Sunday, June 3, 2012

House Keys



 This trip to the Middle East has left me questioning many things that once looked familiar to me in my daily routine.  Any given day in America, a family member would forget or lose various objects, such as house keys without much concern.  Where we are from that is something that can be replaced and really doesn't hold much value.  Palestine has had the ability to take something as simple as a house key and symbolize the struggle, passion, and hope of the people it inhabits.   First of all, I'd like to state that I have never met such welcoming and beautiful people in my entire life.  Whether it was walking aimlessly into a shop or organizing a dinner, the Palestinian people welcomed us with open arms and solidarity.  Yesterday on our shopping trip, we met a man who has owned a carpentry shop for the past several decades.  He told us that his grandfather and great grandfather owned the shop before his father and him, resulting in great pride in the work he does every day.  The markets in Palestine are similar in pace to that of Canal Street.  You have millions of people trying to sell you quite similar things with a fast explanation as to why you should.  However, this man was invested in enriching our minds and hearts on the background and tradition that is Palestine.  He welcomed us into his shop and offered us juice, which he told us was free of charge.  Then, took us into the back of his shop to show us exactly how all the beautiful figurines were made using all the tools his workers use on a regular basis.  Afterwards, he told us that he would let us in on a beautiful secret if we were to be careful.  We walked up very steep stairs onto the roof and were awestricken the moment the last foot touched the uneven cobblestone.  We had a view of all of Bethlehem, which was too beautiful to even record.  This man had opened his heart to us and really showed us what a true Palestinian was: caring, genuine, hopeful, and proud.  Throughout all the anguish of the occupation, this man stuck by the tradition of his family and continued passing the keys to the shop down through generations.   One of the seminars we had attended later on had informed us about the importance of the keys to Palestinian people.  On our way into the occupied territory, we had passed a large statue of a golden key.    This symbol represents the hope that is instilled in all the people here.  When the thousands of families were kicked out of their homes they were told that it would only be a few days until they were able to return.  With decades passing and the political issues remaining unsolved, Palestinians, as most know, are still facing a conflict with Israel.  It was told to us, that the original house keys of these oppressed people have been passed down to each generation in hopes of returning one day to their land.  The same keys that we lose carelessly are seen as a representation of much more to the Palestinians.  In fact, even after tens of years, the newer generations still know exactly where their family's original houses are located.  After learning about these people, the keys do not only represent a taken home to me.     The holding onto these keys directly reflect the people we have been lucky enough to be surrounded by on this trip.  The hopefulness of these people is one which to be honored and respected throughout the world.  I am so lucky to have been chosen for this trip in order to have the opportunity to learn about this rich and beautiful culture.  It is my only hope to continue educating myself and eventually others on the people in the occupied territories and help spread the faith and love that the Palestinians have shown us.  I also have hope for peace and a safe return home for these magnificent people.


-Giuliana Addesso





GROUP NICKNAMES!!!



Christina:            ONE-WAY TICKET TO PALESTINE
Mike:                   FIRST TRIP INTO SPACE
Colleen:               HEALS LIKE THE DEAD SEA
Mary:                  WHAT COUNTRY WILL SHE CONQUER NEXT?
Casey:                 FALLING FOR PALESTINE
Katie:                  WOMAN OF MANY HATS
Giuls:                  DON’T CRY FOR ME PALESTINE
Ana:                    DESERT TRAIL BLAZER
Maxiel:                FROM THE #(1) TRAIN TO THE CAMEL
Rachel:                PALESTINIAN PAPARAZZI
Laura:                  HOOKAH GIRL
Dr. Nicholson:     HUMUS QUEEN
Dr. Merriman:     COOL DAD


Brother Ray:       THE BAPTIZER {JORDAN RIVER}

Reflection – by BROTHER RAY


GREETINGS FROM PALESTINE!  We are visiting a land extremely rich in history that is 5,713 miles from New York. Palestine has been a meeting point for diverse cultures since prehistoric times. It is a most sacred place to the three major religions around the world {Christianity, Islam, and Judaism}. Palestine lies between the Mediterranean Coast and the Jordan River, at the crossroads between Africa and the Middle East.

     Our trip to the Holy Land has been a spectacular experience. The Mu Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society for Educators, felt it was important to engage members in interesting and exciting trips around the world. The purpose of these trips is to help students understand that they are ‘ global citizens’ and that they should be aware of and informed about the issues and situations that are taking place on our planet. We are hoping that they become more personally invested with the enormous problems in the areas of education, politics, and the global economy. Understanding how these issues affect all of us should motivate them, as future teachers, to do something – to take some form of action.

     BE NOT AFRAID! What has impressed me most about our students, who volunteered to come to Palestine, is that they are unafraid to try new things, to explore the world, and to have the courage to face unexpected situations and problems. Setting up the trip to the Holy Land was not an easy task. We faced many major obstacles and challenges: the expense of the trip; fears about coming to a country in the Middle East that could be affected by the “Israel – Iran” problem; and fears of personal safely. Due to the cooperation, collaboration, sensitivity to each other, and multiple, multiple meetings, this trip became a reality. The students raised over $18,000 through some of the most creative and innovative fund-raising activities possible. Would you sell grilled cheese sandwiches from 11:00pm until 3:00am in the dorms? I celebrate then for stepping out of their comfort zone and entering their courage zone.

    Our students came here with open minds and a positive attitude. They came to meet the Palestinian people, listen to their stories, and learn from them – to see deeply, see differently, and see together. One student stated to me “ I didn’t realize how much I don’t know about the world. I am learning a lot and will bring back the messages to share with others. I hope I can make things better.”

   Let me tell you about the Palestinian people. Before you judge someone - get to know their story from their point of view. It will definitely change you. The media in the United States paints a biased picture that all Palestinians should be feared because they are dangerous. Not true! We have found them to be warm, compassionate, and hospitable.  Once you meet with them and listen to their stories you change the way you view them and their lives. The best way to describe the Palestinian people is by the way of the Cactus plant, the symbol of patience. There are many similarities between the stories of the Palestinian people and the qualities of the cactus plant. The cactus can live and survive without water and will endure the heat and the wind, like the strength of the Palestinians in spite of pain. They stand firm, survive, and continue to live through all the injustices, hardships and difficulties they need to overcome.

    Let me tell you about the Manhattan College people. Each of us WILL NOT BE COMING BACK AS THE SAME PERSONS WE WERE before this amazing trip. We have changed in many ways. You will see! This little story is the best way to describe our evolution:

   Before this journey we were like pebbles in a stream - with ripples moving us here and there. During this incredible experience we said to ourselves, “NO, We are no longer pebbles. We are now the stream! Being a stream, we can influence the ripples. Everyone should feel like a stream. We know who we are and we know that we can create change. We are no longer hopeless pebbles that are pushed and pulled around by the ripples. We will now make a difference!” 

TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS!!!


#5. Lunch with a Bedouin Family in the desert.

#4. Re-baptizing the group at the Jordan River.

#3. Meeting the pen- pal students from Bethlehem University.

#2. Meeting the Palestinian people and listening to their stories

#1. Spending quality time, building community, with an incredible group of inspiring and energizing people.