Balance Is Key

       I honestly believe that the art of balance is one of the most important aspects in life. For a generation overwhelmed by the coolest new gadgets, the most popular movies and songs, and an inherent desire to always want more than we have, it can sometimes be hard to learn how to balance all of the features that make up our lives. However, the reality is that you can't have everything and you can't do everything at the same time. Growing up Jewish in a community that is mostly Christian, I am often faced with the difficult decision of choosing between my social life with friends from school, or attending religious events, whether they be holidays, hebrew school, or family dinners. Many times, I've had to leave school early in order to be present for these times, or I've had to tell friends that I wasn't able to hang out with them. Having to choose between my religion and my American culture has been extremely difficult, and sometimes it makes one seem like it was more important than the other when that isn't the case at all.
       I remember the chaos that surrounded bar/bat mitzvah season (that one year where almost every weekend is booked with at least one bar or bat mitzvah and even when you think there are no more left, you are proved wrong). I'm not going to lie, I loved attending these parties, showing off my newest fancy dress and heels, having an excuse to straighten my hair and put on excessive makeup, eating free food and dancing all night with friends. For a thirteen year old girl, it was basically the dream. However, the complication was that for those weekends, I was solely with my jewish friends and family. I would have to tell people that I was busy if they asked to hang out and many of the times, I would miss out on activities that my school friends would be doing. Having to make the decision to choose between the two parts of my social life was extremely difficult at the time, knowing that if I went to one, I'd miss out on the other. But, I've learned that I can't do everything, and learning how to balance the two did not come easy. I made sure that I had time for my friends from school and my friends and family integrated in with my religion. I've come to accept the fact that both my Judaism and my American culture are part of who I am, and balancing the two is extremely rewarding because they both teach me so much. It doesn't mean that one is more important than the other, it just means that they are two equally impactful aspects of my life, that are significant in shaping who I am as a person today, and how I identify myself.

A Lesson A Day

       One of the most incredible aspects of being on this trip is the fact that our classroom is our surroundings and environment. Everyday when we wake up in the holy land, in Israel, it's not just the notes that we take on a page that are beneficial to the lesson of the day. Even just waking up to a view like no other, knowing that years and years ago this land was inhabited by our ancestors, is a feeling that will never get old. For me, learning is so much more than listening to a lecture and writing notes. The way I learn is by experience, by visual pictures and images, feelings and hands on activities. To go on our Tiyulim and be standing in the same area that an ancient building structure was made, looking at the same massive rocks that were put in place thousands of years ago, but that still remain in tact today, brings the classroom to life. In the sense that almost everything I have been learning, (especially being derived from the Tanakh) happened in Israel for the most part, when I'm able to look up from a text that I've been reading and see the actual, tangible place being described, it makes learning that much more meaningful.

Defensible Borders

     The debates over Israel’s territorial requirements have caused an uproar of conflicts and issues dealing with peace with the Palestinians. The numerous amount of hypothetical solutions, opinions, and disputes have been thrown around in hopes for a compromise, however, the desired peace of the two sides have many more complications then what is seen on the surface. One problem is that many politicians make convincing points, but they are not willing to listen to the other side in order to form some kind of compromise. For some, mostly the right wing politicians, giving up the West Bank is inconvenient and potentially dangerous for the rest of Israel, due to security concerns. However, even if Israel were to give up the West Bank as a solution, the possibility of a revolt or coup is feasible. According to Dore Gold, head of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, "it’s far better for Israel not to put itself in a position in which its vulnerabilities invite aggression but it is unable to respond with power." On the other hand, politicians on the left wing have proposed the two state solution, which may seem problematic and detrimental, but so far it has been the only long term solution (yet nothing has been put into action). The two state solution seems to be the most realistic result, however, the question of territorial division and borders is still prevalent, especially dealing with Jerusalem. What would be the result of the Arab population that is peacefully living next to Jewish ones? The diverse contradicting ideas and elements from all sides of the issue have made it extremely difficult to arrive at a steady solution for future peace, but now more than ever, a solution is necessary.

One Shuk Two Shuk Red Shuk Blue Shuk

       One of the most magical parts about being on this trip is the direct accessibility to the culture, tradition, and daily life of the people of Israel. On Friday, our group traveled to a shuk on the outskirts of Jerusalem, which is basically a busy marketplace. The atmosphere of the market was completely different then what I had been exposed to before on the trip. It was my first time actually engulfing and intertwining myself into the true essence of Israel, the daily lifestyles and people. I saw families with mothers caring for their small babies, young boys and girls running around aimlessly, couples kissing, old and young all gathered together in one small area. It's not that I hadn't seen situations like this before, it's that I was seeing these people live their lives doing their day to day activities which I could relate to (mostly shopping). Immediately after entering the shuk, I was overwhelmed by the amount of people buzzing around yelling, walking, biking, and pushing by. The narrow walkway leading straight through the market leaves a shopper little to no space to squeeze past dozens of vendors on either side of the road. It is easy to lose yourself among the colors, smells, touches, tastes, and sounds of the dried fruit, bright candies, silk clothes, and sparkling jewelry that scream out to you from every direction.
       Even though we were able to split up into small groups to travel around the shuk leaving the counselors behind, there was never a moment of fear from being safe or uncomfortable. Something about the unity, harmony, and collaboration of the scene transported me into a feeling of excitement to submerge myself into every object, food, cloth, and drink that I set my eyes on. It was my first time that I ate a falafel in Israel, and it was nothing far from incredibly delicious. As I walked around the shuk, falafel in one hand, Aroma iced coffee in the other, and a bag with a new pair of silky flowy paints that I had bought, it finally sunk in that I was in the land of Israel. I was here, in the moment, experiencing what almost every person goes through on a Friday preparing for Shabbat, roaming the market and preparing to celebrate the most heartfelt, richest, and truthful representation of Jewish life and culture.

"Crazy Jewish Mom"

     Many of us grow up under the wings of our parents, protecting, sheltering, and caring for their little babies. We are their most prized processions, their precious creations, and nothing is more comforting  to our parents than to know that we are safe and making good decisions. One of the hardest moments in the lives of parents is watching their children break free from their continuous care and support. Whether its for high school, college, moving out of the house after moving back in from college, or traveling the world, parents experience the traumatic feeling of not having constant control over their children's lives. For many parents, it is hard to accept the idea that their child will no longer be in their everyday lives, no longer having to send them off into the day with a bagged lunch and a kiss, and acknowledging the fact that they are slowly departing from their parental control. For Kate, in the article "Crazy Jewish Mom" her unnamed mother has a hard time letting go of the constant control over her daughters life. The article depicts the intimate relationship between a Jewish mother and her 26 year old daughter and the texts that she sends Kate, often referencing her love life, age, and weight. Her mother finds a way to interfere into Kate's life by setting up a JDate account and talking to men posing as Kate, constantly nudging her to work out, and making sure that she is as close to Kate (quite literally) at all times.
     For Kate, her mothers incessant texts are somewhat of a role model for the parent that she desires to be for her children. It's true that many parents discipline their children based off of the way they were raised and taught to behave. Similar morals and guidelines are often passed down from parent to child because it is the most familiar and they serve as a model for future generations. Sometimes, we need a little nudge in the right direction, a guidance to help us stay on track, but there are many times when we struggle to separate these "guidelines" from our own, honest decisions. For Kate, she is going to have to learn to live her own life, to create her own path and to use her mothers criticism not only as a reassurance of her love and care, but also to help point her in a direction that she may not have acknowledged. Even though she constantly receives advice from her mother, it doesn't mean that she has to agree or live by her words. The ability to understand her mothers position in supporting her, acknowledging her opinions, and then forming a life based on her own values, is extremely nurturing. As for Kate's mom, she will need to realize that the only life that she can control is her own, and that the best thing for her daughter is her independence.

An Unforgettable Connection

       Life is made up of many little moments, all equally important, and all strung together to create one tremendous and extravagant portrait. I like to think that this trip is just a small portion of the picture, however, it does not for a moment lack the vibrant colors, important sketches, and vivid imagery which are vital for the lasting impression which the beholder ensures. Every moment in the days that I have been here so far have undoubtably challenged and impacted not only my intellectual growth but my emotional, physical, and spiritual being as well. One moment that has influenced all of these aspects was when we had the opportunity to visit the Kotel, or rather, The Western Wall. From the moment I stepped off of the bus in Jerusalem, I was embedded by a feeling that I had not experienced yet on this trip, a direct connection to all four of the facets mentioned above, overwhelming me at the same time. The air I breathed in suddenly seemed lighter, and although there was an unfamiliarity to my surroundings, I was still comforted because there was a sense of unity and wholeness that I had not felt before between the people, the smells, the buildings and the views. As we approached the wall, I was engulfed by emotions. The view itself is breathtaking, without even having to be inside of the area, I could already feel a power greater than myself, something that I no longer had control over, guide]ing me. Unfortunately, it was inevitable to not be drawn to the separation barrier, disconnecting the women from the men. No matter if it is the first time seeing the wall or if you pray there everyday, this familiar or unfamiliar sight is disheartening, a reminder of the contrasting views and beliefs that make up the world. 

       Although the image of separation was evident, there was a remarkable beauty about being at the Wall, being surrounded by thousands of years of rich, devoted faith and history from people of all backgrounds and beliefs. That's the beauty of the Wall, it's been, and continues to be a physical feature of the power, resilience, and conviction of the Jewish people as a whole. As I walked to the front of the Wall, I noticed a group of women both young and old, grouped together standing next to the divider, raising their voices together as one in prayer. It was an incredible moment to experience, even from the outside. Not only were the women praying and chanting in song together, books raised high, but I noticed that they were actually praying simultaneously with a group of men only a few inches away from them behind the barrier. They were so close together that their prayerbooks seemed to be touching in the air. After finishing a prayer, booming laughter echoed from both sides of the divider as the men and women chuckled over a comment that a little boy made. These people, who did not see the faces of the opposite gender, were conjoined by their humanity, their faith and their worship. For a moment, watching them in awe, the divider seemed to disappear, and it became irrelevant to the significance of the situation. After being a witness to the holiness and complilation of the site, my thoughts regarding the importance and magnitude of the Kotel were validated. That moment, short and simple, filled with the foundations of religion such as faith, unity, and harmony and the simplicity of the capacities of human beings as in laughter, smiles, and song, were heightened. My thoughts regarding Judaism, my own identity, and the land on which I was standing were transcended by the coalition of an essence that reached beyond the minute element of a picture.