I

n May, we had the great 
pleasure of going to 
Israel and the Palestinian 
Territories with a group of 
students from Wayne State 
University on Hillel of Metro 
Detroit’s Fact Finders Trip. It 
was nothing short of amazing. 
Going in, one of us was nervous, 
and the other did not have many 
expectations.
Why was one of us nervous? 
Growing up Jewish, and having 
learned one perspective of the 
conflict, I never knew there 
could be another perspective 
until I made it to college. There, 
I had the opportunity to befriend 
Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians. 
We had beautiful conversations, 
but I also experienced a lot of 
backlash. I met people who 
wanted to assume an opinion of 
me before getting to know me. It 
was a really difficult pill to swal-
low and dulled my excitement 
for the trip.
Within a day, any fears and 
concerns faded. From start to 
finish, our schedule was packed 
with educational programs and 
activities that took us from Tel 
Aviv and Jerusalem to Rawabi 
and Bethlehem, along with 
some home hospitality in our 
Partnership region. 
We met with Arab Muslims, 
Arab Christians, Arab Israelis, 
Jewish Israelis, religious Jews, 
secular Jews, journalists, schol-
ars and activists. These titles 
are not mutually exclusive, 
and that is the beauty of Israel. 
Hearing from an Israeli Arab 

journalist, who was born to a 
Palestinian mother and spent his 
life in Israel, he explained how 
the media warps the truth and 
divides people. 
Developing relationships and 
connecting during this 10-day 
excursion was amazing and 
something we will always cher-
ish. Having the ability to make 
connections and discuss difficult 
topics with people who were 
random to us just a few days 
prior was surreal. 
Everyone was able to have a 
mature conversation about this 
very complex and sensitive issue. 
Throughout the trip, despite 
having some pro-Israel, some 
pro-Palestine and some pro-both 
sides, we never found there to be 
tension or conflict amongst the 
group. 
Overall, this was a great trip 
that included a plethora of valu-
able experiences that were edu-
cational, fun and allowed us to 
meet new people whom we had 
been going to school with for 
three years. Those who took part 
on this trip came out of it for the 
better and were able to appreci-
ate the educational aspects and 
open themselves up to learning 
more about the conflict.
At the beginning of the trip, 
we were told that the goal was to 
leave with more questions than 
when we came. Safe to say, that 
was the case. 

Tania Miller and Benji Rosenberg, both 

of Detroit, will be seniors at Wayne State 

University this fall.

for college students 
by college students

Tania Miller and Benji Rosenberg } jewish@edu writers

Wayne State 
Students
Head to Israel

10-day trip shows how unity
and inclusion is possible.

40 | AUGUST 18 • 2022 

Ann Arbor Academy 

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Innovative, Inclusive, Independent
www.annarboracademy.org | 734-747-6641

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WHATEVER IS
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