During the winter break of 2016, I spent ten days in Israel. Fortunate enough to be chosen to go on this Israel Uncovered trip with the David Project, I am forever grateful for the experiences and perspective I gained while there.
When I came back home many people asked me about the trip and what I did while I was there. I told them stuff on a basic level, not knowing how to explain anything more because I didn't know how to put my feelings into words. My heart felt so many feelings I had never felt before, so many emotions more powerful than I had ever felt. The connection with others both on the trip and Israelis and Palestinians was something beyond words. It felt like home, with a family, even though we had all just met.
The places where I felt calm and comforted but also the places that made me question my privileges and other experiences that I have been so lucky to have had that others haven't. Playgrounds with bomb shelters, churches built around many different beliefs and religions, youth villages, towns often hit by handmade rockets, a wall separating parts of the country, things I have not experienced but saw first hand and heard the stories of those that live there.
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| Bomb shelters in a children's park in Sderot. |
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| Bomb shelter outside a building in Sderot. |
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| Gaza Overlook |
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| Graffiti on wall separating Palestine and Israel |
But in a place of conflict there was also so much calmness and beauty.
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| Tel-Aviv |
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| Outside the Old City in Jeruslaem |
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| Scarves and purses being sold by a shop in the Christian Quarter, Old City |
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| Bell tower pf the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Palestine |
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| Courtyard in the Church of the Nativity |
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| Bethlehem, Palestine |
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| The City of David |
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| Kotel, Western Wall, Old City Jerusalem |
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| Mount of Beatitudes |
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| Beatitude Monastery on the Mount |
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A group spoke called Roots during one of our sessions. They spoke how they are working together as Palestinians and Israelis to move away from all the hatred, and helping people to understand, trust and empathize for one another. This was the most impactful part of the trip for me in my ideas of social justice work and issues. You aren't always going to understand someone else's story, but it's important to start by listening
This trip allowed me to see more than one side of a story. It allowed me to question things I thought I knew about; politics, religious beliefs, and myself as a person. It made me want to dedicate more of my time to things I am passionate about, fight more for what I believe in and things that are my personal truth. It also wanted me advocate for both Palestine and Israel, and learn more about the conflict and climate there now. I grew to know that there is more than two sides to every story, and each side is just as valuable as the others. People are complex, that makes each conflict complex and not limited to only two sides, however you may look at it.
This trip gave me a new outlook on life and myself. It gave me new friends and a new family. Most importantly it gave me a new passion for dedication and service. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.
Friends of Roots: http://friendsofroots.net/index.html
The David Project: http://www.davidproject.org/
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