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