Seminar #3 Weekend - Jerusalem

On this seminar trip, we got to explore and party in Jerusalem, the holiest city! This trip's theme was about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, so already we knew going into this seminar it would be a heavy and heated weekend. 

Thursday November 14
Early in the morning, we traveled to Almog, a small Kibbutz about 45 minutes outside of Jerusalem. We met up with our Netanya and Beit-She'an teacher fellows, the same group we do all our seminar trips with. We also had the pleasure to meet the Israel Corps group from Kiryat Shmona (up north) who were joining us for the weekend. This group volunteers for 4 months in Israel, participating in many volunteer opportunities from teaching in schools, working on farms, building community irrigation systems, and other wonderful things. It was so great to meet a new group of Israelis/Americans/Canadians!

View from the Kibbutz 

Walking to the dinning hall

We arrived at Almog and listened to a lecture from a woman representing StandWithUs, an organization that works to inform the world about the conflicts in Israel and the Middle East, and to spread the truth, not like what the media, especially, American media, like to say is the "truth." I really support this organization and follow them and their affiliates closely on Facebook. It was so fascinating to really look back at Israel's history and learn about all the major wars, the Israeli-Palestinian Intifadas (Arabic for uprising. Look it up if you are interested, these are major events in Israel's recent history), and what is currently going on in Israel. 

Afterward we had lunch in the dinning hall with some delicious food. We then had time to get ready to leave for Jerusalem. 

We arrived at a hotel to listen to the bereaved stories of a Palestinian mother and widow whose husband was killed by Israeli policemen in Jerusalem 10 years ago, and an Israeli father whose Israeli Defense Force daughter was killed by Gaza rockets 5 years ago. This forum was probably the highlight of my weekend because I believe it is so important to hear both sides to a story, and with this major conflict between these people, this type of forum is a privilege to be a part of. 

We then departed for the Jerusalem International Center where we attended the Mega Event for Masa, with 1,000+ other Masa participants and Israel Scouts. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu came and spoke to us which was a huge honor for us. He normally does not have time to make appearances like these, so it really went to show just how much Israel and the Ministry appreciates Masa. 

After a speech from the Jewish Agency's Chairman Natan Sharansky (he's a big deal and a fascinating person, look him up too), we had the great honor to enjoy a free concert from world famous artist Idan Raichel, best known for the Idan Raichel Project where he is not the frontman of this band, but where all the musicians collaborate together to make beautiful music. He is a world renowned Israeli recording artist who has performed and recorded songs with some of the world's top artists, including Alicia Keys. I had actually never really listened to him before this concert, but now I am a huge fan of his music. It's a mix of Hebrew, Arabic, Ethiopian, with gypsy, tango and jazz music. 

Here's just a taste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUnRhRLQ7z8&list=RDHaCpc7osbek

The International Center in Jerusalem

Netanyahu! 

Natan Sharansky - Chairman of the Jewish Agency

The Idan Raichel Project

Ran into Alastair and our Canadian friends on the way out of the venue!

Friday November 15
The next day we had breakfast and then were split into our city groups to explore the Security Fence. Again, if you don't know what this is, it's worth looking into. It's a very controversial fence, part concrete wall and part actual fence. It separates Israeli and Palestinian lands and has gained both criticism and praise from around the world. We were taken all around Jerusalem by bus to see all different sides of the fence. We were even able to see Bethlehem from one vantage point. Since Bethlehem is in the West Bank, we're not really allowed to visit this holy city while on our ITF program. But, anyone not holding an Israeli passport is allowed to enjoy this beautiful city for the day or two. 

Roommates:)

The Security Fence - very powerful to see in person

The fence...half concrete, half wire

Bethlehem in the distance

Parts of a bus that was blown up in 2002. The pieces were used to create a Star of David in the victims' memory.

We then had free time to go to the shuk, Mehane Yehuda, one of my favorite places in Jerusalem. I got to meet up with my dear British friend Alastair, who as I've mentioned before is studying in Israel for a semester (he has actually already left by the time this blog is posted). He knows this market inside and out so my friend David and I went around the market finding shawarma lunch (delicious as always), going to the famous bakery Marzipan to get some rugelach and other goodies for Shabbat. How I am going to survive back home in America without rugelach I don't know. 

Can't get enough of this lovable Brit!

We then headed back to the Kibbutz, got ready for Shabbat, then had Kabbalat Shabbat and D'var Torah readings (welcoming Shabbat and speaking about that week's Torah portion). David and I were asked to speak about that week's Torah portion. It was about Esau coming to see Jacob after the two parted on bad terms. Joseph heard his brother was coming with an army of men so he feared whether or not Esau would bring love or war. In the end, the evil brother brought love and asked Jacob to leave his family and life behind in the desert and to travel with him. Depending on your audience and your role in the Jewish community, the point of a D'var Torah is to give your own opinion of what this portion means to you. 

So, I spoke about how this portion reminds me of my own personal conflict between America and Israel. Do I leave everything behind that I know in America and make Aliyah (a permanent move) to Israel or do I return back to what I know is comfortable and what I call home. Israel to me is my Esau, a place to continue traveling and seek other opportunities in life. America is my Joseph, where my family and friends are and where I know I feel safe. But, at the same time, traveling is an adventure, it's exciting, I meet new people all the time, and it's something I long to do for my whole life. I am asked every day by Israelis if I will make Aliyah, and for now, I can't answer that question because it's a huge leap in life that I am not sure I am willing to take at the present moment. Maybe later in life, I will want to come back. And the good thing is, Israel will always be here so I can always visit. But to live here permanently is a scary thing to think about and a decision I am not ready to make while on my program. 

Afterward we had a lovely dinner, then broke out into our city groups to have more discussions about the seminar's theme. Then we were split up into groups with the other cities and had to perform a skit for everyone. The skit had to do with a Jewish tale. Every group had a theme, my group's being the 60s so we made our story have a hippie twist. It was so fun to put on for everyone and our's got a ton of laughs and won the "competition!"

We then had the rest of the night to do whatever we wanted: explore the kibbutz, sing songs, eat, play guitars, or go to bed!

Saturday November 16
The next morning I woke up early to go on a hike in the Judean Desert to Ogg River (although there was not a river, it was all dried up during this time of year). This was an optional part of the seminar but I never like to miss out on an opportunity to hike! It was so beautiful and we heard many fascinating stories, including the fact that King David ran away to hide away in this vast desert valley when he was run out of his kingdom. During peak rain season, there can be flash floods through these valleys so tours have to be cancelled during this time. But on our day, the skies were clear, and the weather was most ideal. It was a great way to start the Shabbath. 

Judean Desert hike

My pal, Hal:)

Kari and me

We had lunch when we got back, had an activity to discuss issues here in Israel, had Havdallah to close Shabbat, ate dinner, then headed back to our respective cities. 

I cannot wait for the next seminar trip, in the Golan Heights!