36 | AUGUST 18 • 2022

I

recently went to Israel on a trip
organized by MSU Hillel called Fact
Finders where students of different
backgrounds and identities traveled to Israel
and the West Bank. The purpose was to
increase our knowledge of the country, the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and
different perspectives among
residents there.
I went with an open mind
to learn. I felt nervous and at
times uncomfortable, but I
embraced each experience. I
realized I was in a privileged
position to go to both the
West Bank and Israel, and I
tried to use the opportunity to gain a broad-
er overview of the situation. I came back
with much more knowledge and under-
standing of the conflict and how residents
see it. I’ve read a lot about the country and
the conflict, but there are things you learn
on the ground that you just cannot learn
from a textbook.
Each city and region was so different

from one another. From the Kibbutz villag-
es in the Golan Heights in the north to the
Holy City of Jerusalem to the skyscrapers in
Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean, I had never
experienced a country where each city was
so unique. You can read about the cities,
but until you experience them, you don’t
realize why Israel is so incredible but also so
complicated.
Visiting the Golan Heights and seeing the
bunkers and old tanks left from the conflict
with Syria was a reminder that tension is

still high at the borders. Experiencing the
holy sites in Jerusalem and seeing how the
same places mean so much to followers of
different religions is something you cannot
understand from a textbook. As a religious
person with connections to Jerusalem, I
understand why it means so much to so
many. Although religion can divide, it was
powerful to see how it grounds so many
people of different faiths.
The massive security presence through-
out East Jerusalem was something you can-

What I Learned
Being on the
Ground in
Israel

continued on page 38

Jack
Harrison
jewish@edu
writer

The MSU Fact Finders
mission group

for college students by college students

Aug. 18, 2022 / 21 Av 5782

Preschool Program

An exciting and enriching early childhood program

full of daily hands-on experiences. Our play-based

curriculum will develop your child’s creative,

cognitive, emotional, intellectual and spiritual

development. (Limited space available)

For children 20 months - 5 years old.

Monday - Friday • 9 AM - 12:30 PM

3 & 5 day options / full & half day

Family Fun Programs

*Must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or special friend.
Temple Tots: Storytime, arts & crafts, and dramatic play for toddlers.

For ages 17 - 36 months.

Challah to Hamentashen: A Jewish cooking class for parents,

grandparents, and their children. For children 18 months - 4 years old.

Baby Bunch & Beyond: An interactive sensory experience for babies.

For ages 6 - 16 months.

EARLY CHILDHOOD
CENTER

Registration open!
WWW.TEMPLE-ISRAEL.ORG/ECC

Scholarships are available upon request. For more information

or an application, contact Natalie in the Early Childhood

Center office at 248-661-5750.

Temple Israel’s

Extended Hours
Monday - Friday • 8 - 9 AM & 2:30 - 5:30 PM

TEMPLE ISRAEL
5725 WALNUT LAKE ROAD,
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48323
WWW.TEMPLE-ISRAEL.ORG