Before coming to Israel, if you asked me what it meant to be a part of Am Israel I would have probably mentioned the earliest Jews wandering in the desert for many years. However, being in Israel for these past three and a half months has given me so much new insight on not only what it means to be Jewish, but what it means to be a part of Am Yisrael.
Part of me wants to say that all Jews are a part of Am Yisrael, however, it depends who you ask. In my personal opinion, I think that if you identify as Jewish, then you are a part of Am Yisrael. On the other hand, if you ask a member of the ultra-orthodox community they may not consider many people as a part of Am Yisrael because they do not see any other sect of Judaism as legitimate. As history has showed us, there are also many complications that come along with being a part of Am Yisrael. As these Jewish people, we have been persecuted for thousands of years. We always seem to have a target on our backs, but I think that is what has made us so much stronger. To me, someone who is a part of Am Yisrael is someone with Jewish values, who supports Israel, and is a part of the Jewish community.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
Palestinian Speakers: Kids4Peace
Yesterday we went on a Tiyul to the Supreme Court, which was very fascinating! Afterwards, we went to look at and learn about the wall that separates the West Bank from the rest of Israel. We learned about the multiple Intifadas and suicide bombings that have occurred somewhat recently in Israel. Last night, we had three speakers from an organization called Kids4Peace come and talk with us.
One of the speakers was a Palestinian who was Muslim, and the other two were Jewish Israelis. They came to tell us about the organization that they are a part of, and their feelings about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. What I found most interesting about these three speakers was that they were all fairly young. The oldest was the Palestinian guy in his 20s, and the two Israelis were around 15 and 16, which amazed me.
In their organization, they are working with Israelis, Palestinians, Muslims, Jews, Christians, etc, to promote peace, and to promote the two sides working together. Although the things that they are doing both inside and outside of this organization are quite interesting and impressive, I was a little bit disappointed with what they had to say. What bothered me the most was that they seemed uneducated. They didn't seem to have much knowledge of the actual conflict between Israel and Palestine, or what we were even fighting for. We asked them a series of questions about the conflict between the two religions and countries, the physical barrier that separates the two, a one-state vs. two-state solution, the government, and what they believe should be done to resolve these issues. All three of them basically had the same answer to these questions: peace. Peace would be an incredible thing to have, however, it doesn't just magically appear out of nowhere. There are many steps that would have to be taken in order to maintain peace between the two sides, and I think that is sometimes overlooked. Sure, we can say say that both sides should stop fighting in order to maintain peace, however, it is much more complicated than that. This issue is one that thousands of people have lost their lives over, and it won't be resolved so simply.
There was one point that they made that especially bothered me. They pretty much said that they don't think Zionism is important, and that they think it is more important to have one state for all races and religions, than to have a Jewish state. And this was coming from Israelis!! Even I, a person who is in Israel for their first time, believe that it is so incredibly important to have a Jewish state. Jews have been persecuted for thousands of years, and we deserve a safe place to come and live freely.
One of the speakers was a Palestinian who was Muslim, and the other two were Jewish Israelis. They came to tell us about the organization that they are a part of, and their feelings about the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. What I found most interesting about these three speakers was that they were all fairly young. The oldest was the Palestinian guy in his 20s, and the two Israelis were around 15 and 16, which amazed me.
In their organization, they are working with Israelis, Palestinians, Muslims, Jews, Christians, etc, to promote peace, and to promote the two sides working together. Although the things that they are doing both inside and outside of this organization are quite interesting and impressive, I was a little bit disappointed with what they had to say. What bothered me the most was that they seemed uneducated. They didn't seem to have much knowledge of the actual conflict between Israel and Palestine, or what we were even fighting for. We asked them a series of questions about the conflict between the two religions and countries, the physical barrier that separates the two, a one-state vs. two-state solution, the government, and what they believe should be done to resolve these issues. All three of them basically had the same answer to these questions: peace. Peace would be an incredible thing to have, however, it doesn't just magically appear out of nowhere. There are many steps that would have to be taken in order to maintain peace between the two sides, and I think that is sometimes overlooked. Sure, we can say say that both sides should stop fighting in order to maintain peace, however, it is much more complicated than that. This issue is one that thousands of people have lost their lives over, and it won't be resolved so simply.
There was one point that they made that especially bothered me. They pretty much said that they don't think Zionism is important, and that they think it is more important to have one state for all races and religions, than to have a Jewish state. And this was coming from Israelis!! Even I, a person who is in Israel for their first time, believe that it is so incredibly important to have a Jewish state. Jews have been persecuted for thousands of years, and we deserve a safe place to come and live freely.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Likud-Shas Deal Article
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Likud-Shas-deal-to-transfer-rabbinical-courts-to-Religious-Services-Ministry-rallies-criticism-402171
The link above is to an article that I read having to do with current events. In the article, it mentions that Shas recently joined the Coalition, and grants the Haredi party control of the ministry. it talks about how there was an agreement made between Likud an Shas, saying that the rabbinical courts system can be transferred from the judge ministry to the religious services ministry. However, the transferring of these courts is a problem because the rabbinical courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Jewish marriage and divorce. The transferring of rabbinical courts also greatly effects the marriage and divorce rights for women, because the rabbinical courts rule the validity of marriage, and of Jewish law related to manage.
Reading this article, I became very frustrated, because I feel like the Ultra-Orthodox have such a strong influence in Israel, taking more and more power away from all other sects of Judaism. In reality, the Ultra-Orthodox are quite a minority in Israel, so it's upsetting to me that they control much of the country, and can make most of the country's decisions. I have always believed in equal rights for both men and women, and especially talking to Anat Hoffman today, I have gained a whole new outlook on the importance in advocating for women's rights in Israel. If we don't argue and fight for our rights, we may never get them. I think that from here, we can only move forward. It's important that women continue to fight for their rights, no matter what they are. And one day, I hope our voices will be heard.
The link above is to an article that I read having to do with current events. In the article, it mentions that Shas recently joined the Coalition, and grants the Haredi party control of the ministry. it talks about how there was an agreement made between Likud an Shas, saying that the rabbinical courts system can be transferred from the judge ministry to the religious services ministry. However, the transferring of these courts is a problem because the rabbinical courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Jewish marriage and divorce. The transferring of rabbinical courts also greatly effects the marriage and divorce rights for women, because the rabbinical courts rule the validity of marriage, and of Jewish law related to manage.
Reading this article, I became very frustrated, because I feel like the Ultra-Orthodox have such a strong influence in Israel, taking more and more power away from all other sects of Judaism. In reality, the Ultra-Orthodox are quite a minority in Israel, so it's upsetting to me that they control much of the country, and can make most of the country's decisions. I have always believed in equal rights for both men and women, and especially talking to Anat Hoffman today, I have gained a whole new outlook on the importance in advocating for women's rights in Israel. If we don't argue and fight for our rights, we may never get them. I think that from here, we can only move forward. It's important that women continue to fight for their rights, no matter what they are. And one day, I hope our voices will be heard.
Monday, May 4, 2015
My Final Month on EIE
The fact that it's already May terrifies me. I remember getting off the airplane in Israel and being surrounded by 72 fresh faces, excited, but nervous for the journey that lay ahead. That day feels like it was just yesterday, but in reality, it was three months ago. My time here has flown by more quickly than I ever thought it would. Time here passes like it does at camp: a day is a week, and a week is a day. Meaning that each day feels like forever, but the days fly by.
Well, three months have already flown by, and my friends and family are counting down the days and hours until I return home, but I am nowhere near ready to leave this incredible place that has now become my home. I'm going to save the sappy "I love EIE" and "I've had the time of my life" stuff for a few weeks down the road, when I unfortunately have to return home, but I wanted to use this time to brainstorm ways to continue my Judaism and love for Israel outside of this program.
As I have mentioned before, I have been attending URJ Camp Newman for the past 10 summers. Camp is the place in which I feel most connected to my Judaism, that was until I came to Israel at least. Israel has given me a completely new sense of myself, especially as a Jew. I'm truly looking forward to returning this summer to be a CIT, surrounded by many of my camp friends who are now EIE peers, and helping to instill a more meaningful Jewish experience into my campers. Israel has instilled so much knowledge, history, freedom, and responsibility in me, and I'm really excited to be able to bring these things back to America with me, never forgetting Israel and all that it's helped me achieve.
Well, three months have already flown by, and my friends and family are counting down the days and hours until I return home, but I am nowhere near ready to leave this incredible place that has now become my home. I'm going to save the sappy "I love EIE" and "I've had the time of my life" stuff for a few weeks down the road, when I unfortunately have to return home, but I wanted to use this time to brainstorm ways to continue my Judaism and love for Israel outside of this program.
As I have mentioned before, I have been attending URJ Camp Newman for the past 10 summers. Camp is the place in which I feel most connected to my Judaism, that was until I came to Israel at least. Israel has given me a completely new sense of myself, especially as a Jew. I'm truly looking forward to returning this summer to be a CIT, surrounded by many of my camp friends who are now EIE peers, and helping to instill a more meaningful Jewish experience into my campers. Israel has instilled so much knowledge, history, freedom, and responsibility in me, and I'm really excited to be able to bring these things back to America with me, never forgetting Israel and all that it's helped me achieve.
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