Several years ago I flew from Miami to Tel Aviv on El Al Airlines. Right after I got my ticket at the El Al counter, and long before I got anywhere near the airplane, a young woman from the airline gave me the third degree. Where did I live? What synagogue did I go to? What were the names of other members of my family? Why was I going to Israel? What was my name translated into Hebrew? And those were just a few of her annoying questions.