Welcome to South Tel Aviv. Unlike the Disneyland that many American teens expect to find on their Israel trip, South Tel Aviv seemed more like Buckeye and Kinsman or Ellis Island. Both sides of the streets had people selling junk: used shoes, clothes and electronics. Read the rest of this entry »
At a book fair in Tel Aviv I talked to some Israelis about their opinions of Palestinians. One young woman who had moved to Israel on her own from California said that the Israeli atmosphere definitely changed her opinions to be more radical, but she still believes that peace is both necessary and possible. Another young Russian couple said they believe that peace is a possibility, but it takes time. Read the rest of this entry »
On the most fundamental level all humans are similar. This realization came to me on the Write On For Israel trip as I spent a day with Arab teens. Learning a dance together, talking, playing Frisbee and suffering through a not-so-exciting presentation, I began to bond with some of these kids. Their hospitality and friendliness really warmed me and made me view them not based on their Arab identity but on their personalities. Read the rest of this entry »
The streets of Jerusalem are the most hectic streets I have ever been to. Everyone in the city always has a place to be and is usually late getting there. There are too many people rushing to get to where they’re going. The old streets are too narrow for the vast population because they were built for a city a fifth of the size. As I scanned this frantic city from a lookout park, I saw the densely packed apartments, the crazy streets and hilly landscape. The city’s hectic nature might bother some people who like calm, peaceful openness but I am encouraged by the fact that all of the inhabitants are willing to endure the tight circumstances in order to live in the holy city of Jerusalem.
As I recited the afternoon prayers on the beach while the sun was setting, I thought to myself, “How did an Orthodox Jew like me end up praying on the shore of a Palestinian fishing village?” Read the rest of this entry »
“Music chooses you.” This is a perfect description of how Israelis Mika Karni and her husband, Miki Shaviv, fell into musical performance years ago. When we asked what drove them to become musicians, Mika said, “Music chooses you… It’s not that you want to do it, it’s that you need to do it.” Playing off the musical influences of Joni Mitchell, and her husband’s love of Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Tommy Steele, the duo began writing their own songs and performing at Attic Concerts every Friday night. Read the rest of this entry »
A giant bird swooping down from the sky was the savior for a group of Jews hoping to flee the religious oppression of the Ethiopian government. Their wish was to immigrate to their ancestral homeland, where the streets were paved in gold. Little did they know that this “bird” was an airplane, and Israel’s streets would not be paved with gold. Read the rest of this entry »
Erev Shabbat we walked through the Arab market, a never-ending tunnel that I hoped would eventually lead us to the Kotel (Western Wall). As we approached the Kotel, the roar of prayers, chants, and songs grew louder and clearer. Every member of our group was growing anxious and excited, anticipating the religious and moving experience we were about to have. It was not our first time at this holy site for most of us, but for a few, it was a new experience. Finally, a sea of black decorated with specks of army green came into sight. On the men’s side, soldiers and Hasidim celebrated and sang at the top of their lungs, welcoming the Sabbath. Read the rest of this entry »
Write On For Israel (WOFI) is an intensive two-year program that trains a select group of 24 high school students each year to become advocates for Israel here in Cleveland and, later, on their college campuses. In year one, high school juniors study the history and conflicts of the Middle East with a focus on Israel’s diverse population and culture and its relationship with its neighbors. This is accomplished through seminars taught by local educators and guest speakers. WOFI-ites are also taught verbal and writing skills helpful in promoting advocacy. Read the rest of this entry »
“Hi, we’re part of a program from America so that we can learn how to advocate for Israel on college campuses. Could we do an interview with you?”
I always gave that introduction in Hebrew, but the next question I asked, “Can we do the interview in English?” tended to earn an impressive array of negative body language. But the answer often still was yes. It seemed that the Israelis we interviewed were as eager to practice English as I was to practice my Hebrew, and I often gave in to the Israelis who, on hearing an American accent, would determinedly continue in English. Read the rest of this entry »
