Leaving Israel with sadness and hope

A blog post by Adam.  Today we left Israel. It was an amazing month. We saw so much and learned so much more. I leave with much sadness for Israel as it struggles to be the just Jewish homeland I yearn for. I also leave with much love for the people we met along the way.

Jewish Israelis, Bedouin Israelis, and Palestinians were all so incredible to us. So many people invited us into their homes, communities, and campsites. So many people fed us. So many people from various political persuasions talked to us and listened to us. 

The names are endless...Sheila on Yom Ha'atsmaut. Moran, Shachar, and Yam at the Dead Sea. Anat at Ein Bokek. Mina and Trevor in the Galilee. Rafi and Gabriel along the Sea to Sea hike. Zoughbi, Linda, and Nasser in Bethlehem. Rabbi Arik and the Bedouin residents of al-Arakib. Norm and Faggie in Jerusalem. Micha and the Ethiopians we visited with him. Roni and Ovadia on the Gaza border. Irit, Tzvika, and Shelley in Tel Aviv. 

Some of these people we knew before. Others we met along the way. All of them were so kind and warm to us. And though we weren't fighting with each over land, or equal rights, or religious practices, I have hope that if people who don't really know us can be so kind, then there must be a way for them to be kind to one another. I don't know how this will happen, but I know that despite all my sadness I also have hope for a better future.