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I have arrived in Israel. For the first couple of days, I'm going to get over my jet lag (I woke up at 6am today, which, for any of you who know me, is just not right). I am staying with my great-uncle and aunt, Uzi and Sarah Davidson. Uzi is my grandfathers younger brother.
After I get over the 11-hour plane ride (which I didn't sleep on), I will be heading to Tivon to begin working with the Ein Bustan Arab-Jewish Waldorf Kindergarten and interview their founder, musician and peace activists Amir Shlomian.
First however, I'm having an intense craving for Falafel.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Prologue
Hello friends,
Tomorrow I will be leaving to begin my project in Israel. I will be spending the next six weeks experiencing the important work of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists who's goal is to find a common ground and build a dialogue between their two cultures. These groups and individuals will all be utilizing the common language of the two peoples: Music. While there, along with immersing myself in this work I will keep this informative blog, which I will update as often as possible. Additionally, my friend Andrew Duff has kindly donated his excellent film equipment for the duration of my project. The final result will be a documentary to share this experience with everyone who believes in it, and (more importantly) those who don't.
Before I leave, I want to share my thesis with you all. Many political scientists and scholars believe that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is destined to continue throughout my generation and possibly beyond. They think that, while there is a possibility for a peaceful solution some day, we will not accomplish it anytime soon and it won't look the way we currently envision it. I believe that these scholars, political scientists, college professors, and politicians are all wrong. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be solved. But it won't happen on the political level first. Unfortunately, the conflicting governments have forced themselves into a stalemate. Everything will begin and progress on the grass-roots level, between individuals who are committed to lead, and live, by example.
These groups I will be working with include the Ein Bustan Arab-Jewish Waldorf Kindergarten and the All Nations Cafe as two of my main stops. Every organization and activist I meet with is committed to building a peaceful, bi-partisan, and non-judgmental dialogue between these two neighboring peoples. My travels will take me from Tel Aviv on the coast, north to Tivon and Tzfat, southeast to Jerusalem, and who knows where else.
My hope is that when this project is finished, this documentary will help to inspire a bi-partisan and positive attitude towards this conflict. All of these organizations, doing such important and similar work might be able to network and support each other, and maybe even used as an example for conflicts around the world. The ultimate dream is that, someday, Israelis and Palestinians will serve as a standard in the world for other conflicting and even warring nations. I hope that some day, people will look at them and say "they made peace, so can we."
I'm also looking forward to the Shwarma. You just can't find the good stuff in the states.
Tomorrow I will be leaving to begin my project in Israel. I will be spending the next six weeks experiencing the important work of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists who's goal is to find a common ground and build a dialogue between their two cultures. These groups and individuals will all be utilizing the common language of the two peoples: Music. While there, along with immersing myself in this work I will keep this informative blog, which I will update as often as possible. Additionally, my friend Andrew Duff has kindly donated his excellent film equipment for the duration of my project. The final result will be a documentary to share this experience with everyone who believes in it, and (more importantly) those who don't.
Before I leave, I want to share my thesis with you all. Many political scientists and scholars believe that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is destined to continue throughout my generation and possibly beyond. They think that, while there is a possibility for a peaceful solution some day, we will not accomplish it anytime soon and it won't look the way we currently envision it. I believe that these scholars, political scientists, college professors, and politicians are all wrong. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be solved. But it won't happen on the political level first. Unfortunately, the conflicting governments have forced themselves into a stalemate. Everything will begin and progress on the grass-roots level, between individuals who are committed to lead, and live, by example.
These groups I will be working with include the Ein Bustan Arab-Jewish Waldorf Kindergarten and the All Nations Cafe as two of my main stops. Every organization and activist I meet with is committed to building a peaceful, bi-partisan, and non-judgmental dialogue between these two neighboring peoples. My travels will take me from Tel Aviv on the coast, north to Tivon and Tzfat, southeast to Jerusalem, and who knows where else.
My hope is that when this project is finished, this documentary will help to inspire a bi-partisan and positive attitude towards this conflict. All of these organizations, doing such important and similar work might be able to network and support each other, and maybe even used as an example for conflicts around the world. The ultimate dream is that, someday, Israelis and Palestinians will serve as a standard in the world for other conflicting and even warring nations. I hope that some day, people will look at them and say "they made peace, so can we."
I'm also looking forward to the Shwarma. You just can't find the good stuff in the states.
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