of the Hebrew Bible and the Siddur, the Jewish community of Israel is the largest and nearly only Jewish community that is growing through natural increase, and the State of Israel embodies many Jewish hopes and dreams.

Visiting Israel is a wonderful idea. Eventually making Aliyah is a great plan.

But what is relatively cheap or free- and do-able now?

Reading everything you can on Israel - including online Israeli newspapers. Learn about Israel's history, culture, communities, etc. Become aware of some of the issues that face Israel today and how different Israeli groups approach them.

Learn Hebrew. There is all sorts of free stuff out there, but you will need more intensive studies to master the language. Start with the free stuff.

Read Israeli fiction. A lot of the good books have been translated. These are a few popular authors: Agnon, Meir Shalev, Haim Sabato, David Grossman, Eshkol Nevo, Amir Gutfruend. Many of thier books have been translated. Your public library should have them. My favorites are Agnon and Sabato. The latter is a neighbor of mine - and a Talmid Hakham, besides a talented writer.

Study Torah - especially Tanakh. It's filled with the Land of Israel.

If you write about what interests you, I'll suggest some websites and books.

I certainly was referring to the Land of Israel rather than the State of Israel when I referred to our classic sources. Practically speaking, the State of Israel is what makes the Land of Israel a place where Jews can be re-gathered and build a Jewish society.

Several rabbis, among them Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, both of blessed memory, would never say "Israel" - but rather "Eretz Yisrael" or "Medinat Yisrael" depending on the context. That certainly avoids confusion.