Jewish schooling system, finding that Jesus’ disciples
had been unworthy of a rabbi’s prestigious mentorship
before He appointed them. Did you know that Peter’s
denial rooster was actually a peacock? Men were nailed
on crosses at the eye level rather than up high? And
that the honey that describes the Promised Land comes
from figs, not bees? This all goes to say that my pro-
fessors’ entreaties to approach my studies with a cul-
turally cognizant mindset is correct! ticing Jews, Muslims, Christians, and thousands of
refugees demonstrate impressive diversity for a nation
barely the size of New Jersey. Not only did I observe
such diversity, but from our tour of Israel’s Knesset
(Parliament) I learned that various perspectives are
welcomed here as well. With Palestinian represen-
tation and a significant female political presence,
Israel recognizes that unity does not mean sameness.
Takeaway 3: Israel fights to exist After 2,000 years of separation from their home-
land, the Jews returned to Israel and have transformed
their adversities into opportunities. As an agricul-
tural major, I was fascinated how Israel’s drip irri-
gation helps countries worldwide obtain higher crop
yields with less water. I again admired Israel’s inge-
nuity when we visited Olea Essence, a company that
converts olives’ toxic black water into cosmetics.
And I cannot forget our discussions with Israel De-
fense Forces soldiers.
I love Israel. Thanks to my experience, I grew
more familiar with the Bible, realizing its Jewish
roots are deeper than I had ever anticipated. Yet,
Israel is more than a taste of the past; it is a vibrant
step into the present that no one could have imag-
ined nearly 70 years ago. As I cross Israel off my
bucket list, I feel an amalgamation of joy, liberation,
and gratefulness. And do you know what else I feel?
Veneration of God for keeping His promises to the
Jewish people… and to me, even today. | cu
Despite the disagreements between Jews and
Palestinians, Israel continues to embrace multiple
ethnicities and religions. Orthodox Jews, non-prac-
2
Takeaway 4: Israel embodies community
While our trip’s faith-based components spiri-
tually motivated me, uncovering its past and present
conflicts intellectually challenged me. Visiting the
Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust museum, forced me
to confront the graphic reality of anti-Semitism and
some of Christianity’s past grievances against Jewish
people. As for the Israel-Palestine conflict, nearly
every day a new lecturer shared their insights, con-
cluding that peace is but a dream. Their words seemed
to come alive when we visited a Jewish, farm-based
community near the Gaza Strip. A humble, yet res-
olute woman showed us the bomb shelters her peo-
ple flee to every time the Palestinian terrorist group
Hamas launches a shrapnel in their direction. Over
the past three years, 16,000 shells have landed.
Takeaway 5: Israel endures
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