Proof of a Good Day:

Tired feet resting in a homebound taxi.

There are days when spontaneity, intuition and a little bit of adventure combine to create beautiful memories and lasting friendships. Today was one of those days and Ranin is one of those friendships. I only met Ranin a few weeks ago in Ein Kerem, but the circumstances of our meeting both then and today has provided each of us the magnificent blessing to gain from each other's wisdom, personality and warmth.

Not knowing how the day was going to play out, six of us headed for the train station and went west to Tel Aviv. We spent the day swimming in the Med., walking up and down Allenby Street and most meaningful to me, connecting with Ranin.

Having grown up attending school as the only Arab among Israeli Jews, she experienced persecution much in the same way blacks experienced racism in the United States half a decade ago. With no bitter feelings however, she serves as an amazing example to me of strength, beauty and youthful energy.

It amazes me the connection people can share sometimes after only a few minutes of meeting them. THIS feeling. This is the feeling of humanity, of friendship and the spirit of people to uplift one another.

Remembering the Holocaust

About 2 months ago we took a trip to Yad Vashem which is Israel's memorial museum to the Holocaust. I'm sure I don't have to tell most readers of this what a sad story the Holocaust is.

Our first week here, we went on a geography field trip, basically getting various views of Israel from all sides of Jerusalem. That was my first introduction to the walls built in the last 10 years by the Israel government to separate the Palestinian territories from the rest of Israel. A few weeks ago, we toured the walls up close. After talking with my classmates after, I realized I wasn't the only student who had striking images of ghetto walls from the Holocaust pop into my mind when I saw these walls up close.

I've been very hesitant to share this idea, but recently found that my observation is also shared with a Princeton scholar/UN Human Rights Council member named Richard Falk who is making headlines.

This is a very short but interesting situation.

**By the way it was purely coincidence how closely these pictures resemble each other. The first one was the first image under googled "holocuast ghetto walls."

The Middle East is Not a Desert

From the moment I arrived in Tel Aviv 3 months ago my preexisting conceptions of a dry and brown desert as the geography of my existence here have been proven wrong time and time again. Nothing negated these stereotypical images more than the 10 days I spent in Galilee.

I have been blessed to be here during the best climate which has definitely helped put a little more "spring" in my step. Quite literally, spring has sprung as I seem to be discovering new species of flora everyday.

The natural beauty of Galilee provided a perfect backdrop for prayer and meditation, and of course a lot of fun and learning.

For a deeper look into Galilee, here are some pictures!