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!

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