Right now, when I see the word Israel it feels like a dirty word to me.
Something has gone terribly wrong.
I love the Jewish people. I love our rich history in text and debate. I love our rituals and blessings, our connection to the earth and the moon and her cycles.
But something has gone terribly wrong and now, there is a great misalignment. This is why I have come here. This is why I have returned to this place, this land. To feel these tears, this heartbreak.
Because part of the reality of the Jewish people is young people with heads covered in what reminds me of Ku Klux Klan hoodies using violence and beating other human beings trying to live, harvest their crop and survive. (see link below) I have to claim these young ones as my people if our people are going to heal as Am Echad. If I don't claim them as my people, if I ignore what they are doing, if I don't stand up and say this is wrong, then Israel will just continue to be a dirty word to me. We all need to take responsibility for each other.
I am going on a trip with Encounter to Bethlehem this coming Thursday. Part of the goal of the trip is to listen to Palestinian narratives. Part of the goal of the trip is to listen to other Jews coming from different perspectives and backgrounds. I look forward to sharing my thoughts/feelings perspectives after the trip.
conflict between settlers and Palestinians during olive harvest
(note: this is not edited, these are just thoughts, me sharing my unedited unfiltered thoughts as I go through this experience. In the service of truth, my truth, in this moment, however scary, I share them)
