I thought that once I came back from Israel and reflected on all my blogs that I was done with this holy land adventure, I was wrong.
Since returning we have heard from many new voices from Lehigh and beyond and I have read articles including an amazing issue by Time Magazine on the holy land.
Today via Twitter I read this article and learned of a startling political move made in Israel by Netanyahu and Mofaz...forming a unity government. It makes me think back to a previous post about "democracy" and what that means and if Israel is a democracy (through the eyes of someone who lives in the world's largest democracy, but I will admit it isn't ideal and has it's issues as well).
Upon sending this to Seth (the classes professor and Rabbi) he equated this move to Obama and Romney joining forces to create a new third party at this point in our election process. That seems crazy to think of in the US no? I mean I guess Obama could take Romney as his VP running mate (or vice versa) and run under which ever of the two parties they came to agreement on. And other parties do pop up from time to time and work to make an impact for their believes like our own Tea Party. I am not saying that we are right or wrong but I seem to find comfort in our checks and balances here. I am sure that it is money that is really talking behind many of our political decisions and alliances, and as an advocate for social justice that is hard to admit, though I do cognitively accept that reality, my heart hurts because of it. I am not sure I understand either parties nominating committee policies, or the electoral college (in fact the skeptic in me leans to believing that those bodies of power were created to keep the powerful in power) but what I do believe is that when there is so little structure and oversight that one candidate (or two in this situation) has enough power, authority and ability to make a decision like Netanyahu and Mofaz were able to make is scares me. It makes me think that while that power could be used for the good, it seems that more likely that level of power and persuasion is usually used to oppress others, for what a few think are the common good but likely in retrospect it will not be seen that way by many. Shocking...that statement coming from my brain based off a decision made by those in power in a country that largely believes that is stands today as the rightful home for those to return to that were the targets of oppression that started similar to this. This sentiment is one common view to the conflict in this area. I also admit that I learned first hand when I was there that when you live surrounded by constant fear and anxiety about what "might" happen that could cause tragedy, it is hard to view things objectively and without skepticism for the other.
So what is the take home message of this post...I believe when in Israel I called this what is the change? I am uncertain accept to reiterate that I am blessed to live where I do and to have the rights and freedoms that I do, we are not perfect but we are stable and that stability, system and order came from a place of common persecution that individuals shared with each other. It sound cliche but that is what founded our country and the more I think about it the more I look back on my history classes in my K-12 education and wish that I had this perspective then, I think I would have been inspired to learn more and understand the need for learning what I was being taught. History does repeat itself, that can be a good thing, or it can be a tragic thing....I just pray for those I met in Israel & Palestine that they can learn from history and move forward to create a future that will be worthy of repeating, not one or perpetual terror and oppression.
In surprise move, Netanyahu, Mofaz agree to form unity government, cancel early elections - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Reflecting...NOT a life changing experience???
I realize the title is going to get much attention, so I will explain, stay with me! First I want to remind you all what the "angle" for my blog. To change a few things was the "angle" I put it out in my second blog. I stated that I was using the blog as a tool to explore how this trip would change me as a professional, as a Christian and as a citizen of the larger world. I tried to end most every entry with the changing perspective the days touring Israel impressed upon me. At the very bottom of this final entry you can find the "reflection" excerpts from each day.
So after two full days back home someone finally asked me the million dollar question, "Was it a life changing experience?" Now many had asked me if it was amazing, if I had a good time, if it was worth it, what I liked the best (as if that is ever possible to answer) but no one up until 4pm on Monday 3/12 had asked me if it was "life changing." I was stumped, more so because I knew I couldn't say yes, but I wasn't sure why exactly, so my response was "I think it could be." After reflecting on that moment I have come to fully understand my hesitation to answer the question and the appropriate answer for me.
So let me explain now, "Was it a life changing experience?" My answer is definitively, "No, is was life affirming." You may be thinking that this is semantics, but it is actually a very different answer and one I am owing very deliberately as uniquely my answer.
This trip was not a mecca, it wasn't the haag, with wasn't a Christian rite of passage, it wasn't a homecoming to a land that I have some historical right to-though for many it is this very type of experience. For me the clarity began when I shed a few tears in the security line as Yael was leaving (and as they well in my eyes now typing this) and fully emerged when reflection on this question. I was ready to leave, though I was going to miss the people and parts of my life that those 10 days had amazingly occupied. I was ready to leave though-why? Because I was ready to come back to my life-my free, non-security walled/barriered life. My life where thought it is criticized (perhaps scrutinized or debated are a better words) separates the state and religion, in the name of democracy for the people. My life where a constitution and amendments dictate how I am ruled over-not the whims of changing parties and agendas. My life where I pay my taxes (as do all-now we can argue over who should pay more or less) as does everyone else and those that gain governmental social program benefits from those taxes are not guiding the governmental agenda (WOW-that sounds like a great case for keeping societal privilege in tact). It is MY LIFE and I am ultimately in control of it and never have to think about the security with which I can live my life or at what point my life might be rocked by an unstable faction or agenda.
So after that tangential rant you might still be thinking, "What is life affirming?" My life was not changed by this trip. I was able to do amazing and privileged things. I was able to see historically and religious monumental and contentious sites. I was a participant in an experience that showed me that ultimately, at the end of the day, my life is amazing and that many folks would love to be able to come back to or step into my life and it is mine (lucky me!). I feel steadfast for the first time in a long time. I am in a place that while I could find 100 things wrong with it at any given moment, at that same moment there are 100 million things that are positive, amazing and worth celebrating that I don't take the time to consider (but that others would love to have even one shot at having). I learned a ton, and am grateful beyond words that I individually reflected each day in my blog (thank you for the idea Kati Pease) because I will have that to look back on when I might be a bit too focused on one of those 100 things that are wrong.
I am back and I don't want to be a different me. I don't want to be a new me. I am not a changed me. I am a me that is blessed and grateful for the me that I am and all those around me that have had and continue to have a part in the making and support of me daily. I don't want to be someone else, I want to be me-wherever that me goes, whatever that me learns, whoever that me connects to, however that me happens upon those things is not a result of the actions of me. It is a result of the work and will of His plan for me. All I can do is stand fast to the belief that He knows who me really is and all will be taken care of for me.
So no, the trip was not life changing...it was BETTER, it was life affirming!
I think this about wraps up my entries for Israel: Jess' Holy Adventure. Thank you all for reading my thoughts-I hope some of them have spurred you on to think about the "changes" that can occur in your life and I hope the entries have left you questions upon questions, and few answers!
One last Hebrew word of the day for you all...I will sign off with "Shalom haver" just at Bill Clinton did in his eulogy for Yitzhak Rabin's funeral in 1995. Clinton said, "goodbye friend" and to you all I say "goodbye friends."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A chronicle of my daily "what has changed today" reflections:
Reflection 1...
I was confronted with a few personal thoughts today, many centering around cultural otherness and privilege. A few times I found myself looking for a more polite and customer service oriented perspective from cashiers or museum attendants. We were told that Israelis are a blunt people and I found myself judging that cultural bluntness in my head as rude or disrespectful. That is a very American perspective to take and one that I then found myself reflecting on as it would happen. I also thought a few times about the statistics or generalizations Yael, our guide, would make. I was crtically pondering in my head, how much of this is her individual interpretation as a secular Jew (as she disclosed) and an individual citizen of Israel versus the reality of all people. Yeal has been guiding tours for 15 years so I would imagine she is very knowledgeable though I do find myself using a critical lens to interpret the information she gives us.
Reflection 2...
How would you answer these questions (posed by Gershom), or better yet do you feel like you have enough background to be able to answer them? I know I didn't feel like I could last night, but now I feel like as a part of my change mantra it is a duty to help others begin to explore them, and because I think a part of my constant change is to feel more capable and confident with religion and my ability to critique it and accept what I believe as a result of the education and critique.
Reflection 3...
I want to live my life in a fashion that allows me to experience more totally bone chilling and awe inspiring moments.
Reflection 4...
DON'T WASTE THE TIME WITH DISCONTENTMENT! I want to be a more optomistic person, carpe diem, be in the moment and not be critical.
Reflection 5...
think we are all right and we are all wrong at the same time. I think that is is ludicrous for a church to ask you to declare your statement of faith after going through a few classes about their history and that any person can know what that is by the time the are in high school. Well, at least it was for me, maybe not for some, but I know when I was that age I was just saying what I thought I had been told, but didn't know what I believed or why or if it was even my belief or someone else's. Below is what I believe, and I would like to say that it is a Christian belief, though I am sure some could argue that (see Geopoltical Tour & Via Dolorosa Blog for more on my Christian faith).
Reflection 6...
I think more than anything it is that the power of the narrative and hearing the experience of others is so important. And to recognize that just when you think you have figured out a solution or where you stand there is a great chance that you will hear something that could sway you and to be open to that message. I think we all too often close our minds and believe we have all the information we need. So I would like to continue telling myself to ask questions and seek out opposite opinions and thought so I can be sure that I am making my decisions in a truly informed way and I am not letting the propaganda that is clever or heartfelt cloud by ability to think independently.
Reflection 7....
I think more than anything I remembered today how lucky I feel to be doing the professional work that I am. In my small way I am trying to help educate students how to be more critical thinkers and to listen first to understand others and then to be understood yourself. I also hope that students are learning that there is more to leadership than being a outspoken person with a title, I aim to really impress on them the ideas that true change comes from anyone with a passion and that you don't need a formal title to lead, you just need to authentically you and integrate your values into your everyday life (integrity). Seeing the passion the Encounter participants had made me remember that the more passion and feeling you put into your work the more others will be excited and engaged by it and want to participate in your mission with you.
Reflection 8...
Well I think more than anything I was reminded of the importance of actively seeking out opinions and individual stories that are missing or not represented in a group and then truly giving them a time to speak their perspective and story. I think this is always valued, or said to be valued, in my profession, though I think that at times it gets overlooked or given a nod to but that those people aren't engaged in a true way. This is very important as I look toward the future of my office and were we are going to make sure we engage all perspectives. I am also reminded that beauty is everywhere around us and that you should truly take the time to stop and enjoy it and not take for granted the experiences we have in front of us.
Reflection 9...
Well I think the best way I can describe it is that you have to know what is important to you in all aspects of your life, and be open to certain events really shaping who you become and the path that you take because often it is not what you would have expected but is the one that you are being called to do for reasons you do not understand (and the Christian in me in the holy land says that this is one way that God can work in your life).
Reflection 10...
There are some issues that are very difficult and that can not be easily figured out but they can not be avoided. The avoidance of a conflict, or the acceptance of living in conflict is a way to perpetuate the conflict and unpleasant circumstances as a result. Now if you know me at all you know that I HATE CONFLICT, but if nothing else this trip has taught me the value of directness and that avoiding conflict doesn't get you anywhere productive.
Reflection 11...
Unexplainable things happen everywhere and every day (like ancient biblical writing being sold in the NY times, like a huge city being built atop a giant plateau with now modern equipment, people choose to die at their own hands rather than facing an fate that seems worse than death, and a place that is considered dead can produce valuable exports and products) who are we to make judgements on those things. They occurred for a reason and not everything needs to be explained by scientific fact or written history-sometimes things just occur as part of a grander plan for reasons unable to be understood or interpreted in the present time. I think I need to be more open to this idea and accepting that for me God is the larger force guiding this plan and that as long as I am moving in his path I am doing what I should be.
Reflection 12....
I am just realy happy to be heading back to my personal mode of transportation, shower, BED, non-smelly EVERYTHING space and my life
So after two full days back home someone finally asked me the million dollar question, "Was it a life changing experience?" Now many had asked me if it was amazing, if I had a good time, if it was worth it, what I liked the best (as if that is ever possible to answer) but no one up until 4pm on Monday 3/12 had asked me if it was "life changing." I was stumped, more so because I knew I couldn't say yes, but I wasn't sure why exactly, so my response was "I think it could be." After reflecting on that moment I have come to fully understand my hesitation to answer the question and the appropriate answer for me.
So let me explain now, "Was it a life changing experience?" My answer is definitively, "No, is was life affirming." You may be thinking that this is semantics, but it is actually a very different answer and one I am owing very deliberately as uniquely my answer.
This trip was not a mecca, it wasn't the haag, with wasn't a Christian rite of passage, it wasn't a homecoming to a land that I have some historical right to-though for many it is this very type of experience. For me the clarity began when I shed a few tears in the security line as Yael was leaving (and as they well in my eyes now typing this) and fully emerged when reflection on this question. I was ready to leave, though I was going to miss the people and parts of my life that those 10 days had amazingly occupied. I was ready to leave though-why? Because I was ready to come back to my life-my free, non-security walled/barriered life. My life where thought it is criticized (perhaps scrutinized or debated are a better words) separates the state and religion, in the name of democracy for the people. My life where a constitution and amendments dictate how I am ruled over-not the whims of changing parties and agendas. My life where I pay my taxes (as do all-now we can argue over who should pay more or less) as does everyone else and those that gain governmental social program benefits from those taxes are not guiding the governmental agenda (WOW-that sounds like a great case for keeping societal privilege in tact). It is MY LIFE and I am ultimately in control of it and never have to think about the security with which I can live my life or at what point my life might be rocked by an unstable faction or agenda.
So after that tangential rant you might still be thinking, "What is life affirming?" My life was not changed by this trip. I was able to do amazing and privileged things. I was able to see historically and religious monumental and contentious sites. I was a participant in an experience that showed me that ultimately, at the end of the day, my life is amazing and that many folks would love to be able to come back to or step into my life and it is mine (lucky me!). I feel steadfast for the first time in a long time. I am in a place that while I could find 100 things wrong with it at any given moment, at that same moment there are 100 million things that are positive, amazing and worth celebrating that I don't take the time to consider (but that others would love to have even one shot at having). I learned a ton, and am grateful beyond words that I individually reflected each day in my blog (thank you for the idea Kati Pease) because I will have that to look back on when I might be a bit too focused on one of those 100 things that are wrong.
I am back and I don't want to be a different me. I don't want to be a new me. I am not a changed me. I am a me that is blessed and grateful for the me that I am and all those around me that have had and continue to have a part in the making and support of me daily. I don't want to be someone else, I want to be me-wherever that me goes, whatever that me learns, whoever that me connects to, however that me happens upon those things is not a result of the actions of me. It is a result of the work and will of His plan for me. All I can do is stand fast to the belief that He knows who me really is and all will be taken care of for me.
So no, the trip was not life changing...it was BETTER, it was life affirming!
I think this about wraps up my entries for Israel: Jess' Holy Adventure. Thank you all for reading my thoughts-I hope some of them have spurred you on to think about the "changes" that can occur in your life and I hope the entries have left you questions upon questions, and few answers!
One last Hebrew word of the day for you all...I will sign off with "Shalom haver" just at Bill Clinton did in his eulogy for Yitzhak Rabin's funeral in 1995. Clinton said, "goodbye friend" and to you all I say "goodbye friends."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A chronicle of my daily "what has changed today" reflections:
Reflection 1...
I was confronted with a few personal thoughts today, many centering around cultural otherness and privilege. A few times I found myself looking for a more polite and customer service oriented perspective from cashiers or museum attendants. We were told that Israelis are a blunt people and I found myself judging that cultural bluntness in my head as rude or disrespectful. That is a very American perspective to take and one that I then found myself reflecting on as it would happen. I also thought a few times about the statistics or generalizations Yael, our guide, would make. I was crtically pondering in my head, how much of this is her individual interpretation as a secular Jew (as she disclosed) and an individual citizen of Israel versus the reality of all people. Yeal has been guiding tours for 15 years so I would imagine she is very knowledgeable though I do find myself using a critical lens to interpret the information she gives us.
Reflection 2...
How would you answer these questions (posed by Gershom), or better yet do you feel like you have enough background to be able to answer them? I know I didn't feel like I could last night, but now I feel like as a part of my change mantra it is a duty to help others begin to explore them, and because I think a part of my constant change is to feel more capable and confident with religion and my ability to critique it and accept what I believe as a result of the education and critique.
Reflection 3...
I want to live my life in a fashion that allows me to experience more totally bone chilling and awe inspiring moments.
Reflection 4...
DON'T WASTE THE TIME WITH DISCONTENTMENT! I want to be a more optomistic person, carpe diem, be in the moment and not be critical.
Reflection 5...
think we are all right and we are all wrong at the same time. I think that is is ludicrous for a church to ask you to declare your statement of faith after going through a few classes about their history and that any person can know what that is by the time the are in high school. Well, at least it was for me, maybe not for some, but I know when I was that age I was just saying what I thought I had been told, but didn't know what I believed or why or if it was even my belief or someone else's. Below is what I believe, and I would like to say that it is a Christian belief, though I am sure some could argue that (see Geopoltical Tour & Via Dolorosa Blog for more on my Christian faith).
Reflection 6...
I think more than anything it is that the power of the narrative and hearing the experience of others is so important. And to recognize that just when you think you have figured out a solution or where you stand there is a great chance that you will hear something that could sway you and to be open to that message. I think we all too often close our minds and believe we have all the information we need. So I would like to continue telling myself to ask questions and seek out opposite opinions and thought so I can be sure that I am making my decisions in a truly informed way and I am not letting the propaganda that is clever or heartfelt cloud by ability to think independently.
Reflection 7....
I think more than anything I remembered today how lucky I feel to be doing the professional work that I am. In my small way I am trying to help educate students how to be more critical thinkers and to listen first to understand others and then to be understood yourself. I also hope that students are learning that there is more to leadership than being a outspoken person with a title, I aim to really impress on them the ideas that true change comes from anyone with a passion and that you don't need a formal title to lead, you just need to authentically you and integrate your values into your everyday life (integrity). Seeing the passion the Encounter participants had made me remember that the more passion and feeling you put into your work the more others will be excited and engaged by it and want to participate in your mission with you.
Reflection 8...
Well I think more than anything I was reminded of the importance of actively seeking out opinions and individual stories that are missing or not represented in a group and then truly giving them a time to speak their perspective and story. I think this is always valued, or said to be valued, in my profession, though I think that at times it gets overlooked or given a nod to but that those people aren't engaged in a true way. This is very important as I look toward the future of my office and were we are going to make sure we engage all perspectives. I am also reminded that beauty is everywhere around us and that you should truly take the time to stop and enjoy it and not take for granted the experiences we have in front of us.
Reflection 9...
Well I think the best way I can describe it is that you have to know what is important to you in all aspects of your life, and be open to certain events really shaping who you become and the path that you take because often it is not what you would have expected but is the one that you are being called to do for reasons you do not understand (and the Christian in me in the holy land says that this is one way that God can work in your life).
Reflection 10...
There are some issues that are very difficult and that can not be easily figured out but they can not be avoided. The avoidance of a conflict, or the acceptance of living in conflict is a way to perpetuate the conflict and unpleasant circumstances as a result. Now if you know me at all you know that I HATE CONFLICT, but if nothing else this trip has taught me the value of directness and that avoiding conflict doesn't get you anywhere productive.
Reflection 11...
Unexplainable things happen everywhere and every day (like ancient biblical writing being sold in the NY times, like a huge city being built atop a giant plateau with now modern equipment, people choose to die at their own hands rather than facing an fate that seems worse than death, and a place that is considered dead can produce valuable exports and products) who are we to make judgements on those things. They occurred for a reason and not everything needs to be explained by scientific fact or written history-sometimes things just occur as part of a grander plan for reasons unable to be understood or interpreted in the present time. I think I need to be more open to this idea and accepting that for me God is the larger force guiding this plan and that as long as I am moving in his path I am doing what I should be.
Reflection 12....
I am just realy happy to be heading back to my personal mode of transportation, shower, BED, non-smelly EVERYTHING space and my life
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Back in the USA!
Well after a super successful flight of sleeping for all but about 2 hours of it I am back in the USA! Currently we are on our bus heading back to Lehigh from Newark and I am really happy to be back! The trip was an amazing opportunity and I will post a final blog of compiled reflections from each of the days but right now I am just realy happy to be heading back to my personal mode of transportation, shower, BED, non-smelly EVERYTHING space and my life.
I will be more reflective and summative later-I think I am just really looking forward to a McDonald's breakfast bagel which will accompany the Starbucks I had at Newark nicely in my tummy!
Boker Tov to my American readers and Shalom to those we left in Israel!
I will be more reflective and summative later-I think I am just really looking forward to a McDonald's breakfast bagel which will accompany the Starbucks I had at Newark nicely in my tummy!
Boker Tov to my American readers and Shalom to those we left in Israel!
Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea!!!
We finished up our last day in Israel by heading down to Qumran (there they found the Dead Sea Scrolls), taking a cable car up to the top of Masada and dipping in the Dead Sea with two amazing meals in there (no shock since I am pretty sure we ate our way through Israel!).
I think I enjoyed touring Qumran the most from the day, as I went to NYC to see teh Discovery Musuem's exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls in January. It was amazing to see actual portions of the scroll in the Israel Museum on the first day and then see where the scrolls were found on the last day. In NYC the exhibit did not have actual scrolls on display but I think the rest of the exhibit did an amazing job of setting up the history and showing movies of people that actually worked on the dig. I felt very connected to this part of the day because of the other learning I had done around this topic. I would highly suggest anyone interested in knowing more, who can't hop an El Al flight to Israel check out the NYC Discovery Museum. The thing that we learned more about in Israel than the NYC museum was the life of the people that copied the scrolls and how they lived and why they were there.
Masada was one of those miracles that you can't understand, sort of like the pyramids. How was a whole city (a small one but same scale) build ontop of a mountain plateau some 2000 years ago? I have no idea but it was amaizng to take the cable car to the top and see the detail with which a city was built. One of the coolest parts was looking at the model of how they engineered to collect the runoff water in canals that came down the mountain into gigantic cisterns to get them through an entire year. It was also crazy to think about how they didn't have soap back then so they would go through a series of bath chambers cool, warm, hot (that they created a raised floor, with furnace underneath and terra cotta pipes with holes coming up into the room)so that their pores would slowly open up and then they would scrap the dirty off with metal blades. I think it is also interesting to think about the dispute between ideologies that the Jewish people did not surrender but that they committed mass suicide rather than going into Roman slavery (the Josephus Flavius version) rather than the disputed version that suiced and killing your wives and children is so against the Jewish faith and believe system that they must have allowed the Romans to take them. The "Ripley's Believe It or Not" twist comes in with the fact that no Jewish bones or remains were found in archelogical excavation and it is believe that the store houses were full when the Romans got to the top. What does this all say? The debate rages on with certain scholars, but is seems widely accepted by many Jewish people that Masada marked a great stance taken that indicated they were never going to go back into slavery at the hands of the Romans so they took it upon themselves to control their destiny.
The Dead Sea....I was there at -422km below sea level!!!! The water was a bit slimey and the boyancy that people experienced was amazing to witness. The beach was rocky and the salt deposits were amazing and I managed to get a few salt rocks from the Dead Sea back in my suitcase! So on this trip I have had my feet in both the Mediterrean Sea and the Dead Sea...two bodies most people don't get to in a lifetime and I got to do both in the span of 10 days...this is pretty unbelievable!
We finished up with a dinner in a Muslim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Abu Gnosh-which is the oldest Mulism neighborhood in the city. The food was amazing and it was there that we gave Rueben(our driver) Barki(our guard) and Yael their formal gifts. Yael accompied us all the way to security and it was sad to leave her, many of us had tears in our eyes. She was amazing and I wish we could remain friends...Carolina and I are going to put together a weddign well wishes and thank you package later this week and send it off to her....love to Yael (Ani Ohebet Otach-that means I love you in Hebrew just for Yael! and that will be my last Hebrew word of the day!)
From there we headed to the airport and after a quick 20 minute delay (to repair a toilet on the plane) we were off and heading back to Newark!
So what was the change-I forgot to add this in the original post so here it is now as I do my overall trip reflection! Unexplainable things happen everywhere and every day (like ancient biblical writing being sold in the NY times, like a huge city being built atop a giant plateau with now modern equipment, people choose to die at their own hands rather than facing an fate that seems worse than death, and a place that is considered dead can produce valuable exports and products) who are we to make judgements on those things. They occurred for a reason and not everything needs to be explained by scientific fact or written history-sometimes things just occur as part of a grander plan for reasons unable to be understood or interpreted in the present time. I think I need to be more open to this idea and accepting that for me God is the larger force guiding this plan and that as long as I am moving in his path I am doing what I should be.
I think I enjoyed touring Qumran the most from the day, as I went to NYC to see teh Discovery Musuem's exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls in January. It was amazing to see actual portions of the scroll in the Israel Museum on the first day and then see where the scrolls were found on the last day. In NYC the exhibit did not have actual scrolls on display but I think the rest of the exhibit did an amazing job of setting up the history and showing movies of people that actually worked on the dig. I felt very connected to this part of the day because of the other learning I had done around this topic. I would highly suggest anyone interested in knowing more, who can't hop an El Al flight to Israel check out the NYC Discovery Museum. The thing that we learned more about in Israel than the NYC museum was the life of the people that copied the scrolls and how they lived and why they were there.
Masada was one of those miracles that you can't understand, sort of like the pyramids. How was a whole city (a small one but same scale) build ontop of a mountain plateau some 2000 years ago? I have no idea but it was amaizng to take the cable car to the top and see the detail with which a city was built. One of the coolest parts was looking at the model of how they engineered to collect the runoff water in canals that came down the mountain into gigantic cisterns to get them through an entire year. It was also crazy to think about how they didn't have soap back then so they would go through a series of bath chambers cool, warm, hot (that they created a raised floor, with furnace underneath and terra cotta pipes with holes coming up into the room)so that their pores would slowly open up and then they would scrap the dirty off with metal blades. I think it is also interesting to think about the dispute between ideologies that the Jewish people did not surrender but that they committed mass suicide rather than going into Roman slavery (the Josephus Flavius version) rather than the disputed version that suiced and killing your wives and children is so against the Jewish faith and believe system that they must have allowed the Romans to take them. The "Ripley's Believe It or Not" twist comes in with the fact that no Jewish bones or remains were found in archelogical excavation and it is believe that the store houses were full when the Romans got to the top. What does this all say? The debate rages on with certain scholars, but is seems widely accepted by many Jewish people that Masada marked a great stance taken that indicated they were never going to go back into slavery at the hands of the Romans so they took it upon themselves to control their destiny.
The Dead Sea....I was there at -422km below sea level!!!! The water was a bit slimey and the boyancy that people experienced was amazing to witness. The beach was rocky and the salt deposits were amazing and I managed to get a few salt rocks from the Dead Sea back in my suitcase! So on this trip I have had my feet in both the Mediterrean Sea and the Dead Sea...two bodies most people don't get to in a lifetime and I got to do both in the span of 10 days...this is pretty unbelievable!
We finished up with a dinner in a Muslim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Abu Gnosh-which is the oldest Mulism neighborhood in the city. The food was amazing and it was there that we gave Rueben(our driver) Barki(our guard) and Yael their formal gifts. Yael accompied us all the way to security and it was sad to leave her, many of us had tears in our eyes. She was amazing and I wish we could remain friends...Carolina and I are going to put together a weddign well wishes and thank you package later this week and send it off to her....love to Yael (Ani Ohebet Otach-that means I love you in Hebrew just for Yael! and that will be my last Hebrew word of the day!)
From there we headed to the airport and after a quick 20 minute delay (to repair a toilet on the plane) we were off and heading back to Newark!
So what was the change-I forgot to add this in the original post so here it is now as I do my overall trip reflection! Unexplainable things happen everywhere and every day (like ancient biblical writing being sold in the NY times, like a huge city being built atop a giant plateau with now modern equipment, people choose to die at their own hands rather than facing an fate that seems worse than death, and a place that is considered dead can produce valuable exports and products) who are we to make judgements on those things. They occurred for a reason and not everything needs to be explained by scientific fact or written history-sometimes things just occur as part of a grander plan for reasons unable to be understood or interpreted in the present time. I think I need to be more open to this idea and accepting that for me God is the larger force guiding this plan and that as long as I am moving in his path I am doing what I should be.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Our Final Day in Tel Aviv
Well today was our last day in Tel Aviv, and it was one of the first free days we have had. And by free I mean from 1pm until whenever (we had two tours in the morning).
We started with a walking tour of old Jaffa and had an Arab Muslim Israeli and Israeli Jew as our guides. The attempted to tell us their history overlaid on the history of Jaffa, as it is one of the few cities in Israel where Muslims and Jews coexist rather peacefully and in an integrated fashion. The views in Jaffa and the art shops were amazing, the content of the tour however was repetitive because after 9 days in Israel we have had a variety of tours and sessions where this same type of history has been told. Following that we took a tour of a park, also known as the African Refugee Development Center. We learned a great deal about how Israeli will offer asylum to many African refugees and on their visa's they mark them no work visa, but the supreme court ruled that is goes against the right to human dignity to not let them work. We also then toured the area where most of the refugees live, 12 to a one room studio apartment that sleep in shifts of 6 at a time to minimize the cost.
The best part of the day was shopping at the Carmel Market and then walking up the Mediterranean Sea along the beach and stopping at one of the many outdoor beach tables and having a drink and some chips and salsa. We took some amazing pictures and collected a few amazing shells. The sand here is the best fine sugar sand with no pebbles like the Jersey shore or North Carolina beaches. There were also a ton of wind surfers and regular old surfers out today and the place we had drinks offered breakfast and surfing lessons for 171 Shekels which is like $45 US dollars.
I think the change from today came from our talk while lounging on at the beach bar. I asked the group if the the trip shifted there perspectives on Israel, Palestine or the conflict at all compared to what they came in with. We had an amazing discussion and it ranged from not knowing at all what the solutions should be, to being more confused now than before we came. The one thing we all shared in common was that this is not an easy place to figure out and that it is probably not going to be solved anytime soon. We also talked a great deal about the irony or juxtaposition of a "Democratic Religious (Jewish)" state and how that doesn't' seem to be able to possible, as well as the fact that they don't have a constitution (because when they declared the state they Jewish population was so small they didn't want to create a full constitution until a majority of Jews had returned....who will decide when that should happen we then tossed around.
What was the change today? There are some issues that are very difficult and that can not be easily figured out but they can not be avoided. The avoidance of a conflict, or the acceptance of living in conflict is a way to perpetuate the conflict and unpleasant circumstances as a result. Now if you know me at all you know that I HATE CONFLICT, but if nothing else this trip has taught me the value of directness and that avoiding conflict doesn't get you anywhere productive.
Tomorrow we are off to the Masada and the Dead Sea and then back to Tel Aviv to good old Ben-Gurion airport to take the 12:32am red eye back to Newark. I can't believe the trip is practically over. It has been so short yet is seems like we left Bethlehem (PA that is) so long ago...oxymoron yes, but so true! Good night from one last evening in Israel...
Sabbath Shalom!
The Rabin Center
One word pretty much sums up our first day in Tel Aviv...Rabin. It is funny how you look back on history growing up and I would say most of my generation who grew up middle to upper middle class will remember a few key names from current events, but would be unsure why such as...Anwar Sadat, Menacham Begin, King Hussein of Jordan, Yhitzak Rabin, maybe even Shimon Perez and Golda Meir (thought those might be doubtful). They definitely remember names like John Wilkes Booth, JFK, Nixon, Margaret Thatcher, Michel Gorbachev and Yeltsin, Sadam Hussein and George HW Bush. Today I felt like I experienced the first set of names in the way the Israeli's experienced them, which is much like how most of you reading this blog would have experienced the second set of names.
We have been learning much about Israel's history throughout our trip and today we got to learn even more about the declaration of the state of Israel in 1947 by David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel. More amazing than that story, for my generations memory anyway was visiting Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, seeing the last steps walked by Yhitzak Rabin, and seeing the markers in the pavement that indicated just how close his assassin stood to him to shoot him. It was nothing like Lincoln or JFK (our two assassinated leaders), the murderer of Rabin stood less than 2 feet from him and the guard who was suppose to protect him probably 3 feet from both Rabin and the assassin. There was no sniper on a hill and no mad man in the theater wings for this one, we was close enough to touch Rabin with the gun that shot him. To me as an American, living in the lifetime that I have that is inconceivable, even with the assassination attempt that I lived through of Regan, he wasn't that close and it wasn't on the heels of a peace movement rally.
From there we went to the Rabin Center where we were able to learn a great deal about the political history of Israel overlaid by the history of Rabin as a leader all within the context of other things going on in the world arena. Though not as touching or as sensitive for most of us as Yad Vashem, this museum was amazingly well done and laid out, thought the most amazing part was meeting and talking with Dalhia Rabin, Yhitzak's daughter, after lunch. She was a women who carried herself in such a confident, self-assured fashion and one that was noteworthy in her own right, regardless of who her father was. She was engaging and has truly experienced many different positions of political and military power within her career as a lawyer and member of the Knesset. She is an advocate for women's rights and empowerment, and stands firm to her beliefs and wasn't afraid to step away from high political positions (like Deputy Minister of Defense) when she didn't like the political agenda that was being pushed. She said that without the assassination of her father she never would have intended to go into the political arena, but after that happened she felt that this was the only right thing to do. She was also unsure how many leaders are following her father's peace mission. She now directs the Rabin Center and makes sure that her father's life is memorialized as he lived, with conviction and respect.
So what changed today? Well I think the best way I can describe it is that you have to know what is important to you in all aspects of your life, and be open to certain events really shaping who you become and the path that you take because often it is not what you would have expected but is the one that you are being called to do for reasons you do not understand (and the Christian in me in the holy land says that this is one way that God can work in your life).
Oh and another amazing site today...The Mediterranean Sea!!! We got our first up close glimpse of it and tomorrow my goal is to touch it during our lunch and "shopportunity" as Yael calls it. Which by the way is the best guide ever and if you are ever thinking of a trip to Israel I highly recommend IsraelExperts, but mainly Yael Manashe (soon to be Zelcer). She is amazing and I wish I could be her friend but the 12 hour flight could be a difficult one to manage!
Tomorrow a bit back to walking, to tour old Jaffa and then African Refugee Center and a new market, Carmel Market! Tomorrow is our last day in Tel Aviv and the last night we will sleep in Israel. We end our trip at the Masada and the Dead Sea on Saturday, before our red eye home just past midnight. The time as gone so quick, but a few days left to enjoy!
I'll try to do better and remember to take the iPad to the bus tomorrow to upload...our hotel is still crappy though the food is better our room still smells and the bed is unbelievable uncomfortable-I am sort of looking forward to sleeping on the plane...
Beatitudes....and off to Tel Aviv!
Today was the most driving we have done thus far, but it was well worth it to head up to the Kinneret (Sea of the Galilee). We had a rather less than interesting speaker this morning and then spent an amazing day touring the beyond beautiful sea in the north where Jesus performed many of his miracles.
I am not even going to recount the random ecological greenhouse on a Kibbutz. I would have rather toured the Kibbutz itself, but no we sat in a dirty greenhouse and heard from a guide that wasn't good and did a poor job of recapping things we have heard all week. The most amazing part of the morning was hearing the story of an Arab Muslim Israeli who has a Pro-Israel perspective (I wish we could have skipped the 45 minutes of greenhouse garbage and asked her more questions but that wasn't in the cards). She is a law student in university currently and was explaining how difficult it is to be in her position because she truly believes that Israel should be it's own state and that Palestine should not be a part of the picture that Israel is having to worry about. She said a very very interesting things, about how there are arabic and jewish schools in Israel and that you can go to either one, as they teach in both languages, but that typically you don't go to an opposite culture school. She says that she does have many Jewish friends and that while her ancestors came from Palestine (generations back) she is not attached to that country or the Muslims there. She is more of a humanist and thinks the relations between both countries hurts them both more than it helps any one of them. She says that the Israeli flag and anthem doesn't represent her heritage but rather than some that get very upset about that she is grateful for her rights as an Israeli citizen (she can vote, run for the Knesset, she is able to do anything that a Jewish Israeli can-accept she gets to choose to serve in the military or do civil service). She chose civil service and felt good about it because she wanted to have her chance to be an active citizen and participate in the country that she is very much in support of. She lives in a Jewish and Muslim community that co-exists peacefully (which means they are able to live in the same general village/town but on segregated sides of the town.
We were then able to see a few sites surrounding the beautiful Sea of the Galilee-which I have pictures of but that I can't explain in words. And for the first time in this trip we wore short sleeve shirts with OUT jackets-thank you weather for cooperating with us! First we were able to go to the church that commemorates the site of where Jesus turned the 2 fishes and 5 loaves into thousands for the people. The church is still in operation today and mosaics on the floor commemorate the fishes and loaves. It notes 2 fishes and only 4 loaves as the 5th loaf is offered during the communion mass by the Priest.
From there we went to Capernum where St. Peter built his house and where Jesus healed a women. We we also able to see some amazing ruins of St. Peter's original house with a beautifully architectural church built suspended above it.
The most beautiful site today (in addition to the sea and surrounding hills themselves) was the Church of the Beatitudes where Jesus was said to have delivered the sermon on the mound. The church was absolutely gorgeous and built in an octagonal fashion in order to represent the 8 virtues of man noted in the sermon. While Jesus did not deliver the sermon in the church (as he was much before this time) this is the perfect hill (mound) overlooking the Galilee where historians surmised the famous sermon could have taken place.
From there we drove 2 hours down to Tel Aviv, where we ended early with dinner at 6:30pm in the most ridiculous hotel ever. We are trying not to be bitter, but we are in a safe house room/shelter with a shower that you have to fold out of the wall...it is beyond words and they are trying to move us but tonight we make the most of it and practice flexibility...GOD HELP US!
So what was today's change? Well I think more than anything I was reminded of the importance of actively seeking out opinions and individual stories that are missing or not represented in a group and then truly giving them a time to speak their perspective and story. I think this is always valued, or said to be valued, in my profession, though I think that at times it gets overlooked or given a nod to but that those people aren't engaged in a true way. This is very important as I look toward the future of my office and were we are going to make sure we engage all perspectives. I am also reminded that beauty is everywhere around us and that you should truly take the time to stop and enjoy it and not take for granted the experiences we have in front of us.
Well, we sort of stop officially "touring" cities tomorrow and begin our last push of meeting with different people and centers, until Masada and the Dead Sea on Saturday before flying back (I don't want to think of it yet though!). Tomorrow will be a big day visiting the Rabin center and getting to meet with Dalia Rabin. What a day...oh did I mention our amazingly bad (though it looks amazing from all parts that aren't the safe rooms in the stairwell that we have) hotel doesn't have free wi-fi so I will have to post my blogs from our BUS!!!
That is all I have to say about today, more to come later!
I am not even going to recount the random ecological greenhouse on a Kibbutz. I would have rather toured the Kibbutz itself, but no we sat in a dirty greenhouse and heard from a guide that wasn't good and did a poor job of recapping things we have heard all week. The most amazing part of the morning was hearing the story of an Arab Muslim Israeli who has a Pro-Israel perspective (I wish we could have skipped the 45 minutes of greenhouse garbage and asked her more questions but that wasn't in the cards). She is a law student in university currently and was explaining how difficult it is to be in her position because she truly believes that Israel should be it's own state and that Palestine should not be a part of the picture that Israel is having to worry about. She said a very very interesting things, about how there are arabic and jewish schools in Israel and that you can go to either one, as they teach in both languages, but that typically you don't go to an opposite culture school. She says that she does have many Jewish friends and that while her ancestors came from Palestine (generations back) she is not attached to that country or the Muslims there. She is more of a humanist and thinks the relations between both countries hurts them both more than it helps any one of them. She says that the Israeli flag and anthem doesn't represent her heritage but rather than some that get very upset about that she is grateful for her rights as an Israeli citizen (she can vote, run for the Knesset, she is able to do anything that a Jewish Israeli can-accept she gets to choose to serve in the military or do civil service). She chose civil service and felt good about it because she wanted to have her chance to be an active citizen and participate in the country that she is very much in support of. She lives in a Jewish and Muslim community that co-exists peacefully (which means they are able to live in the same general village/town but on segregated sides of the town.
We were then able to see a few sites surrounding the beautiful Sea of the Galilee-which I have pictures of but that I can't explain in words. And for the first time in this trip we wore short sleeve shirts with OUT jackets-thank you weather for cooperating with us! First we were able to go to the church that commemorates the site of where Jesus turned the 2 fishes and 5 loaves into thousands for the people. The church is still in operation today and mosaics on the floor commemorate the fishes and loaves. It notes 2 fishes and only 4 loaves as the 5th loaf is offered during the communion mass by the Priest.
From there we went to Capernum where St. Peter built his house and where Jesus healed a women. We we also able to see some amazing ruins of St. Peter's original house with a beautifully architectural church built suspended above it.
The most beautiful site today (in addition to the sea and surrounding hills themselves) was the Church of the Beatitudes where Jesus was said to have delivered the sermon on the mound. The church was absolutely gorgeous and built in an octagonal fashion in order to represent the 8 virtues of man noted in the sermon. While Jesus did not deliver the sermon in the church (as he was much before this time) this is the perfect hill (mound) overlooking the Galilee where historians surmised the famous sermon could have taken place.
From there we drove 2 hours down to Tel Aviv, where we ended early with dinner at 6:30pm in the most ridiculous hotel ever. We are trying not to be bitter, but we are in a safe house room/shelter with a shower that you have to fold out of the wall...it is beyond words and they are trying to move us but tonight we make the most of it and practice flexibility...GOD HELP US!
So what was today's change? Well I think more than anything I was reminded of the importance of actively seeking out opinions and individual stories that are missing or not represented in a group and then truly giving them a time to speak their perspective and story. I think this is always valued, or said to be valued, in my profession, though I think that at times it gets overlooked or given a nod to but that those people aren't engaged in a true way. This is very important as I look toward the future of my office and were we are going to make sure we engage all perspectives. I am also reminded that beauty is everywhere around us and that you should truly take the time to stop and enjoy it and not take for granted the experiences we have in front of us.
Well, we sort of stop officially "touring" cities tomorrow and begin our last push of meeting with different people and centers, until Masada and the Dead Sea on Saturday before flying back (I don't want to think of it yet though!). Tomorrow will be a big day visiting the Rabin center and getting to meet with Dalia Rabin. What a day...oh did I mention our amazingly bad (though it looks amazing from all parts that aren't the safe rooms in the stairwell that we have) hotel doesn't have free wi-fi so I will have to post my blogs from our BUS!!!
That is all I have to say about today, more to come later!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
City of David and Encounter
We did a variety of things today but only two really stick in my mind as engaging and fully worth typing about. I will however quickly highlight the others for you.
We started the day later (9:20am-what a nice change!) by going to the Sabeel Center which is a Palestinian Liberation Theology organization. Omar spoke with us and provided us a new Arab Christian perspective. Omar had some great personal narratives that he shared with us, though I found the session overall less than engaging and found myself wondering more how our guide Yael and guard Barki were reacting to hearing his perspective on the conflict and what motivates the Arab people living in Palestine.
We then moved to a tour of the Supreme Court, much better than the Knesset, thought the women spoke very fast and was often out of breath. The design and intentionality behind the structure itself was amazing. The description of how they enact the judicial branch of the "democracy" was very interesting compared to the US version of democracy. NOTE: The rest of this is for my GA, one Ashley Sciora (as this is not one of my engaging parts of today but I thought she would like this info!) I am not going to pretend to know what a full and true democratic state would look like (I never took a political science course in college and I think middle school or AP US History was my last academic look at government) but I think they could be slightly missing the mark (or I could be privileged and very US centric). The Israeli judicial branch operates as follows: Across the country there are 32 magistrate courts, then 6 district courts, then the supreme court (with 15 justices, governed by a chief justice-which is essentially the one with most seniority). There are NO JURIES, as they wanted their court system to be fully professional and NOT to have people judged by their peers. Courts hear civil and criminal cases and whether you start at magistrate or district depends on the level of sentence that could result if you are guilty. If you start in magistrate you can only appeal to district and if you start in district you can only appeal to supreme. HERE IS THE KICKER....there are no real requirements on being a supreme court justice-you don't even really need to be a lawyer-you just have to be knowledgeable in law. You have to be at least 18 and be qualified. You could petition in, be recommended or any other avenue then you go throw an interview process. They can operate up to 5 courts at one time because only 3 justices hear any one case (not sure how they are assigned). Oh and the are VERY strict with the justices and where they enter and the hallways they access. They want ABSOLUTELY no contact between justices and lawyers, justices and press, justices and defendants (they even have their own law library, separate from the lawyers and retired justices). You all can talk or comment amongst yourselves-but do others think this is democracy?
Now on to my favorite parts of the day...City of David. More than anything I have greatly enjoyed when we are walking around and Yael is explaining the site and narrating the experience. We watched a rather nauseating (literally) 3D movie about the history of David and how we acquired/built the city. Then we got to walk through some underground tunnels that could have been how David's soldiers attacked the city by gaining access through water tunnels. It was some really exciting hiking and cool to see that perspective on the city.
We then had 3 folks from a group called Encounter which is aimed at bringing grass top American Jews to Israel to engage in listening to Palestinian narratives and encountering them as people. What are grass tops you are asking-they are not grass roots leaders, nor are they top level leaders, they are right in the middle upcoming Jewish leaders who want to create constructive change. This group talked a great deal about listening and hearing the stories of the Palestinians. They were super engaging and open to questions from our group and the group was very engaged with them, on a personal story level-not on a programmatic how do you do it level. I really wish that I could experience a program like this or that I could work for a program that is as committed to a social change cause (and this is the first time in my life I have ever really wanted to work for a non-profit, except maybe Habitat). So dear Encounter, should you ever need a Christian from North America-you just let me know!
So what is the change for today? I think more than anything I remembered today how lucky I feel to be doing the professional work that I am. In my small way I am trying to help educate students how to be more critical thinkers and to listen first to understand others and then to be understood yourself. I also hope that student are learning that there is more to leadership than being a outspoken person with a title, I aim to really impress on them the ideas that true change comes from anyone with a passion and that you don't need a formal title to lead, you just need to authentically you and integrate your values into your everyday life (integrity). Seeing the passion the Encounter participants had made me remember that the more passion and feeling you put into your work the more others will be excited and engaged by it and want to participate in your mission with you.
OTHER RANDOM FACT OF THE DAY (learned in Israel but in no way Israeli or Jewish, and also NOT learned in courses that awarded me a Bachelor of Science in Biology): FACT: Cows and goats produce milk only after giving birth, similar to human. So in order to get the milk you must impregnate said animals continuously so they lactate and it can be taken from them. THANK YOU REBECCA BEELS! What would I have done without this knowledge? I may have gone with Carolina's philosophy that cows produce milk because they moo...False!
Off to the north tomorrow-the Kinnert (Sea of Galilee) and then to Tel Aviv...goodbye Jerusalem, it has been an amazing experience and one that I will never forget!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Bethlehem, Temple Mound/Dome of the Rock, and Parents of Lost Children
What a day it has been, and I can't say I am able to write much after the novel and soul bearing that came out yesterday.
We were lucky enough to be able to travel into Bethlehem (A zone A fully Palestinian administered territory) and meet with the Mayor and some of his staff to get their perspectives. We heard from a 26 year old Palestinian women about her experiences and the terror she felt growing up and still feels. The overwhelming picture painted by the Mayor was that they are a peaceful people seeking a peaceful solution, and that the occupation by the Israeli's is the only issue in the conflict (note this is what he said, not my personal opinion on the matter).
We then visited the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the world and the site where Jesus was born and put in the manger (both of which we got to see and touch-pictures to follow). For this we had a new guide from inside the wall that separates Bethlehem (which is in the West Bank) and we had to leave our Israeli and Jewish guide Yael and guard Barki just outside the wall (as they are forbidden to enter the Palestinian territory). This too was a bit of a mental battle to hurdle thinking about how they felt having to be left outside the wall while we went it.
We were then able to rejoin Yael and Barki for a trip to the Temple Mound and the Dome of the Rock, and I have to say that Yael has really made this trip such a great learning experience. Both of these places are extremely meaningful and holy for both Judiasm and Islam and it was great to learn more about that and see the amazing site that both are. From there we had a tasty Mediterranean lunch in the Muslim quarter.
Then we visited the Western (wailing) Wall and were able to touch and put prayers into the most holy place in the world for Jews and where they say the spirit of God remains still after the destruction of the 2nd Temple Mound.
We wrapped the day up with a tour of the Knessett, the Israeli parliament. The tour was interesting, and it was not what I expected. It seemed a bit more generic than what I had thought and we saw 3 rooms, so the "tour" was really a quick show and tell.
Then one of the most beneficial part of the day was seeing the Palestinian mother who lost 2 brothers in the conflict (who she essentially mothered) and a Israeli Jew father who lost his small daughter to a suicide bomber in the conflict. To hear their stories and to see the bond, connection, friendship, and true familial love that they have developed for each other out of this shared pain was amazing. They are non-political and spreading the message that the answer is pro-solution (not pro-Israeli, not pro-Palestinian). Their group of over 600 is an amazing organization truly looking to educate all on the the experience and story of the other through narrative.
What a day, we are starting to pack a lot into our short time and tomorrow is our last full day in Israel as we head to the north the next morning then on to Tel Aviv.
So what is the change today? It is hard to put into words. I think more than anything it is that the power of the narrative and hearing the experience of others is so important. And to recognize that just when you think you have figured out a solution or where you stand there is a great chance that you will hear something that could sway you and to be open to that message. I think we all too often close our minds and believe we have all the information we need. So I would like to continue telling myself to ask questions and seek out opposite opinions and thought so I can be sure that I am making my decisions in a truly informed way and I am not letting the propaganda that is clever or heartfelt cloud by ability to think independently.
We were lucky enough to be able to travel into Bethlehem (A zone A fully Palestinian administered territory) and meet with the Mayor and some of his staff to get their perspectives. We heard from a 26 year old Palestinian women about her experiences and the terror she felt growing up and still feels. The overwhelming picture painted by the Mayor was that they are a peaceful people seeking a peaceful solution, and that the occupation by the Israeli's is the only issue in the conflict (note this is what he said, not my personal opinion on the matter).
We then visited the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in the world and the site where Jesus was born and put in the manger (both of which we got to see and touch-pictures to follow). For this we had a new guide from inside the wall that separates Bethlehem (which is in the West Bank) and we had to leave our Israeli and Jewish guide Yael and guard Barki just outside the wall (as they are forbidden to enter the Palestinian territory). This too was a bit of a mental battle to hurdle thinking about how they felt having to be left outside the wall while we went it.
We were then able to rejoin Yael and Barki for a trip to the Temple Mound and the Dome of the Rock, and I have to say that Yael has really made this trip such a great learning experience. Both of these places are extremely meaningful and holy for both Judiasm and Islam and it was great to learn more about that and see the amazing site that both are. From there we had a tasty Mediterranean lunch in the Muslim quarter.
Then we visited the Western (wailing) Wall and were able to touch and put prayers into the most holy place in the world for Jews and where they say the spirit of God remains still after the destruction of the 2nd Temple Mound.
We wrapped the day up with a tour of the Knessett, the Israeli parliament. The tour was interesting, and it was not what I expected. It seemed a bit more generic than what I had thought and we saw 3 rooms, so the "tour" was really a quick show and tell.
Then one of the most beneficial part of the day was seeing the Palestinian mother who lost 2 brothers in the conflict (who she essentially mothered) and a Israeli Jew father who lost his small daughter to a suicide bomber in the conflict. To hear their stories and to see the bond, connection, friendship, and true familial love that they have developed for each other out of this shared pain was amazing. They are non-political and spreading the message that the answer is pro-solution (not pro-Israeli, not pro-Palestinian). Their group of over 600 is an amazing organization truly looking to educate all on the the experience and story of the other through narrative.
What a day, we are starting to pack a lot into our short time and tomorrow is our last full day in Israel as we head to the north the next morning then on to Tel Aviv.
So what is the change today? It is hard to put into words. I think more than anything it is that the power of the narrative and hearing the experience of others is so important. And to recognize that just when you think you have figured out a solution or where you stand there is a great chance that you will hear something that could sway you and to be open to that message. I think we all too often close our minds and believe we have all the information we need. So I would like to continue telling myself to ask questions and seek out opposite opinions and thought so I can be sure that I am making my decisions in a truly informed way and I am not letting the propaganda that is clever or heartfelt cloud by ability to think independently.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
A Geopolitical Tour and Via Dolorosa
I am starting by telling you all that I don't know where to start and I fear that is how it is going to shake out from this part forward as our days get longer and down in the heart of the city and the conflict.
It was chilly and a bit damp again today to stat and the foggiest it has been, which made our overlook and the "geo"graphical part of our geopolitical tour a bit more challenging than our guide from Ir Amin would have liked. But even in the face of fog we got experience some things that were amazing and delivered an extreme ounce of perspective. Where did we go today, the West Bank...yes that is right. In our geopolitical tour we drove many of the boarders, and boundaries and through different housing developments both Jewish and Palestinian. It is very hard to explain but here is a quick run down of the West Bank. It is split into 3 areas; Zone A administered by the Palestinian Authority, Zone B administered by the Palestinian Authority and secured by Israelis, Zone C is fully administered and secured by Israel. So today we were able to drive our bus (with Israeli guides, guard and driver) into the C area, though when we visit the city of Bethlehem and the Mayor they are unable to go with us (it is also in the West Bank) because it is fully in the Palestinian controlled area. This is very complicated, and even after talking it through and researching it my 3 friends and I don't fully understand it. What I do understand are a few things;
1) At no point today did I feel unsafe-The check point, the guards with large guns, and the large cement wall barriers that separates out the West Bank were an amazing site but aside from waving us through and asking our driver one question (in both directions) nothing else was done because we said we were American tourists. I am not sure that this is reaffirming or scary but either way I felt safe on our bus.
2) It was amazing to see the discrepancy in living conditions (at times right beside each other) between Jewish settlements/housing areas and Palestinian housing areas. Our Ir Armin guide referred to it as a 3rd world country, the Palestinian area and I have to say, I did look like it at many times.
3) Everyone has a political ideology driving their actions and at times it was clear that the geopolitical guide was saying things that our guide was not agreeing with, but both remained very appropriate (in language-maybe not in non-verbal expressions!). The Ir Armin guide stipulated that urban planning was not driving Israeli development decision but political expansion and a need to build up their presence in the land that they desire to control (the geography) was driving the decisions.
The second part of the afternoon was what you think of when you hear of a trip to Jerusalem and you are Christian, we walked the path that Jesus walked with the cross. This path is marked along the Via Dolorosa by large bronze metal circles with Roman numerals in them and with various churches along the way. We took some amazing pictures and at points read from the Gospels to hear the story as told in the New Testament. Yael (our fabulous guide) told her the story along the way, which was unique in that she is a Jew telling a Christian story (and carrying an tabbed King James version of the Bible). This had me thinking what it must be like for her, and the Jews on our trip to be spending such an amount of time doing this very Christian (specifically non-Protestant-as she explained the Protestant faiths believe that Jesus walked a path on the opposite side of the old city and ended in a different church, not the Holy Sepulcher (which we visited at the end). So what do I do? Consult the trusty Rabbi for the "Jewish" perspective.
This is where I was literally stuck for a good 20-30 minutes with my world just left in an non-understandable state. So I know things about Judaism and can explain a bit about it to those who know nothing but when I asked Seth what Jews think about this whole "stations of the cross" and crucification bit I was shocked by the answer and it left me feeling like it wasn't possible for two such opposite but overlapping realities to exist. From my interpretation of what Seth said about Judaism and Jesus it goes kind of like this....
1) Some Jews will say that he did live (most agree that there is a historical confirmation that Jesus the man did live) others may question it (but that isn't unique to Jews)
2) Jews only spend time on Jesus and think about the role he played in as prominent way as they do (which is minimal at best) because the Christians put such an emphasis on him that they are forced to think more about his role in scripture (well isn't that the true life of any less privileged group-knowing a ton more about how the privileged see things than the privileged know about them!)
3) Without the external Christian emphasis they wouldn't really spend time studying, dialoging, or praying about his existence, teachings or work. They would acknowledge that he died (but all humans do) but the how or what that happened would in no way be significant.
His example was let's say that all of Christianity is pretty much wiped out except for the Mormon faith (for a numbers sake). That is all that will be left of what is a version of Christianity, but not really what I was taught to believe, though there are some vague intersections or similarities (monotheism, some shared or agreed upon stories). I literally could not, end of story.
It was then visible to Carolina that I was stuck in a place that I couldn't understand and definitely wasn't making meaning of. I explained it to her like this...it would be like someone telling your parents that Cuba didn't really exist. What do you do with information like that?
Some would then immediately question their faith, religion, spirituality. Some would immediately denounce the statement by shear faith alone. Some would do nothing and move aimlessly along with no reflection or introspection at all. Here is what I did. I thought long and hard about it, throughout the walk. I kept coming back to it while we toured the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (which also had me questioning why Protestants didn't think Jesus walked to and was crucified on this particular mound), I thought a great deal about it before touching the slab of stone that is said to be the actual physical piece the Jesus was laid on and ascended from (while others were kissing it, crying on it, praying to it, and rubbing tokens on it to take home), and even more when we saw the Greek Orthodox priests doing "Ash Wednesday" type of services as they were bringing in Lent today in there faith. Oh and did I mention the fact that his tomb was in the middle of the church as well and there were rocks dug out that were to be where the cross was stuck into the ground when he was hoisted up to painfully hang from his hands and feet to die? Well we saw all that too and I reflected and I thought about it all.
And now for my change today, it has nothing to do with my professional life but everything to do with my personal and religious life. I think we are all right and we are all wrong at the same time. I think that is is ludicrous for a church to ask you to declare your statement of faith after going through a few classes about their history and that any person can know what that is by the time the are in high school. Well, at least it was for me, maybe not for some, but I know when I was that age I was just saying what I thought I had been told, but didn't know what I believed or why or if it was even my belief or someone else's. Below is what I believe, and I would like to say that it is a Christian belief, though I am sure some could argue that.
DISCLAIMER: This has been 33 years in the making and more clarity was brought today but this is not a result of only walking the Via Dolorosa today.
There is one God (monotheism is what makes the most personal sense for me) who created the heaven and the Earth and all things that are a part of it.
God knew it would be messy from the moment Adam bite the apple (well God actually probably knew before that but the action sealed the deal)
God had a greater hope for the world he created and he wanted to give all that he had created in his imagine a way to be absolved of the sin that had entered the world
God sent Jesus Christ to try and bring balance to this growing sinful world, knowing that the sin would never truly go away now that it had started
Jesus taught many people many things, and was able to help people in a way no other human could because he himself was divine and from God which allowed him to do many amazing things like curing and healing
He was persecuted for this amazing abilities by a government that wanted no one in power but those they put in power, they were threatened by his abilities
Because of this he was killed in a way that was in no way proportionate to his crime (that of impersonating a King according to Roman law)
From there the one true God worked his miracles and Jesus rose from his grave and took his place in heaven as the savior who died to bring salvation to a people that needed something beyond what was available to them, they needed divine guidance and acceptance
Why do I know this? Because I do. I don't need historical facts, carbon dating, validated DNA from shrouds, or written scrolls in a language I don't understand and can't read. I just believe. This too might be unique to Christians, this idea of faith (some would call it blind faith) but to me it is just faith and I believe it because this world is too miraculous and harsh of a place to have come out of no where and to not have a better place waiting somewhere in the wings.
This is alot, trust me I know. I am even thinking right now, do I really want to upload this and have it out there for the 10 folks who will probably read it....Yes. Why? Because it is better to stand for something than nothing at all and this is it for me. Take it or leave it, that is your choice but me today I am telling you that, "I choose Jesus. A divine Jesus to died on the cross to give me hope, faith and new life with God the Father."
That is it. End of my blog today, feel free to comment away. I am not saying this is the only right way or that by reading this you must agree with me. I am simply saying loud and clear, this is my belief...but it is me, so if you take me know that you get this belief in me, it is a package deal.
It was chilly and a bit damp again today to stat and the foggiest it has been, which made our overlook and the "geo"graphical part of our geopolitical tour a bit more challenging than our guide from Ir Amin would have liked. But even in the face of fog we got experience some things that were amazing and delivered an extreme ounce of perspective. Where did we go today, the West Bank...yes that is right. In our geopolitical tour we drove many of the boarders, and boundaries and through different housing developments both Jewish and Palestinian. It is very hard to explain but here is a quick run down of the West Bank. It is split into 3 areas; Zone A administered by the Palestinian Authority, Zone B administered by the Palestinian Authority and secured by Israelis, Zone C is fully administered and secured by Israel. So today we were able to drive our bus (with Israeli guides, guard and driver) into the C area, though when we visit the city of Bethlehem and the Mayor they are unable to go with us (it is also in the West Bank) because it is fully in the Palestinian controlled area. This is very complicated, and even after talking it through and researching it my 3 friends and I don't fully understand it. What I do understand are a few things;
1) At no point today did I feel unsafe-The check point, the guards with large guns, and the large cement wall barriers that separates out the West Bank were an amazing site but aside from waving us through and asking our driver one question (in both directions) nothing else was done because we said we were American tourists. I am not sure that this is reaffirming or scary but either way I felt safe on our bus.
2) It was amazing to see the discrepancy in living conditions (at times right beside each other) between Jewish settlements/housing areas and Palestinian housing areas. Our Ir Armin guide referred to it as a 3rd world country, the Palestinian area and I have to say, I did look like it at many times.
3) Everyone has a political ideology driving their actions and at times it was clear that the geopolitical guide was saying things that our guide was not agreeing with, but both remained very appropriate (in language-maybe not in non-verbal expressions!). The Ir Armin guide stipulated that urban planning was not driving Israeli development decision but political expansion and a need to build up their presence in the land that they desire to control (the geography) was driving the decisions.
The second part of the afternoon was what you think of when you hear of a trip to Jerusalem and you are Christian, we walked the path that Jesus walked with the cross. This path is marked along the Via Dolorosa by large bronze metal circles with Roman numerals in them and with various churches along the way. We took some amazing pictures and at points read from the Gospels to hear the story as told in the New Testament. Yael (our fabulous guide) told her the story along the way, which was unique in that she is a Jew telling a Christian story (and carrying an tabbed King James version of the Bible). This had me thinking what it must be like for her, and the Jews on our trip to be spending such an amount of time doing this very Christian (specifically non-Protestant-as she explained the Protestant faiths believe that Jesus walked a path on the opposite side of the old city and ended in a different church, not the Holy Sepulcher (which we visited at the end). So what do I do? Consult the trusty Rabbi for the "Jewish" perspective.
This is where I was literally stuck for a good 20-30 minutes with my world just left in an non-understandable state. So I know things about Judaism and can explain a bit about it to those who know nothing but when I asked Seth what Jews think about this whole "stations of the cross" and crucification bit I was shocked by the answer and it left me feeling like it wasn't possible for two such opposite but overlapping realities to exist. From my interpretation of what Seth said about Judaism and Jesus it goes kind of like this....
1) Some Jews will say that he did live (most agree that there is a historical confirmation that Jesus the man did live) others may question it (but that isn't unique to Jews)
2) Jews only spend time on Jesus and think about the role he played in as prominent way as they do (which is minimal at best) because the Christians put such an emphasis on him that they are forced to think more about his role in scripture (well isn't that the true life of any less privileged group-knowing a ton more about how the privileged see things than the privileged know about them!)
3) Without the external Christian emphasis they wouldn't really spend time studying, dialoging, or praying about his existence, teachings or work. They would acknowledge that he died (but all humans do) but the how or what that happened would in no way be significant.
His example was let's say that all of Christianity is pretty much wiped out except for the Mormon faith (for a numbers sake). That is all that will be left of what is a version of Christianity, but not really what I was taught to believe, though there are some vague intersections or similarities (monotheism, some shared or agreed upon stories). I literally could not, end of story.
It was then visible to Carolina that I was stuck in a place that I couldn't understand and definitely wasn't making meaning of. I explained it to her like this...it would be like someone telling your parents that Cuba didn't really exist. What do you do with information like that?
Some would then immediately question their faith, religion, spirituality. Some would immediately denounce the statement by shear faith alone. Some would do nothing and move aimlessly along with no reflection or introspection at all. Here is what I did. I thought long and hard about it, throughout the walk. I kept coming back to it while we toured the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (which also had me questioning why Protestants didn't think Jesus walked to and was crucified on this particular mound), I thought a great deal about it before touching the slab of stone that is said to be the actual physical piece the Jesus was laid on and ascended from (while others were kissing it, crying on it, praying to it, and rubbing tokens on it to take home), and even more when we saw the Greek Orthodox priests doing "Ash Wednesday" type of services as they were bringing in Lent today in there faith. Oh and did I mention the fact that his tomb was in the middle of the church as well and there were rocks dug out that were to be where the cross was stuck into the ground when he was hoisted up to painfully hang from his hands and feet to die? Well we saw all that too and I reflected and I thought about it all.
And now for my change today, it has nothing to do with my professional life but everything to do with my personal and religious life. I think we are all right and we are all wrong at the same time. I think that is is ludicrous for a church to ask you to declare your statement of faith after going through a few classes about their history and that any person can know what that is by the time the are in high school. Well, at least it was for me, maybe not for some, but I know when I was that age I was just saying what I thought I had been told, but didn't know what I believed or why or if it was even my belief or someone else's. Below is what I believe, and I would like to say that it is a Christian belief, though I am sure some could argue that.
DISCLAIMER: This has been 33 years in the making and more clarity was brought today but this is not a result of only walking the Via Dolorosa today.
There is one God (monotheism is what makes the most personal sense for me) who created the heaven and the Earth and all things that are a part of it.
God knew it would be messy from the moment Adam bite the apple (well God actually probably knew before that but the action sealed the deal)
God had a greater hope for the world he created and he wanted to give all that he had created in his imagine a way to be absolved of the sin that had entered the world
God sent Jesus Christ to try and bring balance to this growing sinful world, knowing that the sin would never truly go away now that it had started
Jesus taught many people many things, and was able to help people in a way no other human could because he himself was divine and from God which allowed him to do many amazing things like curing and healing
He was persecuted for this amazing abilities by a government that wanted no one in power but those they put in power, they were threatened by his abilities
Because of this he was killed in a way that was in no way proportionate to his crime (that of impersonating a King according to Roman law)
From there the one true God worked his miracles and Jesus rose from his grave and took his place in heaven as the savior who died to bring salvation to a people that needed something beyond what was available to them, they needed divine guidance and acceptance
Why do I know this? Because I do. I don't need historical facts, carbon dating, validated DNA from shrouds, or written scrolls in a language I don't understand and can't read. I just believe. This too might be unique to Christians, this idea of faith (some would call it blind faith) but to me it is just faith and I believe it because this world is too miraculous and harsh of a place to have come out of no where and to not have a better place waiting somewhere in the wings.
This is alot, trust me I know. I am even thinking right now, do I really want to upload this and have it out there for the 10 folks who will probably read it....Yes. Why? Because it is better to stand for something than nothing at all and this is it for me. Take it or leave it, that is your choice but me today I am telling you that, "I choose Jesus. A divine Jesus to died on the cross to give me hope, faith and new life with God the Father."
That is it. End of my blog today, feel free to comment away. I am not saying this is the only right way or that by reading this you must agree with me. I am simply saying loud and clear, this is my belief...but it is me, so if you take me know that you get this belief in me, it is a package deal.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Shabbat Shalom & Museum Day
Well it was Shabbat and Seth did services for us to both bring in and out the Sabbath. We also had a great night of celebrating in the 7th floor elevantor lounge with TONS of rugala (chocolate filled crossaints) candy (specifically Kinder Bueno-Alissa Sperling has changed my life, and chcolate filled with pop rocks!) and fun stories. This was a great way to relax and enjoy each other's company in a typically Jewish tradition called, Oneg. Oh and tonight I got to hold the mulit-wicked candle...I was the Vanna White of Shabbat!
Today we had more chilly rain in the holy city and because of said rain we spent the day in doors at the Bible Lands Museum and the Islamic Art Museum. The day was topped off by an amazing dinner down town and dessert by the Waffle Lady!
For me today was another day, while I typically enjoy museums the museums we saw didn't feel indicative of the Israeli culture. The content seemed to be similar to that of any musesum who could find anywhere, perhaps even the Natural History Museum in NYC or the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Discovery Museum also in NYC. So this point of view brings me quickly to the change for today...
I AM IN ISRAEL, the holy city, where Jesus walked and preached, when civializations have been created and destroyed where some would say religion was born!!!!! DON'T WASTE THE TIME WITH DISCONTENTMENT! I want to be a more optomistic person, carpe diem, be in the moment and not be critical.
I think the turning point today came for me at dinner, we had an AMAZING dinner where I had the best salad, Mistress Salad with a blue cheese that I enjoyed (if you really know me you understand why that is shocking and worth noting) and a FABULOUS fetuccini with tomato basil cream sause and the same cheese on top (still enjoyed it). We then went to have waffles for dessert and mine was topped with butter scotch and pecans, Caro had chocolate sauce and bananas and Seth (aka Rabbi) had whipped cream and cookie pieces and cream cheese and cinnamon. As if that wasn't enough I then had a cup of the most wonderfully perfect hot chocolate-it might have been literally been melted chocolate in a cup. We also had great dinner conversation about religions and beliefs and were lucky enough ot have Seth's father (Mr. Goren) with us who toured us around the perimeter of the Old City before we came home, that is when it felt real. We saw the large walls enclosing the city, that up to this point we have only see in model replicas (though great replicas-they didn't make it seem real). This made me excited for tomorrow when we actuall get to go into the City of David, walk the stations of the cross and enter the Church of the Holy Sepluchar (clearly we are visiting the Christian and then the Armenia quarters of the city).
I am ready to really begin this Israel adventure tomorrow and get to be in the city and see things. It will likely still be raining but by now we are used to being cold and a bit damp so I say bring on the holy land, I have been blogging about being it in but feel like we aren't really there yet!
Want to know even more about our adevntures here in Jerusalem...then check out my friends too!
Shout out to my newest blog groupie, Alissa Sperling! You can read about her adventures at Alissaintheholyland.blogsot.com!
Don't forget about Carolina too at carointheholyland.blogspot.com
Today we had more chilly rain in the holy city and because of said rain we spent the day in doors at the Bible Lands Museum and the Islamic Art Museum. The day was topped off by an amazing dinner down town and dessert by the Waffle Lady!
For me today was another day, while I typically enjoy museums the museums we saw didn't feel indicative of the Israeli culture. The content seemed to be similar to that of any musesum who could find anywhere, perhaps even the Natural History Museum in NYC or the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Discovery Museum also in NYC. So this point of view brings me quickly to the change for today...
I AM IN ISRAEL, the holy city, where Jesus walked and preached, when civializations have been created and destroyed where some would say religion was born!!!!! DON'T WASTE THE TIME WITH DISCONTENTMENT! I want to be a more optomistic person, carpe diem, be in the moment and not be critical.
I think the turning point today came for me at dinner, we had an AMAZING dinner where I had the best salad, Mistress Salad with a blue cheese that I enjoyed (if you really know me you understand why that is shocking and worth noting) and a FABULOUS fetuccini with tomato basil cream sause and the same cheese on top (still enjoyed it). We then went to have waffles for dessert and mine was topped with butter scotch and pecans, Caro had chocolate sauce and bananas and Seth (aka Rabbi) had whipped cream and cookie pieces and cream cheese and cinnamon. As if that wasn't enough I then had a cup of the most wonderfully perfect hot chocolate-it might have been literally been melted chocolate in a cup. We also had great dinner conversation about religions and beliefs and were lucky enough ot have Seth's father (Mr. Goren) with us who toured us around the perimeter of the Old City before we came home, that is when it felt real. We saw the large walls enclosing the city, that up to this point we have only see in model replicas (though great replicas-they didn't make it seem real). This made me excited for tomorrow when we actuall get to go into the City of David, walk the stations of the cross and enter the Church of the Holy Sepluchar (clearly we are visiting the Christian and then the Armenia quarters of the city).
I am ready to really begin this Israel adventure tomorrow and get to be in the city and see things. It will likely still be raining but by now we are used to being cold and a bit damp so I say bring on the holy land, I have been blogging about being it in but feel like we aren't really there yet!
Want to know even more about our adevntures here in Jerusalem...then check out my friends too!
Shout out to my newest blog groupie, Alissa Sperling! You can read about her adventures at Alissaintheholyland.blogsot.com!
Don't forget about Carolina too at carointheholyland.blogspot.com
Friday, March 2, 2012
Snow in Jerusalem?!
That is right, the first time in 4 years that it has snowed in Jerusalem and you guessed it, it was the first full day the Lehigh contingent spent in the city. I mean it is the year of the extreme anomalies for Lehigh, so why not bring them with us to a foreign country!
After it took us about 40 minutes to go 10 miles in the icy snow up Mount Hertzel we arrived at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. We spent the better part of the morning going through this amazing experience and for those of you who have been to the museum in DC this is equally as powerful of an experience, but in a very respectful way that honors the Jewish people while illuminating the horrific tragedy that they experienced, regardless of their direct connection to the massacre. I could literally write forever and not begin to hit the highlights from this morning so I think I will sum it up with the change to stay true to my blog's purpose. I want to live my life in a fashion that allows me to experience more totally bone chilling and awe inspiring moments. The moment today came for me in the Hall of Names at the end of the museum. Pages of testimonies were recorded in the Hall of Names, millions in fact to remember those that we slaughtered by the Reich. When you see something that well designed and executed, that is of the shear magnitude that it was, and knowing that at least 1/2 to 1/3 of it was left empty because whole communities were killed with no one to testify to them or remember them it gives you (or me at least) goose bumps for minutes on end.
Y'varekh'kha Ad-nai v'yishm'rekha - God bless and keep your souls
After lunch at Yad Vashem we moved onto the market in Jerusalem (no it was not snowing still but I believe is was colder in at the market than it was in December when I was in Denmark!). As today is Friday, meaning that the Sabbath starts as sundown, the shoppers come to do last minute Shabat shopping and the merchants close early to get home for their celebrations as well. This market makes the Allentown farmers market look like the produce section in Target. And I learned my Hebrew word of the day, "Shekit" which means shut up and listen (but a bit more strongly!) as many of the merchants would yell this across the walkway to each other in a mocking fashion, and Alissa Sperling had a Hebrew school teacher who would use this as the greeting to the announcements over the loud speaker each day (love ya Dottie). I am really glad that we get to go back later in the week because I am excited to try my hand at bartering again, I only got 5 Shekles off my purchase but I did get my picture take when the shop owner since it was my first try at haggling. I did breakdown and purchase 2 items for myself (THANK YOU CARO for talking me into it!) at a artists co-op that are perfect, I will post photos of them when I return, as they are both fragile pottery that are wrapped amazingly well right now!
An Opening Evening with Gershom Gorenberg
After our nap and dinner we had an amazing discussion with this author and journalist. Gorenberg has written a few books and covered a variety of charged situations about the conflict between Israel and Palestine much of which to summed up in an hour long lecture type of discussion with us.
He posed questions to the group and then answered them as a way of conveying his perspective to us, which comes from his study of the interaction of religion and politics. Some of the most fascinating were, Why is Jerusalem here? How many times is Jerusalem referenced in the Torah or Quran and are we prisoners of stories and symbols? How would you answer these questions, or better yet do you feel like you have enough background to be able to answer them? I know I didn't feel like I could last night, but now I feel like as a part of my change mantra it is a duty to help others begin to explore them, and because I think a part of my constant change is to feel more capable and confident with religion and my ability to critique it and accept what I believe as a result of the education and critique.
Why is Jerusalem here?
In short because of the sanctity of the place. Specifically, rulers and kings conquer or take over (perhaps you could use the word supersede here, as in supersessionism of Christianity over Judiasm) holy places, things that are of value to others in order for them to loose hope or to make them follow the new regime. Temple 1 built by Solomon on a mound and destroyed by Babylonians, Temple 2 built and on the same mound then Herod expands the mound to give a larger space to worship and builds walls around the mound, all of which were destroyed (except for the Western Wall), by the Romans in the siege and the Jews were banned from being there, Muslims then built the Islamic shrine (mosque) on the site of temple known as the Dome of the Rock.
Jerusalem is NOT mentioned in the Torah or the Quran. That doesn't mean that is isn't eluded to in other ways but it is never mentioned as Jerusalem. For instance is Genesis the binding of Issac is talked about and it happens on Mount Moriah. It is however mentioned in the New Testament as where the ultimate religious individual goes through the ultimate religious test (Jesus & the crucifixion).
Finally we are prisoners of stories and symbols if we wish to be. People can be controlled by them and/or they can also use them. Stories and symbols are peoples facts and people need to own them and honor them. This does not necessarily make them historically factual.
And thus brings me to the end of Gershom, which was also the same meaning of my blog from yesterday. You must recognize that people are telling their stores and their truth is factual for them, you however have to choose how you will interpret those stories.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Jet lagged but we have arrived!
Well you may have noticed my post from the plane was a bit hard to read, that was because the Blogger site was in Hebrew! After some quick translation by our trusty Rabbi we are back in English, better for you and me!
When we arrived we were met by our IsraelExperts tour guide Yael and our guard Bachi (ba key) and then visited the Israel Museum. We were all exhausted after our 10 hour flight and the hour bus ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem but our guide is amazing and we have already learned so much.
At the museum we were able to see an amazing model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period. I have some fabulous photos that I will annotate and upload a bit later in the week. Basically we were able to see what the with looked like with the full temple, enact Wailing (Western) Wall and the surrounding villages. Having this perspective going into the city tomorrow will be so helpful.
We were also able to tour 3 different synagogues in the museum that had been reconstructed from places like Italy, India and the Carribean. And we were able to learn a bit about the life cycle of a Jew from birth and the Briss ceremony through death and preparation for burial. After about 3 hours in the museum we were all exhausted and able to check into our hotel, Park Hotel in Jerusalem. From there we slept for about 4 hours and just had dinner, an extremely yummy brisket, baby potatoes, rice and assorted salads. The food was amazing, and it makes me very excited to eat more whe I am actually hungry (we ate all day really).
In a bit we get to meet with one of the NY Times best selling authors we will be reading later in the course, so that is very exciting, and then back to bed to be rested and ready for a full day tomorrow!
So back to my angle, what has been changed as a result of today? I was confronted with a few personal thoughts today, many centering around cultural otherness and privilege. A few times I found myself looking for a more polite and customer service oriented perspective from cashiers or museum attendants. We were told that Israelis are a blunt people and I found myself judging that cultural bluntness in my head as rude or disrespectful. That is a very American perspective to take and one that I then found myself reflecting on as it would happen. I also thought a few times about the statistics or generalizations Yael, our guide, would make. I was crtically pondering in my head, how much of this is her individual interpretation as a secular Jew (as she disclosed) and an individual citizen of Israel versus the reality of all people. Yeal has been guiding tours for 15 years so I would imagine she is very knowledgeable though I do find myself using a critical lens to interpert the information she gives us.
My Hebrew word of the day it, "Toda" which means thank you so "Toda for reading, more tomorrow!"
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Many things can be done on a ten hour plane flight, most of which involve snacking, sleeping and watching old/new movies-I did some of all three but I also did some learning that is the focus of this entry.
iTunesU came through and I want to highly recommend a few short videos. The first is a speech and Q&A done by Ehud Barak, former Israel Prime Minister and Minister of Defense from the 2001 Achievement Summit in San Antonio, TX. Hearing his life story and the amazing leadership philosophy that he has shaped truly emphasized for me that what I am teaching students about "social change" leadership is applicable beyond a "fuzzy" environment and is what is at the heart of how he has approached his view of peace between Israel and Palestine. The entire 15 minute speech is amazing but there are a few quotes I will share with you if you aren't able to watch the whole piece.
"leadership is about changing reality it's not just about living through the experiences, that you need to use your courage, your conviction, your vision and your beliefs to act to change what happens around us."
"I find what motivates leaders more than achievement is a profound search for meaning...what really connects us to those we lead beyond our physical bodies is what differentiates us from chimpanzees and microorganisms, it is our self awareness and our inner search for meaning."
I don't think that the Social Change Model itself could say it better. The end of leadership is about making a positive social change in the community you are a part of and that is what Barak seems to be committed to from what I could tell from his speech. The foundation of the Social Change Model is self consciousness, or what I tell students is self awareness, just as Barak noted.
Another iTunesU speech, also from the Achievement Summit, though a different year, is one given by Shimon Perez. More than direct quotes, from that I took a sense of what I will call inspirational intelligence. Perez, former Prime Minister after the Rabin assassination, and the President of Israel, shows a true world understanding of peace and terror and what propagates both. Just listening to his address gives you the sense that a peaceful solution is possible, though in light of terror and fanaticism it is often hard to see and harder to get others to commit to.
Finally, for those of you have a more in depth understanding of Israeli politics I would suggests a podcast, "Kol Hadish Humanistic Congregation-Israel and Palestine from 2/10/12" or another iTunesU podcast, "A public talk by Arie M Dubanov, Acting Assistant Professor of History, Stanford University. The two explore what a single state solution could look like and the history of a prominent Zionist figure, Berlin. More than anything these both illustrate that there are so many ways to look at the history of Israel and Palestine and how possible solutions are often derived by the historical happenings, practices, and beliefs rather than the hope that could await the future.
While the "change" in this entry is more of a feeling of global validation for more work on a professional level, I think personally I was inspired to be more open to seek out what can seems like a perspective that may be a world apart, but could actually be more aligned and eye opening that what you think.
Newark Here We Come
Well the adventure begins we are on our way to Newark! Shocking that someone overslept, but as always we have a trusty Head Gyphon on the trip who was able to "swipe" in and get our slightly sleepy student up and on our mini bus with us.
I was asked what the angle for my blog would be, good question! I think I am going to stick with "to change a few things" as the angle. I am exploring how this trip will change me as a professional, as a Christian and as a citizen of this larger world. I am going to explore all those things, and probably go off on tangents just so all my readers are prepared!
I am left with a quote from Wicked, "Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I've been changed for good!"
All I can say at this point as we begin, is that I am not sure how I will be changed by this trip, but I am positive I will be changed forever by this once in a lifetime experience.
You can also check out my partner in crime's blog carointheholyland!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Packing Up
In January tomorrow seemed far away, like it would never be a reality. The suitcase is packed, the carry on ready with the essentials, iPad, iPhone and iPod (really Apple, you are taking over my life) and my passport awaiting it's next stamp!
I am not sure what will come next but a friend gave me a card that read, "She packed up her potential and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes and headed out to change a few things." And I must say I have learned a great deal in this class in the past 6 weeks and my Vibram toe shoes are ready to explore a new country so I think the only thing left is, "to change a few things."
That is what I will ponder throughout this blogging adventure, what in me, what about my beliefs, and what about the world will change as a result of my professional development, personal pilgrimage and religious awakening in Israel will change as a result of exploring the holiest place on Earth. I don't know, but I will begin my journey tomorrow and keep you all posted!
Shalom
I am not sure what will come next but a friend gave me a card that read, "She packed up her potential and all she had learned, grabbed a cute pair of shoes and headed out to change a few things." And I must say I have learned a great deal in this class in the past 6 weeks and my Vibram toe shoes are ready to explore a new country so I think the only thing left is, "to change a few things."
That is what I will ponder throughout this blogging adventure, what in me, what about my beliefs, and what about the world will change as a result of my professional development, personal pilgrimage and religious awakening in Israel will change as a result of exploring the holiest place on Earth. I don't know, but I will begin my journey tomorrow and keep you all posted!
Shalom
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