An Amazing Experience

     My journey to Israel and Palestine was an experience that I would

never have imagined going on. When the trip was first announced I

immediately said “yes”. I couldn’t explain why my response was so

immediate. However, looking back to my time in Palestine, I wouldn’t

change a thing. This trip took me not only literally out of the

country but it took me out of my comfort zone. Now that I find myself

telling people about my trip, I see how much I have learned. I learned

about the culture, the people and even got the opportunity to learn a

few Arabic words that I use since I got back.

Before embarking on this trip, I wasn’t completely aware of the

political conflict. While there I learned so much about the situation and

the different events throughout history that have shaped what

Palestine is today. At first the stories were overwhelming. I

couldn’t understand why there is so much hatred and so much conflict.

While going to the schools and meeting the different people and

Children, I was amazed at how peaceful and hopeful these people are

despite the political conflict. I admire the hope that they have for

their future. This really put things into perspective for me about how

many times I find myself complaining about small things when in

reality these people have much greater problems than I do.

    The highlight of my trip was definitely meeting the children in Palestine.

 Like people say, children are always the most innocent in any situation. 

These children were so happy and playful. The children that we met in the 

SOS Children’s Village were very welcoming despite the language barrier. 

Being in that classroom with Michael showed me how difficult it is to 

communicate with a student that may speak a different language as their 

primary language. While we were there I knew one thing that was universal-

 a smile and that was the way we communicated.

     The culture and people that we met in the streets were all so

welcoming and eager to help. Meeting with my pen pal was definitely a

great experience. It was a great idea to be set up with someone prior

to our trip so that way we could talk before going to Palestine. While

at lunch with my pen pal, I learned so much and got to meet other

Bethlehem University students. Now I can say that I have many friends

in Bethlehem. The trips to the different refugee camps were very

emotional and overwhelming. It is one thing to read about than to go

personally and hear these peoples’ testimonies. At times, I found myself

being upset because I felt that the situation that they are in isn’t

fair and shouldn’t be going on. I would tell my peers that I wish I

could just bring everyone with me back home. But after reflecting and

looking at the situation, I saw how these people were happy and always

found the positive. I wish I could apply that to my everyday life.

    When I came back from my trip I took on a permanent substitute

position with fourth graders. One day I decided to do a lesson on

travelling the world and challenged them to think of places that they

wish they could visit. I told them about my experiences and taught

them different Arabic phrases such as “thank you” “you’re welcome” and

“how are you”. The students were all very interested and wanted to

learn more. I showed them different pictures of the different sites we

visited. My objective was to teach them that they could go to any

place in the world and learn about different cultures. I wanted

to tell them how children, even across the Atlantic Ocean, are the same

as they are. My journey to Israel and Palestine was a once in a

lifetime experience that I will always cherish and that has opened my

mind to thinking outside of my own comfort zone. I will continue to

share my story with everyone I meet.

-Maxiel P.

REFLECTION: June 24, 2012

"DARE TO REACH OUT YOUR HAND INTO THE DARKNESS...

                                                                   ...

TO PULL ANOTHER HAND INTO THE LIGHT."

                                           Norman B. Rice

       Today we celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist.  At Mass this morning, I was thinking of all of you and how excited we were a few weeks ago at our "re-baptismal experience" in the Jordan River - the same place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ.  I believe this was not just a "special" moment, but that God had a very important message for each of us.

       The Message: each of us was born into this world with a "spark"

of goodness within us.  We may have lost sight of this wonderful gift, but our experience in the Jordan River is a reminder that we need to find that "spark" - "fan it into flame" - and continue to "nurture" it every day.  We need to be beacons of hope for others.  We need to make our world a better place.  We can all do better. I know I can. We need to  "DARE TO REACH OUT OUR HAND INTO THE DARKNESS ...... TO PULL ANOTHER HAND INTO THE LIGHT."

      We have returned from a country that is caught in the middle of a sad reality of injustice, violence, intolerance, and fear.  Why so much conflict and tension in the birthplace of Jesus - a land that should be a place of faith, peace, and hope?  Why does God permit all this "stuff" to happen?  Why doesn't He do something about it?  God would tell us "I certainly did do something.  I MADE YOU!"  Our Creator has given us everything we need to make a difference. He is with us all the time - we are always in His presence.  He gives us the courage and strength to help us make things happen.  We are actually doing His Work!

     For example, I'm sure we are accepting of the fact that we will not be able to DIRECTLY help the Palestinian people to achieve justice and peace, but our journey certainly has opened our eyes, hearts, and brains as to what they are experiencing.  We are hoping that this "global adventure" has impacted your life, will impact the lives of your future students, and the schools where you will be teaching.  Your horizons have been broadened and this should promote within you a sense of global awareness and global thinking - skills needed in this 21st century.

     BUT what can we do to INDIRECTLY help the Palestinian people? What can we do in our "sphere of influence" to make a positive impact?  How can we – as students and teachers - contribute to a better and more peaceful world?

     First, we should be INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE through daily acts of kindness and gestures of care toward peers, friends, students, family members, and colleagues.  It is easy for us now to care about the people we met in Palestine but probably harder to care about some of the people we walk next to every day here at home. We should SAY something or DO something that will, make a difference to someone who is hurting or discouraged or left out or lonely.  Share the love, the joy, and peace in your own life.  Be Reflectors of the LIGHT!  LET US DARE TO REACH OUT OUR HANDS INTO THE DARKNESS ...... TO PULL ANOTHER HAND INTO THE

LIGHT.

     Second, have stimulating conversations with friends, family members, teachers, and students about WORLD PEACE.  Shake things up!  Embrace every opportunity! Share your experiences - your new way of looking at the world!  This will also give you a unique opportunity to further your understanding of the global issues you learned about from your journey.

      Has this journey been a "live-changing" experience for you?

When one talks about life-changing experiences, some just put new wrapping paper on their outside.  There is no internal change - it's the same person with a new covering. Others superficially change some of the contents and add new wrapping paper - leaving the internal contents unchanged.  It's the same person.  We have faith that each of YOU are opening up your minds and hearts to take a good look at your life - doing some major redesigning that you find consistent with "who" you are NOW after this extraordinary experience - that you are developing a new way of seeing yourselves, a more caring way of doing things, and a different way of viewing our world.

                         LET US CELEBRATE THE POWER WITHIN US ALL

                                         TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

                                           TO CHANGE THE WORLD!

Brother Ray

Christina's Reflection

       It is still hard for me to put the whole experience of the trip into words but I will try my best to do so.  Br. Ray is 100% correct when he says that you do not come back the same person. Never in my life have I seen such beautiful places or met such incredible people. The entire trip was breathtaking; the sites, the food, the history. However, I would have to say that my favorite part of the trip was just getting to know the Palestinian people along with the Palestinian culture. Another aspect of the trip that I found life changing was learning about the political situation in Palestine. Before departing on our trip to the Holy Land, I knew some basic information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but I found it incredibly confusing. While in the Holy Land, I gained so much perspective and knowledge on the political situation in both Israel and Palestine.  Our group was lucky enough to meet with Bethlehem University students, professors, political prisoners, refugees, and an incredibly welcoming Bedouin (nomadic) family.  Each person that I met buried a piece of themselves within my heart. These are people and stories that I will never forget. 

      When our Mu Sigma group visited the Political Prisoners' Society in Bethlehem, I was at a loss for words.  The director of the program was nice enough to share his own story with us.  He was imprisoned in an Israel jail for twelve years simply for stating the fact that as a Palestinian, he deserved his freedom.  That is twelve years of his life that he will never get back.  While he was explaining the situation to us, he stated that he would continue to state the fact that he deserved freedom, even if it meant spending another twelve years in prison.  I couldn't stop the tears that were beginning to well up within my eyes.  I have never met someone with such drive and passion.  When we think of prisoners, we think of hard, violent individuals.  This man, however, had compassion.  He was calm and optimistic while sharing his story. 

      All of the people that I met while I was in and around Bethlehem had two things in common.  These people were all extremely peaceful and positive.  I couldn't understand how a group of people that had been so oppressed and misunderstood for so long could remain so peaceful and optimistic. I couldn't imagine how Mohammed, a 22 year old Palestinian living within the walls of the Aida Refugee Camp didn't wake up every morning filled with animosity.  I couldn't understand how he didn't explode with anger because of the fact that his family never knew if they were going to have enough water for the day, week, or month.  This is because while most of the water that supplies Israel is found within the West Bank, the Israeli Government has control over it.  This means that the West Bank is only provided with THEIR water every few weeks.

        While hearing the Palestinian peoples’ stories, I found myself growing angry and hurt for them.  I noticed these feelings growing within me until I asked a student at Bethlehem University how he dealt with the situations and oppressions that surrounded him every single day.  The student responded by saying that he just had to accept certain things and hope for the best.  He said that it wouldn't be possible to be angry and upset every single day.  As Danny Vinyard from the movie American History X stated, "Hate is baggage.  Life is too short to be pissed off all the time".  The student's words really resonated with me.  All of the individuals that I met, the prisoners, the students, the families, the children; they all made me realize that the best way to help improve the current situation in Palestine is not by becoming angry.  We can make the biggest difference simply by sharing.  We can share the stories of the people that we met while we were in Palestine.  We can share by educating those around us, be it our families, friends, or students.  This trip has made me realize that our strongest weapons aren't tanks, machine guns, or missiles.  Our greatest weapons are our words.  We (as students) are lucky to live in this current time.  Our generation has more power than we even realize.  We have the ability to change the world through our words, through our experiences.  I have been so completely changed by this trip.  It is more than I could ever have asked for.  It has inspired me in numerous ways.  I hope to incorporate my experiences and the stories I heard while in Palestine into my involvement with the United Nations in some way.  I hope to teach my future students about the conflicts and different forms of oppression going on throughout the world.  I have fallen completely in love with the Middle East and I know that I will return there within the next few years.

       I urge you all to move outside of your comfort zones, to hear different sides of situations and conflicts, to keep an open mind, and to give your words the power that they deserve!

 I hope that I have not rambled on for too long!   I hope that you are all having an amazing summer and are enjoying yourselves and I am sure I will see most of you very soon.  Thank you for bearing with me!

Love, Christina

Casey Burns Reflection

Coming back home I am definitely a different person than I was before.

Whenever I am telling people about my trip I make sure to tell the the

stories that we heard from the Palestinians, but not everyone agrees

with me. It makes me sad that Americans have so much hate towards

Muslims because not all of them are the way that Muslims are portrayed

in the media. And to be honest, the people in Palestine were the

nicest people I have ever met, and I wish I could say that Americans

treated others as kindly. The Palestinians have a right to be mad at

Americans because the United States is funding Israel, but they are

not. These people have truly inspired me to be a better person.

Hearing all of the horrible stories of what is going on in this

country makes me upset, but I am happy to know that I can help by

spreading the word for them. I now realize that I should not take

anything for granted because I am able to live freely, unlike the

Palestinians.

Another thing that disturbed me was that there is only one special

education school in that area. I cannot believe that there are no

schools to help children with difficulties. Though the school that we

visited was absolutely wonderful, it can't hold every single student

in the country with special needs. That school is also just for

children with ADD or dyslexia. What about the children with Down’s

Syndrome? It is very sad that special needs children do not have the

same educational opportunities as students without disabilities.

All in all, this was an amazing trip and I am so sad that it is over.

I'm not sure how any other trip will be able to beat this one, but we

will see! I honestly am a changed person and extremely thankful

for everything that I have and the opportunities given to me.

To my fellow Pilgrims, Members of Mu Sigma Council, Parents, & Friends,

There is a wonderful phrase that is used in Buddhism that means a

"beginners mind."  I love the term because it means that such a person

has an attitude of openness and an eagerness to learn.  The person is

full of curiosity, wonder, and amazement.

What made our journey so great was that each of you had this

"beginners mind."  I could see it in your eyes, hear it in your voices,

and observe it in your interactions with each other, the Palestinian

people, and the elders {who are they?}.

I especially saw this attitude of "openness" when we talked about

Baptism at the Jordan River.  You were all so excited to participate

in the Re-Baptismal Experience at one of the most important sites of

Christianity - the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John

the Baptist.

I was honored to be able to bless each of you with the water from the

Jordan River in the name of the Holy Trinity.  This was a very "special"

moment for me - not just because there is so much history related to this

area and experience, but because it was clear that this event meant

a lot to so many of you, including myself.  I'm sure that it touched

some inner feelings. This was a WOW experience - We were actually

at the same river where Jesus was baptized.  I thank the Dean for

re-baptizing me and I thank you for asking me to re-baptize you

in the Jordan River.

I have a REQUEST for each of you.  We need to hear from you.  HOW

ARE YOU DIFFERENT OR NOT DIFFERENT TODAY, THEN YOU

WERE BEFORE WE LEFT FOR PALESTINE?

There is so much we can learn from each other.  I would also like

the new members of our Council to learn from these experiences.

As you know, "The owl of Minerva spreads its wings ONLY at dusk."

We gain wisdom from reflecting upon our experiences.  PLEASE -

take some time to reflect upon your particular experiences and share

them with us.  If you think it or feel it, say it!  Why?  Because it is

important!  Why? Because you are important.  LETS PASS IT

FORWARD!

Something you experienced on our "once in a lifetime" trip to the

HOLY LAND - may have sparked and idea or feeling that you can

apply to your life now or in the future as a teacher?  You traveled over

11,000 miles to another part of the world, met the Palestinian people,

learned about their culture, and, the problems they face. How do you

relate to these experiences?  Most of us would love to hear about

your feelings about meeting your Pen Pals.  How were they?  Have

the relationships strengthened and will they continue beyond this journey?

Should we continue this experience with the students at B.U. or

wherever we go next year?

I CELEBRATE you for breaking out of your familiar routine and

going half way around the world.  I have always found that ROUTINE

is the enemy of individual growth and progress.  Seeking out new

experiences has always unleashed my creative juices and I am

sure it has done the same for you. Yes?

Lets make this trip a valuable experience for ourselves and for

others - especially the members of our Chapter.  SHARE YOUR

EXPERIENCES - let us learn from each other. YOU need to bring

your experiences, ideas, opinions, and feelings into the light of day

- your story needs to be told.  The longer we put it off, the less likely

we will hear about it.  This is the best time to do it!

You can MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for all of is!

THANKS!

Brother Ray

To my fellow Pilgrims, Members of Mu Sigma Council, Parents, & Friends

There is a wonderful phrase that is used in Buddhism that means a
"beginners mind."  I love the term because it means that such a person
has an attitude of openness and an eagerness to learn.  The person is
full of curiosity, wonder, and amazement.

What made our journey so great was that each of you had this
"beginners mind."  I could see it in your eyes, hear it in your voices,
and observe it in your interactions with each other, the Palestinian
people, and the elders {who are they?}.

I especially saw this attitude of "openness" when we talked about
Baptism at the Jordan River.  You were all so excited to participate
in the Re-Baptismal Experience at one of the most important sites of
Christianity - the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John
the Baptist.

I was honored to be able to bless each of you with the water from the
Jordan River in the name of the Holy Trinity.  This was a very "special"
moment for me - not just because there is so much history related to this
area and experience, but because it was clear that this event meant
a lot to so many of you, including myself.  I'm sure that it touched
some inner feelings. This was a WOW experience - We were actually
at the same river where Jesus was baptized.  I thank the Dean for
re-baptizing me and I thank you for asking me to re-baptize you
in the Jordan River.


I have a REQUEST for each of you.  We need to hear from you.  HOW
ARE YOU DIFFERENT OR NOT DIFFERENT TODAY, THEN YOU
WERE BEFORE WE LEFT FOR PALESTINE?

There is so much we can learn from each other.  I would also like
the new members of our Council to learn from these experiences.

As you know, "The owl of Minerva spreads its wings ONLY at dusk."
We gain wisdom from reflecting upon our experiences.  PLEASE -
take some time to reflect upon your particular experiences and share
them with us.  If you think it or feel it, say it!  Why?  Because it is
important!  Why? Because you are important.  LETS PASS IT
FORWARD!

Something you experienced on our "once in a lifetime" trip to the
HOLY LAND - may have sparked and idea or feeling that you can
apply to your life now or in the future as a teacher?  You traveled over
11,000 miles to another part of the world, met the Palestinian people,
learned about their culture, and, the problems they face. How do you
relate to these experiences?  Most of us would love to hear about
your feelings about meeting your Pen Pals.  How were they?  Have
the relationships strengthened and will they continue beyond this journey?
Should we continue this experience with the students at B.U. or
wherever we go next year?

I CELEBRATE you for breaking out of your familiar routine and
going half way around the world.  I have always found that ROUTINE
is the enemy of individual growth and progress.  Seeking out new
experiences has always unleashed my creative juices and I am
sure it has done the same for you. Yes?

Lets make this trip a valuable experience for ourselves and for
others - especially the members of our Chapter.  SHARE YOUR
EXPERIENCES - let us learn from each other. YOU need to bring
your experiences, ideas, opinions, and feelings into the light of day
- your story needs to be told.  The longer we put it off, the less likely
we will hear about it.  This is the best time to do it!

You can MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for all of is!

THANKS!

Brother Ray

Fellow Pilgrims to the Holy Land, New Members of Mu Sigma Council, Parents, & Friends,

We came back to a good week.  The New York Yankees swept the New York Mets in three straight games. On the same weekend the Boston Red Sox were swept by the Washington Nationals.  Sorry Casey!  There is always next year.  One of my all-time favorite Broadway plays {Once} won 8 out of 11 Tony Awards - including the Best Musical of 2012.  And to top it off, I went on a wonderful boat ride {Klondike out of New Rochelle} with my colleagues from the School of Education & Health.  Dean Merriman and Dr.  Karen Nicholson were telling everyone about our journey to Palestine.  We not only had a great get together and meal, but we witnessed two beautiful rainbows on the way down to the Statue of Liberty.  Symbols? As I reflected on the week, the one thing I thanked God for was the freedom I can experience in our country. I'm sure you can all relate after returning from the Middle East.

One week ago yesterday, we returned from Palestine.  Our journey was not only an exciting adventure, but a life-changing experience!  YOU ARE NO LONGER THE PERSON YOU WERE BEFORE THE TRIP!  You have changed in so many ways. Like I said in my previous message:  You are no longer hopeless pebbles that are pushed and pulled around by ripples in a stream.  You learned a lot about life, the world, and yourself on this trip.  You have a much better idea of' "who" you are and you now know that you can make a difference in our world.

We met some incredible people on our adventure - From Ramsey and Dimitri to Johnny and the staff at St. Vincent's Hospitality House (Peter, Ben, Nazem, etc.), to the faculty members of B.U. (Dean of School, Sami, Rima, Hiam, etc.), to the Brothers (Peter, Jack, Henry, Peter {V-C}, Robert, Cyril, etc.), to the people at SOS, SIRA {Laurette), and the CRECHE, to the professor of Palestinian studies (Mazin -who is now sending us daily emails), to Tamara and Moi'ed at the Dheisha refugee camp, to the people at the Aida refugee camp, to the elders at the Village, to the Olive Oil person (Nadi) who took us into the desert for our lunch, to Cima {lunch at the cafe} and her brother (Jasper), her Mom and her Dad (Jerusalem), to your Pen Pals, and to the Bedouin family (lunch in the desert).

One of the major highlights of the trip for me was our Lunch in the Desert with the BEDOUIN family, a predominantly desert-dwelling Arabian group.  I would like to share some thoughts I have about that experience. I was a bit nervous and uncomfortable - especially when I had to remove my shoes and sit on the ground for the meal.  And I always had the question in my mind - where did this food come from?  Certainly not the local food store.  I had some sheep butter and actually liked it.

BUT, what struck me so clearly was how each of you seized this wonderful moment and opened yourselves up in such a loving way to this entire family.  The Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, "... wherever you go, go with all your heart."  Each of you went into that experience "with all your heart" - and got involved with this family.  It was so obvious that communication was taking place, even though you spoke two different languages {except for Katie}. I am so proud of all of you because the "life-blood" of your relationships with students will be communication.  You were not able to listen with your ears or talk with your mouth, but you certainly listened and communicated with your eyes and heart.  This is such an important skill for a teacher.  No matter where we went or what we did on our journey, you went into it "with all your heart."

On my last visit to Palestine, I asked some of the young Palestinians "What do you think about Americans?"  The simple answer was "All we ask of you is to come and visit with us - listen to our stories - and then, you can judge us."  I always tell you {my students} that once you hear a person's story you cannot NOT like them.  It is so true!  I hope you agree with me after this experience.  We have listened to the stories of the Palestinian people we met - and I believe we can all agree that they are incredible, good, and welcoming people. The author of "Out of Africa" once said, "All sorrows can be borne if we put them in a story or tell a story about them."  What apowerful statement!  We listened to their stories.  I know that hearing their stories has changed my life - certainly opened my eyes and my brain.  I learned a lot about them and about myself. I hoped it helped them feel somewhat better that we do care about their plight.

My message to all students at Manhattan College:  GET A PASSPORT and SEE THE WORLD! We need a new generation of LEADERS and INNOVATORS in an ever more globalized world. The program in our Honor Society, "STUDENTS ACROSS BORDERS", which is taking students to live and learn in different cultures and places around the world is no longer a luxury - it is a NECESSITY.  Students need to have an understanding of global issues, be able to develop a broad and sophisticated worldview, and know how to effectively engage themselves with people in this world who are very different from themselves.

I want to THANK each of you for having the courage to make your own personal commitment to come to Palestine with us.  This was not an easy decision considering what was happening in that part of the world.  I had many sleepless nights since we made the decision in February.  I was questioned and challenged many times about taking this particular trip to Palestine.  I read the papers every day and many well intentioned adults sent me articles, etc.  Sadly, many of thestudents who stated they wanted to go dropped out.  We carefully monitored the situation every day - because we would never put students in any danger.  I am glad that we remained strongand did not cave in with the pressure. I thank you for your courage and for believing in what we wanted to do.  I deeply appreciate the incredible support and encouragement of Dean WilliamMerriman, Dr. Karen Nicholson, and your parents.

I hope that each of you have the opportunity to reflect upon your "once-in-a-lifetime" experience and share it with our family.  As the great educator John Dewey once said, "You don't learn from an experience, but rather, you learn from your reflection upon that experience."  You now have time to reflect.  I can't wait to read your reflections.

You have become very "special people" to me!  Thanks for letting me get to know you a little

bit better.We are given a handful of people to be part of OUR lives who shape us during the course of our short lifetimes.  I am thankful that all of you landed in my handful.  Life is too short to risk letting anyone slip through our fingers like grains of sand.  Our handful of people were given to us for a reason.  Thank you for being part of my handful.  I will be there if you need me.

-Brother Ray