The following is a transcript of a talk delivered by Linda Williams at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on her recent visit to Israel under the auspices of the Jacobs International Teen Leadership Institute (JITLI).
By Linda Williams
SAN DIEGO — I was told I wasn’t going to be able to enter, I would have to stand outside. As one of the boys spoke to the guard we ran in behind them holding the hands of the Muslim girls who we had grown so close to. Once I entered, I stopped and just stared at the beauty that was in front of me. I was in Al Aqsa — the Dome of the Rock. Many times throughout the trip I was asked if I felt uncomfortable in a mosque? And every time my answer was automatically no. I was with people who I knew would protect me and be there for me despite what the world was saying. This is JITLI. “Well, what is JITLI?” someone asked when we were walking around. It is a series of moments like these that make you question everything that you have been taught, change what you used to believe and what you learned growing up, and make you question your morals.
I’m sure many of you are wondering what I’m talking about. I’ll start from the beginning. About a year ago I was told about this trip to Israel called JITLI. At first I didn’t care because I had already gone to Israel, but once I started learning more about the amazing experience I would have, the more I decided I wanted to give it a try. I signed up, did the interview, and was accepted. We started to meet every month building up to the trip.
Fast forward 8 months and we land in Israel. I’ll admit getting off the plane and not knowing what to expect was a little nerve racking. We walked out of the airport and there were 20 Bedouin Arabs from Lakia and Segev Shalom along with 10 Jews from Sha’ar HaNegev waiting for us with big smiles on their faces. Immediately I knew that I had gotten myself into something bigger, better, and different than I had ever imagined.
A few days in we all started to get to know one another. We had many deep conversations but one that really stood out to me was when we were at the water tunnels. Before we did this hike, we all separated into groups mixed with some Jews and some Arabs. We started to discuss military service and how it was mandatory for the Jews but not the Arabs. It got very heated with two very different sides. The argument went on but the amazing thing about it was how both the Jews and Arabs listened to each other. Although their opinions differed greatly they took the time to consider what the other side was saying and their reasoning behind it. They even started to change their opinions. This is the first instance in which I saw first hand how two very different sides can respect and value the other’s opinions was very touching. Being one of the few Americans in this group gave me a unique perspective on this situation because I hadn’t had an opinion on this topic or even put much thought into it before that. Having this conversation in Israel made it special, and much more real.
A few nights later on our first Shabbat together I was asked to speak about my traditions.When I got up to speak I told everyone about how USY celebrates Shabbat with songs and excitement. Then they asked me for an example. So I decided to sing Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu and showed them the dance. Everyone started to get up and dance as one. This is one of the most amazing moments because we were in Israel a special place for Jews and Arabs dancing laughing singing all together. I would have never thought that this would happen.
Our second Shabbat was spent with the Israeli Jews who all lived on a kibbutz. Before this trip, you can ask many people in my family, I would always say that kibbutz life wasn’t for me and I could never see myself living on a kibbutz. But now I can’t wait to go back. The community and happiness I experienced is something that we don’t see often in America. Even though they have bomb shelters in their houses because they lived about a mile away from Gaza they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I was curious to why they weren’t nervous that they were so close to the border so I asked my friend’s dad and he looked at me and said “99% of the time life here is heaven and 1% of the time life is hell and i wouldn’t give up one second of it.” I looked at him amazed and asked, “Are you never scared”. And he said “Fear is natural but if you let that fear take over then the other side wins.” The fact that they have to go through this but won’t leave reveals the true impact that Israel has on people and the connection that we all have to the land.
Following this we visited a little settlement, the only settlement in Israel where Jews and Arabs lived together Neve Shalom. We walked around and went to the place where they pray. There wasn’t a mosque or synagogue. There was a big, white, round building called Dumia. This is where everyone prayed in the settlement… together. It was so peaceful and beautiful looking out the little window knowing that Israel is one of the only places in the world where something like this could be made and respected. Everyone in the village was so happy and enjoyed living with their fellow Israelis. It was one of my happier experiences on this trip.
There were many positive experiences but I’d like to talk about one of the most memorable and eye opening experience of my trip. Every night I wrote in a journal about how I felt and what I experienced. I would like to read what I wrote after we visited the Western Wall.
“JITLI was a lot of things… at times it was easy but other times it was one of the most difficult thing I have ever done. Even through all the glares, questions, looks, and disapproving glances, I never doubted what we were doing. We were changing the world. Although it’s not a drastic change, it is a change nonetheless that will help make the world better. The Western Wall was where this reality tumbled upon me. The Arab girls who I had become friends with and connected with, were not allowed to enter because they were wearing hijabs. Although this was resolved, it changed how I looked at Israel and Jews. We walked to the Wall each holding each others’ hands for support. I never imagined that something so holy could be disrespected. As we approached the Wall we squeezed tighter and ignored the looks as we kept walking… together… hand in hand. This moment will forever be burned into my mind for as long as I live.This just made me think and reflect and I realized everywhere has its imperfections.
I’m sure everyone here can think of many things wrong with the United States, but does it mean we turn a blind eye to it and ignore it? We need to make change even though they will not come easily. We see how racism affects our country because we live here. But what we don’t see is that our Jewish homeland… the State of Israel, isn’t perfect. But nowhere in the world is perfect.” This day was a special experience for us all and although it wasn’t the most positive I am thankful that this happened because sometimes the most painful experiences open your eyes the most.
During this trip I felt the internal beauty of Israel like I have never seen before. The way we interacted and learned besides one another showed me, unlike the physical beauty, that people living there truly are beautiful.
Before I end I would like to share one more story with you. This story is unique because very few people have actually done it. Towards the end of the trip we all went to a restaurant where you have dinner in the dark. Being deathly afraid of the dark, I was terrified. We stepped into a dark room and couldn’t see anything. I started to freak out. But then I felt hands in my hands. My friend Tal had one hand and my friend Mas the other. As we were led to the table we held tightly to each other’s hands and squeezed. Now I will never know what this experience meant to them but I believe it has a much deeper meaning. An Israeli Jew, an Israeli Arab, and an American Jew all holding hands in the dark. Although this experience was a chance for us to experience something as simple as dinner through a blind person’s eyes it was very different. When we were in the dark we couldn’t see anything, not our friends, the people we liked, the people we disliked. We were all just people living on this planet. Because we couldn’t see each others race, color, gender, or religion we were free of judgment. We didn’t have any differences. People hide who they are and what they believe because they are afraid. I thought of this many times through this trip. People are afraid of what other people will assume and think. Although this dark room was scary I learned that I could overcome this fear when I have people who will truly protect me and love me despite what others might think.
Throughout this speech I told many stories and experiences. These were only a few of the many that I alone experienced and think about every day. You never realize how much a land and people can impact you until you are there with them. This land… The land of Israel gave me this experience. The fact that all this took place in Israel was breathtaking because it shows how astonishing Israel is. Because the Israeli government is so encouraging of this program and helpful we recognize how far Israel has come and will keep coming. Not only did this trip change me and my views, it gave me so much hope. The land that I feel so connected to and amazed by before could surprise me even more. Although this was a once in a lifetime experience I feel that it is now my job to talk and spread what I have learned. I would like to end with a quote by Paulo Coelho. “Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first they have to understand that their neighbour is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.” Thank you.
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Williams was a participant in a Jacobs International Teen Leadership Institute (JITLI) trip to Israel.
That was a remarkable talk and very-well thought out. You sound like a very intelligent, smart young lady. Good for you for getting so much out of this very special trip.