Due to my experiences, I am aware of the fact that many of the viewpoints I have been exposed to and that I have contributed in discussion about revolve around the Zionist perspective. When I am talking about Israel, I am talking to other Jews. It is a rare opportunity to be able to discuss this delicate subject with the opposing side. As a Jew, the typical view of Palestinians that is shown is a very negative image. I am sure that the Palestinian view of Jews is the same. Though each side would like to claim its innocence and declare their actions as self righteous, I think that it is safe to say that through many years of conflict neither are free of guilt.
There were a few points that arose to me in my reading of the assigned text. The first was the division of the research teams, and their focus on the east versus the west. They spoke about the border, and how they believed that it should be zig-zagged because it is "less political." I found that this statement was very contradictory and almost comical, because the reason for the border to exist in the first place is religion, and second politics. Both teams were searching for the essence of the culture and were trying so hard to adequately represent this rich but complex city. What I found interesting about all of this was that even though they put so much effort and thought into bringing "Jerusalem, Yerushalyim, Al-Quds" to Washington, D.C., their efforts were fruitless because of a supposed financial struggle. There is struggle in the city of Jerusalem, and it is a great challenge to find culture devoid of political strife. In a time when the thought of peace was so evident, it is a shame that they were not able to somehow transplant this city justly in this span of time.
I thought that the articles were an interesting way to delve into this subject. When I think of a festival, I think of cheesy, showy displays that may or may not accurately portray the reality of a place. After all, you don't really get the full experience of a place until you go there and experience it yourself. However, I did like the parallels Hasan-Rokem drew between the festival and the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. I'm interested to see what other angles we look at in future classes.
I think that this class is going to be a very cool and unique way to learn and discuss the city of Jerusalem. The class defies the Western way of learning, and my western I mean through memorization and regurgitation of facts. I am very excited that this class also takes full advantage of technological resources. Just a few years ago, this class wouldn't have been possible. However, with every advantage that technology brings, it also holds its disadvantages. Statements can be misread easily online, so proof reading before posting will be slightly more necessary with this touchy subject.
I can recall a select few times when I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Palestinian teenagers in my travels. Even though it was for a limited time and with a heavy language barrier, it is through experiences like these that I have been able to see the similarities between Israelis and Palestinians. I come to this class with a strong belief in a Jewish homeland, yet with an understanding that the differences we draw between each other are often not actually as different as we perceive them.
