In The Days Before May

Did you read the news on Wednesday?  If so, than you'll know the reason behind what happened in Aida Camp Wednesday night.  Shouting, cheering, and a mass of shabab (young dudes) chanting, marching and weaving through the narrow streets of Aida.

That's right: Barcelona beat Real 2-0.

Ah, sorry, did you think it was about the epic unity deal made between Fatah and Hamas? Silly.

The reconciliation: its incredible to see it happen after months of unity demonstrations and sad, seemingly abandoned Unity Tents in downtown Bethlehem and Ramallah.  It's also incredible, and not remotely surprising to see that before one could even ask, "Hmm....I wonder what Israel thinks?" Netanyahu issued an ultimatum: Peace with Israel vs. Peace with Hamas.

Assuming this is another step towards a Palestinian state in September, questions arise as to what such a state would look like. (I suppose they don't ''arise'' persay, as many have been around since 1948 or so).  It would almost certainly be an end to the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees.  It would mean further border disputes--will Israel let Palestine control its own borders with neighboring Arab countries?  And what about those pesky 500,000 settlers? But okay, I'm saying nothing new or exciting now. We all know about these problems.  They've been brought up so many times they just seem to roll off the tongue...If you're looking for a nice, concise article about what this means (or what this maybecouldpossiblypotentially mean) here is a suggestion from +972.

Daily life: The past few weeks have been entirely exhausting and great.  A little while back I went with a friend to Jenin and
was invited to return and stay with a family we met there for their neice's wedding.  Two weekends ago I took them up on that invitation and spent two nights with Jamal, Hiba, Khaled, Raya, Aya, Ahmed, Yara, and their entire extended family.  Aside from the fact that my head almost exploded from Arabic overload, the weekend was fantastic. Jenin is so different from Bethlehem: the family was rather conservative and I saw no other foreigners while there (though that could also be because I spent the entire time in homes, not in the town).  I learned a lot about Arabic dancing (like the fact that I can't do it), got Henna-fied, and was heavily educated on Islam.  I also had time to discuss Juliano Mer Khamis with Jamal, the father of the family, which was very interesting.  Jamal was very upset by Juliano's death but was also very relieved I hadn't been to the Freedom Theater which he thought was a terrible place.  When asked why he felt that way he didn't elaborate much, saying just that the plays were inappropriate for Jenin.

Last weekend I went for two nights and three days to Jordan.  About 24 hours of that time was spent getting to or through border crossings.  But it was worth it to visit friends and bask in nostalgia for a simpler study abroad time filled with Jordanian babies and camel spiders.

Easter came and went in the little town of Bethlehem with holy fire driving through its streets.  After visiting the Nativity Church, I spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying our recently purchased Argileh.  (One of the co-owners will soon be screening a documentary that will definitely interest those of you who have or are considering volunteering abroad, and it can be watched online HERE.)

I've also moved to a different apartment.  The spacious guesthouse I was previously living in with only two other people became home to nine Frenchies overnight and I said...non.  I am approximately 65 seconds from my old place, still in Aida Camp, and now with a new and improved view of the wall.  I can show you said view by shamelessly taking a photo from my more photo-capable friend's blog (who happened to also live in this flat until his recent departure for Montana).

I've recently received The Yacoubian Building from the family back home, and the rooftop calls to me so that's all for now!

JSNAP Exodus Fun

Passover and Easter did a fantastic job of sneaking up out of nowhere this year.  I know there are a lot of Hagaddah supplements out there in this crazy world, but I've got the one you should use.  It comes from Jewish Solidarity with Native American People (JSNAP).  Having planned three Passovers with the leader of JSNAP, Elise Goldin, I can say without a doubt that her Hagaddah is going to be the way to go this holiday season.  Here's a bit of the group's background, as described on its Facebook page.

In recognition of the repeated injustices towards first nations people, we as Jews come together to stand in solidarity with first nations people to support native land rights. From forced removal to the continuous theft of sacred places, we recognize the history of US genocidal practices continued racism towards native peoples.

JSNAP was born out of a call from a friend and peacewalk partner of Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Chief Tom Dostou of Wabanaki People. Tom call on us to join the resistance against the construction of a 4 lane highway and housing complex in Turtle Island (also known as the South March Highlands). This highway would not only destroy a sacred site for the Algonquin People but also devastate a unique ecologically diverse forest.

William Commanda, an Algonquian elder and founder of Circle of Nations, writes:
“I together with many others again urge City Council to initiate an immediate and comprehensive archaeological survey of this site; I believe it is the underlying responsibility of the crown and governments and the National Capital Commission to safeguard this ecologically and archaeologically unique site of the South March Highlands as a potential national heritage site, one of significant Indigenous importance, and as an Algonquin in the unceded, unconquered and unsurrendered Ottawa River Watershed, I add my voice to the call for such action.”

As Jews of conscience, we also want to add our voices to such action and stand with the Algonquin people against the construction of the highway

 So here it is: the first ever JSNAP Hagaddah supplement.  As most of you know, my internet skills are limited, so I hope this link works.  If not, please let me know and I'll...get someone else to fix it for me.  Also, there is a much more beautiful and illustrated version of the Hagaddah that I would be more than happy to send to anyone who wants it.  But I don't know how to post a Microsoft Word document.  

Chag Sameach!

Nutshells

In a recent conversation with friends, I briefly mentioned that I was still trying to reconcile myself to the fact that I was "a blogger."  That I would sometimes mention "my blog" in day to day conversations.  That each experience was filed away as "blogworthy" or "unblogworthy."  It was then brought to my attention that if you only blog once a month...you're not really a blogger.  My 57 year old father then informed me I don't even use the terminology of the blogworld (oops...blogosphere?) correctly, as I've been saying "new blog" instead of "new post."  So I've been relabeled as either a lazy-blogger, an inept-blogger or, perhaps, just somebody who sometimes writes stuff on the Interweb. 

To refocus the tone of the blog, from the slightly ranty nature it took on in the past post, I've got some new personal information to update: I've wrapped up my English classes at Alrowwad Center (the pictures are of my last kindergarten class) and just finished my first week at a new internship at Defence for Children International. The office is in Ramallah, which means that Monday through Thursday I commute from Bethlehem through Wadi Nar.  Wadi Nar translates to Hell Valley, named for its rather thrilling twists and turns.  It's manageable though, as I've made an aces On The Go Playlist.  An hour goes by rather quickly when you're hanging out with Van Morrison, Toots and the Maytals, the Talking Heads, and the Spanish version of "You've Got A Friend In Me" from Toy Story 3.  DCI is really great so far.  I'll be working on some very exciting reports, learning a lot, and meeting truly impressive people.  My main project will be writing report on the recruitment of Palestinian children into the armed conflict. 

Last Saturday I ventured outside of Bethlehem with a friend on a day trip to Jenin, an incredibly beautiful city.  We arrived without a schedule but got a couple of kids from Jenin Camp to show us a great view of the city from a nearby hill, heard some stories about Jenin's role in the second Intifada, saw the Jenin Freedom Theater, and were invited over to a family's house for coffee (which turned into tea, bread, french fries, more tea, a bit more coffee, some sliced tomato and a glass of Sprite. The ride home was a bladder test for both of us).  This week, unfortunately, Jenin has taken a sharp turn.  Two days after our visit, the director of the Jenin Freedom Theater, Juliano Mer Khamis, a Palestinian-Israeli man (the son of the woman, Arna, who began the theater) was shot and killed.  It is still unclear who committed the crime.  Regardless, it was an incredible loss.  In his blog, Shalom Rav, Rabbi Brant Rosen has written some beautiful words about Juliano Mer Khamis, and has a link to a documentary about the theater and Arna.

More concerning developments are coming out of Gaza each day as Israeli airstrikes continue.  The nine strikes on Friday alone brought the count of those killed between just Thursday and Friday to 14.  Some of these are thought to be Hamas militants, while others have been confirmed as civilians: a mother and daughter, an elderly man, and two other unidentified men.  There have also been claims that the army is using white phosphorus again.

In the continuing investigation of the Itamar murders, the army has conducted its fourth major raid of the village of Awarta, outside of Nablus.  According to Ma'an, this last raid was conducted just after midnight, and lead to the arrests of over 100 women, some of whom were in their 60s.  Night time raids that lead to the detention of boys and men is shockingly common in the West Bank, and I've almost become used to hearing such stories.  But hearing of the detention of women is much more unusual.  When I've asked peole why they think this occurred, most believe the women will be interrogated about the actions of their husbands and sons. 

That is life here right now is an extremely tiny nutshell.  Yella, bye