Israel/Palestine Writings

The first time I went to Israel/Palestine in early January 2004, I went "birthlefting;" inspired by Rachel Corrie, a fellow activist at Evergreen, who was killed by a Caterpillar armored bulldozer in Gaza, I decided to make my own personal relationship with the conflict, and see Palestine for myself, to cut through all the conflicting narratives I had been exposed to growing up. As an American Jew, I took advantage of an all-expenses paid ten-day trip to the Land of the Prophets (with an organization called Birthright), and planned to spend the balance of my time in Palestine.

Following these journals, you'll notice political change, religious inspiration, and internal conflict and confusion. And a consistent push to find my own path.

WINTER 2004

Update1- Arrival in Israel, Part 1  January 18, 2004

Update2- Arrival in Israel, Part 2  January 20, 2004

Update3- Arrival in Israel, Part 3  January 26, 2004

Update4- Israel After Birthright; Waiting for a Training  January 31, 2004

Update5- Arrival in Palestine  February 4, 2004

Update6- Feelin' It Out  February 16, 2004

Update7- Cynical as the Times  March 3, 2004

Update8- Shwayye  March 18, 2004

Update9- Beaten Up in Deir Qaddis  March 19, 2004

One Year Later  March 2005

WINTER 2007

My second trip to Israel was originally planned for August 2006. Because there were katyushas being shot at Israel from Lebanon at the time, my mother and I worked out a deal so that I wouldn't go until six months later. It turned out to be a great thing, because I got to travel with my mother for three weeks of the two-month trip.

Update1- Baruch Haba  February 6

Update2- Stepping  February 13

Update3- Three For Free  February 18

Update4- Tradition & Traición of the Ivri  February 25

Update5- I Bleed For Palestine  March 5

Update6- Dvarim Tfutzim  March 28

Update7- What's Left  April 1

Update8- Behar Dvar  May 14 (a dvar torah I gave in Olympia)

2008 WINTER AND SPRING

Here's what I'm up to now!

Pre-Trip Update! Featuring the Encounter Program  February 22, 2008

Update 1- Dis: Comfort  March 19, 2008

Update 2- Short and Overdue  March 30, 2008

Update 3- Bethlehem et al  April 8, 2008

Update 4- Tulkarem and back  April 11, 2008

Update 5- Egypt, Uganda  April 26, 2008

Update 6- The H in Apartheid  April 30, 2008

2009 WINTER

I/P One: Sov Shavua Sov  January 1, 2009

I/P Two: Gaza, Still  January 14, 2009

I/P Three: Area C (rhymes with olive tree)  February 5, 2009

2010 WINTER

A: Always a Place  January 30, 2010

B: By a Force  February 6, 2010

C: Cutting Lines  February 17, 2010

D: De-touring Hebron  February 25, 2010

E: Entertaining Feelings  March 9, 2010

F: Final Tea  March 22, 2010

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