This morning we visited the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. A guide showed us around and spoke to us about the history leading up to, during and after the holocaust. One of the emphases the guide made to us was around the personal stories and identities of the six million people who were killed in the holocaust.
The visit gave us a lot to think about and reflect upon. For example, to hear from Robson, Action Partner from Zimbabwe:
Seeing the visuals and hearing some of the survivors talk about what was happening to them during that time made me reconcile the little that I knew about the holocaust with the actual reality of it. Going in I was like, ‘okay this is just a museum, probably will see a bunch of artefacts’, but I was not really prepared for what I saw and heard in there. In one word I was overwhelmed. At times as the guide was taking us through the different events and periods that eventually lead to holocaust it all felt very clinical like a script that has been memorised over and over but I also felt the pain and injustices that the Jews felt especially when wondered off on my own. Another thing that became more and more evident to me was how even in our darkest hours; during the most trying of trials we could still find beauty and peace if only we could embrace it. There were some touching stories of people who stepped up to help these victims even against insurmountable odds but they did it with no thought of themselves or their well being, they didn’t even do some extravagant action hero save the world stuff but small and simple things done by ordinary people like a no account thief who chose to hide 12 people in the sewers when turning them in would have earned him food and to me that shows that each and everyone of us can contribute to make this world better even if its only by smiling at people, we only have to embrace the goodness in us, appreciate the beauty of God’s creations.
After the museum we had lunch in a park with Gavriel, who shared with us his personal stories and about Judaism. We were surprised to learn that Gavriel, who is an Orthodox Jew, grew up as a Jewish Buddhist in a hippie commune in the US, and also believes in Jesus! That certainly prompted lots of questions which Gavriel was happy to discuss. We have also been privileged to be invited by Gavriel to attend and witness the Sukkot festival late tonight. Sokkut is a Jewish celebration that is a feast of tabernacles. Gavriel explained to us about some of the different practices of Orthodox Jews and some of what we can expect tonight. We’re having some rest time now to prepare – as we’ll be starting at 10pm!
Keep a look out for our update tomorrow on what we experience.
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Appreciate if some light can be shed as to if there is any notable references or approaches when the 2 communities (i.e. Palestinians and Israelis) talk about their history. Bacause generally history is also subject to preconceived notions where each community may have a certain scope when it comes to relating to 'history' such as some taboo areas or over-hyped areas.
ReplyDeletehey hisham,
ReplyDeletewe have spoken to a zillion people and heard a zillion different stories and opinions in the past few days..its hard to stray away from preconceived notions cuz generalizations here are really commonplace. People also tend to follow stereotypes with a lot of zeal and passion.. Conflict is very central to the lives these people here lead as well as everything they talk about..many times we want to go beyond it but thats all they understanbably want to talk about.
One thing though that a lot of us noticed was that a lot of people both on the isreali and palestinian sides had to say that the conflict was not really about religion as there was so much intersection of thier faith and beliefs all through history. On the other hand some palestinians or muslim people feel that there is not even one stone to prove that the jews were here before them.. the jewish people are more evasive about this issue..
Each side has a way of justifying the mutual hostility.. the jewish people do it by bringing in settlers and the muslims do it in other ways...the muslims are generally more vocal about it..
anyway all we hope as a group is that there is a just and peaceful solution but talking to people has somehow not gotten us any closer to figuring out any solution for lasting peace or stability in the region.
hope that answers your question let me know if you meant something else
cheers
sudha
ps- these people though are really resilient and find so many reasons to smile on a daily basis..its really amazing to see that..there is so much hope even in all this despair here..
Thanks Sudha. Interesting observations again.
ReplyDeleteJust saw the picture of the segregation wall in bethleham in the flickr stream and I think that itself has become a very gigantic and divisive icon of sperating these two communities if not for working towards allowing the communities to interact and try to live together.
Rgds - Hisham