Hello, friends.
For those who have known me for some time, you know that I like to move abroad--start over in a brand new place, have new adventures, make new friends, and hopefully learn more so that I can make a difference.
So for those who do not know, that time has come again. On September 2nd, I am moving to Jerusalem, Israel for an academic year.
I left my position working with different religious groups helping Syrian refugees back in the spring in preparation for this move. I will be in Jerusalem (the more religious of Israel's two major cities, the more secular one being Tel Aviv) studying Jewish Text and Conflict Resolution as a Conflict Resolution Fellow at a beit midrash ("house of learning"--not quite a university, but a type of school). I will hopefully have the opportunity to intern with an interfaith organization in Israel outside of my studies, as well as interact with a number of friends living in Israel over the next few months. I have been spending much of the past three months traveling here and abroad, emptying my apartment in New York, and, most recently, learning Hebrew.
I have friends from many different faiths and cultures, and I am hopeful that this next year will bring a myriad of valuable experiences. I suspect I will partner with some of these colleagues on various interfaith projects throughout my time in Israel, and I hope to make it a very meaningful year. If anyone makes it over to Israel from September-May and is interested in learning more about the interfaith initiatives happening over there, please feel free to reach out.
My one note is that while it is clear that the main Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not solely based on religion, and so my role in trying to build peaceful initiatives there may be limited, I am hopeful that I will contribute what I can--and learn even more. Please wish me luck/pray for me/send some good karma my way, as my moving date--and new adventure--rapidly approaches.
Now go out and love one another.
<3,
Allyson
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3 comments:
kol kavod and mazel tov to you! eager to hear about your experiences as you learn more in conflict resolution.
I hope you will continue to write, I have been following your adventures for a while, shared them with my Rabbi, family and friends. I love your heart and passion ...
While in Israel I would encourage you to visit with Rabbi Tamar Elad Appelbaum at Zion Jerusalem. dev.zion-jerusalem.org.il/english/
Sending you with love
Hello, Meredith! Thank you so much! I am sure it will prove to be a very interesting year.
Thank you, Rachel! My hope has always been that the blog gets people talking and thinking about these challenges, and I am so glad that you have shared them. I just looked at the group you suggested--it sounds like a very intriguing community, and would you believe I think just a few minutes walk from my apartment in Jerusalem! Thank you so much for the suggestion.
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