The Palestinian Flowers By Rachel Swartz

         When I first heard we were traveling to the Middle East, I imagined a place straight out of the Disney film Aladdin. I thought it would be a vast land caked over with dust, and sand dunes in the foothills; I expected no vegetation could survive at all in these conditions. However, upon our arrival, that concept completely blew away with the sandy wind. I found flowers everywhere- growing out of dry earth, in a place where water is so scarce and limited, flowers blossomed and overtook the fields. How do they do it?

           

            We visited a refugee camp today for the first time and I felt as if I stepped into a time warp or some sort of war movie. There were armed guards everywhere and loud speakers to project government messages to the Palestinian refugees. Yes, they are Palestinian citizens living on Palestinian land, but they are considered refugees. Riddle me that. They were forced out of their old homes and to reside in these buildings, funded by the UN, yet they are considered refugees; today a majority of Palestinian citizens are refugees. If you don’t belong in your own homeland then where do you belong? These buildings were supposed to be temporary but have lasted since 1948. In an extremely cramped area, built around an Israeli military base and the infamous “wall,” the camp originally housed only 150 people. Today that number has peaked to almost 5,000. When hearing just the facts, it seems almost inconceivable, right?

           

            Despite crowded and unsanitary conditions, the biggest problem refugees face is a massive water shortage. Actually, massive isn’t a strong enough word… more like astronomical. When the Israelis began bulldozing Palestinian land and creating their own settlements upon it, they also gained control of the Palestinian water supplies. To this day, they control the amount of water Palestinians and Israelis get; those in the camps, a majority of Palestinian people, remember, only receive 17 % of this water. Water comes every few weeks or few days, and the people must collect it in jugs and save it. Today, alone, we saw many children travel to a pipe in the street where they gathered water for their families, filing dirty bottles with all their little hands could carry. The times when there is no water, filthy clothes and dishes pile high in the house, and the people go without bathing or drinking clean water for lengths of time. If this is not the definition of a human rights issue, I do not know what is. The human body is composed of 75% water. If one cannot give themselves that water, what becomes of him?

             The more I learn about this land, the more I seem to be amazed. Under such harsh conditions and adversity, the Palestinians band together and remain strong; without water, land, a place to call their own, they thrive. They find some good in life, something to live for, a reason to hope. I was not expecting to learn any of this when coming on this trip, just like I was clueless to Palestine’s flourishing vegetation. I have come to realize these are just like their flowers- with little water, during hardships, they survive. They thrive. They come together to form something beautiful, the Palestinian culture.

            At a shop in the camp today, a few of us wanted to purchase a shirt that read, “Free the Palestinians.” I immediately grabbed in it my size, by one of the girls said it could be really controversial in America, meaning it might not be safe to wear. Dropping my shirt in the realization that they world is not on the same page as us, I sighed, wishing there was something more I could do. America was helping to fund the Israeli army after all, in turn supporting this kind of living for refugees. I wonder if anyone went around with anti-holocaust items before or during WWII? I changed my mind. I think I should have bought a shirt. 

Witnessing Injustice in the Holiest Place on Earth by Rachel Swartz

           Today is our fourth day on the trip, but marks our first full day in Palestine; we crossed the border yesterday. We have seen so many miraculous sights, between the Dead Sea, the Church of Annunciation, the Jordan River (in which we were “rebaptized” as Christians), the Church of the Nativity, among countless others. Yet, nothing has struck me quite so deeply as learning about the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.

            We recently watched a film at Bethlehem University about the history of both Israel and Palestine, and just what led up to the conflict existing today. From what I could gather, certain Jews who moved to and lived in Israel wanted to create a state purely for Jewish people. These people were called Zions, who took any means to move Palestinians, or any one who was not of the Jewish faith, off of their land. Even though Jews from other countries did not support this, the Zions continued to violently force people out of their homes and land, into refugee camps. With strong and constant military presence, these camps were only supposed to be temporary, but decades later these displaced people still reside in these poor conditions, in the midst of hostility, merely because of their religious affiliation; I cannot wrap my head around it. Did the Holocaust teach us nothing? One of the brothers told us that some of these people had owned their homes for generations and held on to their house keys, thinking they would soon be able to return. Especially years later, I cannot imagine the lives of those residing there today, like the children and young adults. What must it be like to feel out of place and unwanted in the only place you can now call home? To not have witnessed or partaken in the creation of this religious rift, yet to have to suffer from the repercussions must be a difficult way to live; it sounds confusing, and its like these people are told they are “bad” when really, at this point, they have done nothing wrong. At least this is my opinion- the innocent are now held captive. It makes me so angry, but that anger empowers me to do more, to want to help, to take action. I am eager to visit the refugee camps in a few days to have some of my questions answered. It is so ironic that such violence has occurred in the places where Jesus was born and lived, scared to those across the globe.

            At mass today, which we attended in the Church of the Nativity, there was a young boy of about eight or nine who acted as an altar server especially for this mass. He had cancer, and his family and he traveled to this specific church purposely in hopes of curing him. From the altar, the boy’s face was illuminated with happiness like one of the bright candles sitting before him, as he clearly loved his special job. One of his family members displayed a cross made out of tape upon his head, which I took to be his way of supporting the boy, who had lost his hair. The family could not take their eyes off of the boy, taking pictures of him, smiling humbly and in some instances, crying. I noticed especially his younger sister, who did not look older than five or six, breaking into sobs throughout the mass; yet, the family stuck together, supporting one another and not letting themselves emotionally break down. I thought to myself how mature this little girl must have been, to know so much about the fate of her brother that it brought her to tears. She prayed intensely and behaved well throughout the entire mass, something that is can be difficult for children of that age. I was in awe. But that must be how many of the children living in this area are; you grow up fast when you live amongst political turmoil. I learned a lot about the family unit in the area of the world, specifically Palestinians. Despite injustices or hardships placed before them, they are people are of strong constitution, maintain pride in their race and a deep faith in God. It is inspiring, really.

Great video to introduce our trip

Thank you for the video, really enjoyed seeing it. 

5 DAYS!!!

EVERYONE GET EXCITED! 

Bible References

Itinerary!

Bethlehem12

Manhattan College Students and Faculty

Day 01: May 23, 2012 – Travel from Newark to Tel Aviv

DAY 02: May 24, 2012 Thursday ARRIVAL TEL AVIV - CAESAREA/HAIFA/TIBERIAS (D)
Morning arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel's modern-day metropolis. Your flight with United Airlines (#84) lands at Ben Gurion Airport at 9:25 in the morning. Our representative will be at hand to welcome your arrival with a sign: “Nicholson Group / Manhattan College” and will be waiting for you at United’s / Continental custom’s arrival.  Begin your drive north towards Caesarea. This city was named in honor of Caesar Augustus and became the seat of the Roman procurators of Judea. Visit the Crusader fortifications, moat, amphitheater and aqueduct. Continue along the Mediterranean to Haifa on the slopes of Mt Carmel. We stop for a spectacular view over the city and bay, past the majestic gold-domed Bahai Temple and Persian Gardens. It is near here that Elijah challenged the priests of Baal.Visit the Stella Maris Church. Travel through Megiddo before descending 636 feet below sea level, arrive in Tiberias, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee arriving at the hotel by early evening in time for dinner and overnight.

Astoria Hotel, Tiberias Address: 13    hel Yaakov St., Tiberias Phone:         972-4-6722351 Fax:         972-4-6725108 Email: hotel@astoria.co.il Internet Address: www.astoria.co.il

DAY 03: May 25, 2012 Friday SEA OF GALILEE / NAZARETH / TIBERIAS  (B, L, D)
After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, Our day begins with a visit to Mount Beatitudes, revered by Christians as the site where Jesus preached his immortal Sermon on the Mount and Tabgha,the location dedicated to the feeding of the multitude. A short drive takes you to Capernaum visiting the area where Jesus lived, the House of Simon Peter and the Synagogue. At Tiberias visit the city before boarding a launch cruise that will take you across the tranquil Sea of Galilee. This afternoon, we visitCana where the first miracle took place – the transformation of water into wine. We continue our way towards Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Visit the Church of the Annunciation, The Synagogue,the market place and Mary's Well. We visit the Museum type “Nazareth Village” depicting scenes of life as it was in the days of Christ. (A special lunch will be included for you either in Cana or at Kibbutz Ein Gev). At the end of the day, we Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

DAY 04: May 26, 2012 Saturday JORDAN VALLEY /DEAD SEA/JERUSALEM (B)
Drive to the southern end of the Sea of Galilee and stop at the River Jordan then continue through the Jordan Valley, via Beth Shean which is the best preserved Roman city of the Decapolis; and going through the Jordan Valley, descending 850 feet below sea level to one of the oldest cities in the world,Jericho with its Canaanite ruins. To the west of Jericho stands Mt. of Temptation. Visit Elisha's Fountain and stop to see an old sycamore tree dedicated to Zacchaeus.  Your afternoon sightseeing includes the salt encrusted Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth and the excavations of Qumran where in 1947 the first of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Visit the 2000 year old Essenes Community Center and the Caves of the  Scrolls. Drive into the wilderness of Judea, stopping briefly at the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and on to Bethany before arriving into Bethlehem in time for dinner. (Lunch in Jericho is included).  

Overnight at St. Vincent Guesthouse, John Paul II St. | Bethlehem, Via Israel | Phone: (02) 276-0967 | Fax: (02) 276-0970 | E-mail: svincent@p-ol.com

May 26 – June 1 Bethlehem – Visit Bethlehem University, Refugee Camps, Schools.

DAY 10:  June 2, 2012 Saturday      JERUSALEM OLD CITY
By bus we begin at the Dung Gate located near the City of David Excavations. This is your introduction to the Jewish Quarter and your visit to the “Wailing Wall” (Western Wall) built with huge Herodian stone blocks. From here drive around the pinnacle of the Temple and the city walls of Jerusalem towards the Lion’s Gate (Gate of the Tribes). Crusader times are best reflected in the simple strength and design of St. Anne's Basilica (AD 1140).  According to Byzantine tradition this crypt enshrines the home of the Virgin Mary with her parents, Joachim and Anne. Next to it are the miraculous medicinal baths of (Bethsaida) where Jesus cured a man who had been ill for 38 years (John 5:1). Our walking path this morning will begin at the headquarters of the Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate right next to the Ecce Homo arch and the famous under-ground street for the "Lithostrotos".  Here lies the pavement where Pontius Pilate stood on the steps of the Praetorium and washed his hands of finding any guilt in the arrest of Jesus. From here we follow the Via Dolorosa directly to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre . . . Mount Calvary and the tomb for the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. As we return to visit the Mountain of Zion and the Cenacle, we pass through the Armenian quarter, and visit in the Church of Dormition.  With a pause for reflection on the peaceful slumber of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the form of a sleeping statue.  We then go next door to the Cenacle.  This is the "Upper Room" to mark the place for Celebration of the Last Supper.  Thus, our gathering for Eucharist in this beautiful chapel will be the highlight of our day. It is clear from archeology and paleontology that this house for the Last Supper was originally a Church/Synagogue for the first Judeo Christians until the time of Constantine and then the Roman occupation by Gentile Christians.   At that time, it was known as the 'Upper Room' Mount Zion & the 'Cenacle / 'Chapel of the Holy Ghost'. On March 26th 1936, Franciscans bought an old family bakery which held the Cenacle.  Now it is named as the Convent of St. Francis / 'Church ad Caeneculum' located near the Zion Gate.  After our visit we return by bus to the hotel in Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11: June 3, 2012 SUNDAY       RAMALLAH        

Be prepared to start early. Today, we will spend some time visiting Ramallah the de facto capital of the Palestine authority. Since 1995 the summer resort of Palestine has become another Metropolis amongst the Palestinian Cities of the West Bank. Yasser Arafat is buried here. El Bireh (Beeroth) is adjacent to Ramallah and it is “one day’s journey from Jerusalem” (Luke 2:44) on the way to Lebonah. Beeroth is believed to be the place where Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was with neither of them. When they did not find him they returned to Jerusalem, and found him three days later sitting in the midst of the teachers and the elders.  Near here is Bethel, Shiloh, Anathoth, Gibeah the city of Benjamin, Ramah and Mizpah where Saul was chosen king. On the way back one may visit Gibeon where the sun and the moon stood still, and Qbeibeh where one school of thought places Emmaus where Jesus appears to two disciples (Luke 24:13-25) on the road to Emmaus. Our tour today will end around 1:00 pm returning to Bethlehem   

DAY 12: June 4, 2012 MONDAY   MOUNT OF OLIVES/GETHSEMANE/MOUNT ZION

This morning, drive to the Mount of Olives for an unforgettable panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount just before us. Next we visit the Chapel of Ascension commemorating the ascension of our Lord 40 days after his resurrection.  Pater Noster is where Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Begin our decent by foot down the Palm Sunday Road, visiting along the way Dominus Flevit Chapel where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, and the Church of All Nations standing in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed "not my will, but Thine be done."  After lunch, our driver will take us to the Church of Saint Peter Gallicantu.  This is the traditional site for theResidence of the High Priest (Caiphas) who had Jesus arrested and put into confinement. There is an adjacent courtyard in which Jesus was betrayed by his entrusted friend, Peter.  Excavations also have brought to light some ancient Roman steps here from the 1st century BC. These were very likely used by our Lord on Holy Thursday night and Good Friday.  He walked from this site thru the Kidron Valley over to the Garden of Gethsemane and then back to the High Priest residence after his arrest. Time permitting, we will also visit Ein karem and Yad Vashem if desired. Return to Bethlehem in time for dinner and overnight at your hotel. (Note: Yad Vashem needs advance reservation for group visit)

GROUP

 Giuliana Addesso
 Casey Burns 

Christina Ferrari
 Maxiel Peralta
 Mary Beierle 

Michael Dugan
 Ana Diaz
 Colleen Fallon
 Rachel Swartz 

 Laura Pattavina 
  Dr. Karen Nicholson 
   Br. Raymond Meagher
    Dean William Merriman