Monday~ Making it Personal, Buses, Views, and STARS

Our first full day of the seminar addressed "God, Jews, and History" and "The Educational Philosophy of the International School for Holocaust Studies". After that, we spent the afternoon on a six hour bus tour of Jerusalem. A couple of takeaways from yesterday detailed below:

Regarding educational philosophy, I was very relieved to hear many of the basic tenants of my own philosophy enumerated. Steffy had some incredible quotes from her discussion yesterday that I wanted to share specifically.

 "Holocaust wasn’t about 11 million. It was about 11 million worlds. All of those people had families and connections, potential." This is EXACTLY the message we try to pass forward when we attempt to emphasize the personal in Holocaust Literature. The ramifications were so much farther-reaching than just the people immediately impacted by the specific events.

She also told a story of an Auschwitz survivor who was faced with a moral decision in Auschwitz. Steffy made the statement that "Long before Ruth Brand went to Auschwitz, she knew who she was, what she stood for, what she believed, and who she wanted to be. Our students can learn that through Holocaust education. In the moment of temptation/weakness isn’t the moment to decide who you are. If you don’t know that before, there’s a good chance you’re going to make a decision you aren't comfortable with." JUST WOW. This is such a great point for teenagers and middle schoolers who are so often at the crossroads of making those decisions that will establish their moral codes. I absolutely LOVED that comment she made.

Our afternoon consisted of that bus tour with the most phenomenal views of Jerusalem. We drove all the way around the city and saw it from four vantage points all around. As we did this, Ephraim explained the history of the country including maps and neighborhood explanations. In a country (and city) with such a complex history, this was so very informative. He discussed the ancient times, the establishment of the country and borders by the UN, the War for Independence, through the 60's and up to more recent times. Our last stop was to Samuel's Tomb (maybe, which tends to be a common word here when visiting historic sites, haha!). We climbed to the top of the mosque and were able to have the most amazing 360 degree view of the city. There was a brisk wind blowing and it was truly picturesque and memorable.

Last night, I found myself alone (my roommate had some people to meet for dinner associated with her grant), so I decided to walk to a little restaurant in Mamila Mall, next to the Jaffa Gate. I ended up eating outside at a little Italian piazza-style cafe, twinkly lights overhead, red-checked tablecloth, Old City walls to my right, and a group Jewish dance taking place on the mall below. Just. Plain. Surreal. :) I loved it and my leisurely stroll back. As I stated in my instagram caption, "Jerusalem, you wear the night so well."