Yesterday we walked as a group of individuals from Yad VaShem- the holocaust museum- up to Har Hertzel, the resting place for many of those who made it possible to have the Jewish state of Israel today. After a quick break we each in our own time made our way up to stand by the grave of Theodor Hertzel. We were able to walk from a time where Jews were persecuted and lost, to the place where those who made a homeland a reality lay to rest.
Hertzel had a dream that one day there would be a Jewish state and for the last 10 days we had the honor of experiencing that dream. It was fun, it was beautiful, it was intellectual, it was Israel. Israel as a nation has had an amazing 70 years and I wish the next 70 years will be filled with more growth, innovation and most of all peace. We looked into many themes on our trip but one that really stuck out to me was the strive for peace.
Over the last 10 days, we have met with many speakers and people who gave me so much hope that the dream is possible. They gave me hope that in 70 years Israel will be a country of co-existence and peace. We talked about other narratives, not just the Jewish narrative we knew. We learned about the perspective of other religions and the true meaning of the land to not just us, but to other people as well. Peace is my hope for Israel’s next 70 years and this trip helped me see ways to get to this goal that I didn’t see before I left. I now feel as if I have the tools to understand Israel in ways that I never could in a classroom in Ohio. We may see on the news facts about the security wall and formulate an opinion, but that is nothing like driving next to it. We may hear about the debate of holy sites on the news but that’s nothing like seeing how these sites affect people. Seeing the way a person can connect to their religion through this land is like nothing else. Going to Israel does not only help you connect to your own religion, but allows you see a space that is special to people from all different walks of life. It allows you to have a common feeling with people you would never otherwise talk to.
Hertzel said אם תרצו אין זהו אגדה, “If you will it, it is no dream”. If we work for peace, if we work to create the place we want to see, it is no fairy tale. It is no dream. It can be a reality. Theodore Hertzel’s dream lead to a Jewish Homeland that exceeds any standards and expectations. Sitting next to the grave of the man with this sort of dream I can’t help but think that my dreams can be a reality as well. Israel will continue to believe, work, thrive, and flourish, and so can we.