Current Politics

Last week I went to visit Yad Vashem the Israeli Holocaust Museum. I had been shocked to learn of the differing opinions and politics that surround the Jewish perspective of the Holocaust. Today I was even more astounded to learn that just yesterday it was vandalized by what was likely radical Orthodox Jews (although this hasn't been confirmed). I've been learning about how many different branches of people even within the same religion/ethnicity but its something completely different to see it happen here where I live. I will try to be sensitive to politics in my blog here so if your interested in the situation I would look up more about it online. If I've learned anything about modern politics from being here in Israel its that even as  complex and confusing as the American news reports can be, they are way simplified and the whole issue is much more complicated than they can or choose to portray. There are so many layers of opinions here, it is simply not enough to categorize the issues between Palestinians and Israelis or even moderate vs radical Palestinians or Orthodox vs Secular Jews. It all sums up to a quote I once heard...

                    "If your not confused than you don't really know whats going on."

                                        

This was last week when we went to visit the Holocaust Museum

This Graffiti was found yesterday morning.

Loosely translated it says:

"If Hitler hadn't existed, the Zionists would have invented him."

"Hitler, thank you for the great Holocaust. Only because of it did we receive a state from the UN"

"Persecuting Jews! You declared war on Hitler in the name of the Jewish people. You brought about the Shoah!"

"The Zionists wanted the Holocaust!"

These are difficult things to read. I have never been exposed to opinions such as these before. Suddenly learning about the origins of the different Zionist and Jewish branches has hit me closer to home. 

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The land of the Bible

We got to herd sheep, grind Hyssop, eat figs, plow the ground, draw water from a well, make pita's from scratch and all kinds of fun things today. You could say that we got to touch, taste and smell the Bible today, what a way to bring it alive.

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Something beautiful

Of all the wonders I've seen today, this little picture is high in the running for most beautiful.

;)

                              To be fully described at a more reasonable hour of the day.

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The Garden of Gethsemane

I went to the Garden of Gethsemane today for the very first time. Its a beautiful little place, I was surprised at how small it was, its just a fenced off grove of Olive trees that is really well taken care of. I really like it there. The Church of All Nations is right next door that commemorates the acts of Christ in the garden. A group of us went in and sang hymns in the church, I really loved that. The priest there seemed to really appreciate it, I thought that was really neat. I feel closer to my fellow Christians when I go to places like that beautiful church. I am grateful for all the religions and good people that fill the world.

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Its the weekend!

       Yay for Fridays! Except when you have to work on midterm papers. Well at least its interesting and I am continually finding out that I've learned more than I'm aware of sometimes. That's always a fun experience. 

       The very best part of today was the long and fulfilling Skype date with my man Dustin Murdock :D Life is always so much more enjoyable after having a precious conversation with him. He inspires me to do my very best in my classes and gives me the joy and motivation I need to make the very best use of every valuable experience here. 

Thank you for your meaningful support sweetheart. 

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A Good Old American Birthday Party

It was Brother Ludlow's son's birthday today and they held a casual party for him with the students. It was somehow quite refreshing to have some regular cake and birthday party, felt a little like home. Accept for the fireworks as candles part, that's not a typical tradition for my family and I just can't figure out why! ;) I think I'll implement the fireworks and cake excitement into all future birthday parties that I have any say in (assuming my Dustin likes the idea as much as I do). It makes for a well deserved and harder earned birthday wish that's for sure. 

I love the people here, its beginning to feel like a family. 

Joe blowing out the 'candles' on his cake

Brother Ludlow and his two adorable daughters

The epic sword fight!

79!!! we're in the seventies now:D

I got an A :)

All this studying and work and I got the A I'd hoped for. And guess what, I have another exam tomorrow. The classes here are going to be the death of me, hey but at least I'll be smarter ;) Unfortunately I must retire with another short and barely satisfactory blog post. They'll get better soon I promise, I'm going snorkeling this weekend in the Red Sea so you can know for sure that there will soon be a day when I have something exciting to report.

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