Visited Shepherd's school in Beit Sahour where the principal spoke about the school for ages 3 through high school. Surprise visit from the Orthodox priest who greeted us warmly. The principal spoke of his family's tragedy when all 4 were shot by Israelis and his daughter was killed in 2005. They have joined with other families to work towards peace and not allow hatred. Both Christian and Muslim children attend the school. He spoke of God's message to love and respect each other.
Toured the University of Bethlehem and learned of their work with Christian and Muslim students. A real oasis above the city. Student panel talked about the difficulties in going from one side of the separation wall to the other just to get to school. Took pictures of the library and brought greetings from Fairfield U to their President. Students appeared very focused and determined to get an education.
Next to the Tent of Nations, a Palestinian farm on a hill between 2 settlements. Planted 40 olive trees, had lunch, and learned more about the Occupation and desire for a peaceful resolution. The settlements look like big modern apartment complexes. The farm had no water or electricity because it is not recognized despite being there for 100 years.
Debke dancers from the local cultural center performed after dinner.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Bethlehem
After 8.5 hour flight to Istanbul, we had about 2 hours to explore the Istanbul airport, sample Turkish cookies, and get a 2 hour flight to Tel Aviv where we met up with those who flew direct. Modern airport with lots of security. Unprepared for the random pull outs for questioning and about 5 in our group of 35 were questioned for 3 to 30 minutes about their purpose and travel plans. Coach bus took us about 90 minutes to our hotel in Bethlehem. Hilly, rocky landscape with lots of sand colored buildings. Entered Bethlehem through the entry point in the separation wall.. Old city, crowded streets and heavy rain greeted us. The Palestinians have been very welcoming.
Monday, March 7, 2011
What is the TOL organization?
The Tree of Life organization began after 9/11 when members of the Old Lyme Congregational Church wanted to know how to go forward. It was decided that one of the ways was to build more of an interfaith community and to work together to address the conflicts in the Middle East. This year's trip will be the 7th journey.
Dear Friends,
Our leader, the Rev. David Good, wrote of our upcoming journey:
On March 9th we will depart for our annual Tree of Life Journey, and I’m delighted to have 40 participants, including a number of young people who will be traveling with us. This is also quite a geographically diverse group, with participants coming from Michigan, Cape Cod, Hawaii, New York, Philadelphia, Koinonia Farm in Georgia, Virginia, Maine, France, Spain and several different towns in Connecticut.
Throughout our travels, we will meet with a variety of those who have distinguished themselves as “voices of conscience” – a Bedouin woman who has opened up a school for the children of her community, the Israeli Comm. Against House Demolitions that rebuilds homes and replants olive trees for those Palestinians who have lost their homes and their olive orchards to the expansionist-minded settlers of Israel and the oppressive measures of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). We will meet with a young Israeli woman, Dana Golan, who as a former soldier in the IDF speaks out against the human rights violations that take place in the Israeli occupation. We will meet with Elias Chacour, author of Blood Brothers, who translates one of the beatitudes as “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will get up and do something about it!” We will meet with both Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones in the violence, and we will have an anointing service on the Mt. Of Beatitudes to remember Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
We are departing at a time when an amazing democratic movement is sweeping through the Arab world, from Tunisia to Egypt and even as I write this, the people in Libya are trying to rise up against their own dictatorial regime. Our friends in Palestine and Israel are hoping and praying that change might come to them as well as they struggle to overcome the injustices and the violence that have gone on for much too long. Knowing how important it is that the people there know that there are Americans who pray and hope for a better future for both Palestinians and Israelis, makes me proud of our Tree of Life travelers. Throughout our travels please know that we represent you, the members and friends of our church, and please know that your prayers and support are very much appreciated by us all.
We leave Wednesday, March 7 via Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and then on to Tel Aviv.
Our leader, the Rev. David Good, wrote of our upcoming journey:
On March 9th we will depart for our annual Tree of Life Journey, and I’m delighted to have 40 participants, including a number of young people who will be traveling with us. This is also quite a geographically diverse group, with participants coming from Michigan, Cape Cod, Hawaii, New York, Philadelphia, Koinonia Farm in Georgia, Virginia, Maine, France, Spain and several different towns in Connecticut.
Throughout our travels, we will meet with a variety of those who have distinguished themselves as “voices of conscience” – a Bedouin woman who has opened up a school for the children of her community, the Israeli Comm. Against House Demolitions that rebuilds homes and replants olive trees for those Palestinians who have lost their homes and their olive orchards to the expansionist-minded settlers of Israel and the oppressive measures of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). We will meet with a young Israeli woman, Dana Golan, who as a former soldier in the IDF speaks out against the human rights violations that take place in the Israeli occupation. We will meet with Elias Chacour, author of Blood Brothers, who translates one of the beatitudes as “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will get up and do something about it!” We will meet with both Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones in the violence, and we will have an anointing service on the Mt. Of Beatitudes to remember Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
We are departing at a time when an amazing democratic movement is sweeping through the Arab world, from Tunisia to Egypt and even as I write this, the people in Libya are trying to rise up against their own dictatorial regime. Our friends in Palestine and Israel are hoping and praying that change might come to them as well as they struggle to overcome the injustices and the violence that have gone on for much too long. Knowing how important it is that the people there know that there are Americans who pray and hope for a better future for both Palestinians and Israelis, makes me proud of our Tree of Life travelers. Throughout our travels please know that we represent you, the members and friends of our church, and please know that your prayers and support are very much appreciated by us all.
We leave Wednesday, March 7 via Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and then on to Tel Aviv.
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