Tag: Jerusalem

By AshleyLe

"Today, we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.  This is nothing more, or less, than a recognition of reality.  It is also the right thing to do.  It’s something that has to be done."

When President Donald Trump declared these words on December 6, millions of Jerusalem, Palestine, and Arab residents cried out in response. The following 72 hours became the long Days of Rage, with men, women, and children assembled together to mark the beginning of something else, of something more. They were fired up. They were ready to fight. They were not afraid to make their outrage heard.

In the midst of their cries of pain, their calls for justice, and their longing for peace, I witnessed so much more. I knew there was something greater than just what I saw with my eyes, like a magnet that kept pulling me back.

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ according to Biblical text, was brighter than normal. But instead of the streets decking out in Christmas lights and decorations, it slowly became battle grounds. Bethlehem's main street was covered in fire and tear gas. The roads turned black, the city turned grey, and its people turned red. More than 5 hours after the beginning of the first day of rage, thousands of Palestinians were still on the street. Despite extreme pain caused by tear gas, they knew better than to give up. To many Palestinians, Christians and Muslims alike, there was a need to scream, to demonstrate, and to fight, in order to win back hope.

...continue reading "Our Days of Rage"

Today marks the half-way point in my study abroad journey. In exactly 2 months, I will be boarding my flight back to Washington D.C. While I look forward to return home, my time in Israel has also been filled with moments that I could never forget.

So, as I consider myself more of a local than a tourist now, I am going to reflect on the #OnlyInIsrael moments that have left me excited, fascinated, or amazed.

Shabbat Shalom: My first and major adjustment comes from the fact that on the 24 hours of Shabbat, Jerusalem almost completely shuts down. I have come to terms and appreciate this tradition, but the challenge of how to become a part of this observance is still a challenge that I have yet to overcome.

Airport security: I would never, ever, forget how tight airport security is in Israel. Throughout my life, I have been in more than 10 different airports across the world. However, Israel is hands down the strictest. Given the fact that I was placed in a special list, the time it takes for me from my taxi to the flight gate is twice that of a normal passenger. To be exact, it was 3 hours.

Diversity in languages: Hebrew is the main language. But like every other Westernized country, English is widely known. In addition, the Arab population shares their Arabic in big cities like Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. On almost every form of public transportation and services, instructions can be found in all 3 languages.

...continue reading "My #OnlyInIsrael Impressions"

This past weekend, my university took the exchange students into the desert, where we spent 3 days with a Kibbutz community in Ketura, Israel.

In the most basic definition, a Kibbutz is a collective community in Israel based on agriculture, manufacture, and/or environmental science. They choose to live together far away from city life; they emphasize the value of sharing together; and they work for the collective good of each community.

When I was first introduced to the concept of a Kibbutz, I found myself quick to question the motive behind living away from society. I though that it would be a disservice to both themselves and to the larger society if they worked for their own communities, kept to their own communities, and stayed on their communities (typically in the desert or mountain) for the majority of their time without reaching out elsewhere.  For me, the idea of staying far away from the city and modern society was unheard of and hard to accept.

This weekend, however, proved to me otherwise. While I have come to the realization that Kibbutz life is only for those who would be willing to make the commitment, I also learned that in staying and working together as a community, Kibbutz members also contribute to the larger society in ways that we can't as an individual. In Ketura, I learned that together, these Kibbutz members build a system of reusable energy, where waste materials, such as bread, feces, or anything else, can be turned into electricity. This incredible system is then introduced and used as an energy source in lower-income villages in Ethiopia.

...continue reading "Weekend at the Kibbutz"

By AshleyLe

When I was in Munich during my 3-week vacation, my Nikon camera stopped working without any prior sign. After trying on a few batteries, a glimpse of hope surfaced when a little light on the LCD control panel lit up. I smiled in relief, thinking that where there's a will, there's a way.

Back to Israel, I traveled from Jerusalem to Tel-Aviv to the best camera store in the State of Israel. I wanted my camera to work, because to me, it meant so much more than just a photo equipment. The journey included an expedited conversational Hebrew language lesson, an exploration of an Israeli city that resembles more to European countries, and an eye-opening discovery into the differences in Israeli society. All of which I am still processing.

Today, I will only write about my camera, and its incredible impact on my life from California, to Washington DC, and into the world.

After 3 weeks in the camera repair lab, I finally received a phone call informing that the technicians were not able to repair my camera. I was heartbroken and disappointed. For more than 4 years, my camera has accompanied me from the very beginning of my storyteling journey, and led me through life-changing opportunities. While it might not make a lot of sense, I truly believe that I would not have found my passion, my purpose, and my place in the world without my camera.

...continue reading "Through The Lens"

"On the 29th November, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel; the General Assembly required the inhabitants of Eretz-Israel to take such steps as were necessary on their part for the implementation of that resolution. This recognition by the United Nations of the right of the Jewish people to establish their State is irrevocable." - Israel Proclamation of Independence, 1948

I grew up in a Christian household, and I have always been proud to identify myself as a Christ follower.

Throughout my childhood, I looked up to my father, who served as a pastor and a missionary. I fearfully learned from my mother, a respected religion teacher in my church. I vividly remember learning to read when I was just 4 years-old, with my first reading exercise being Psalm 1. I spent my pre-teen stage well connected with church friends, and shaped by Biblical figures and Bible stories.

When I moved to the United States in 2010, I was terrified of everything, from having to learn the new language, to being shorter, smaller, and different from everyone around my age. In that midst of fear, however, I found peace, love, and support from a faith community that I had just been acquainted with. When I moved to Washington D.C. on my own, I once again found a church community that strengthens, empowers and love me unconditionally. My life has always been on the move, but I have always had a community. I have always found my community.

...continue reading "A Simply Complicated Jerusalem Faith Story"

By AshleyLe

The question that I've had to answer no less than 50 times, to the point where I have memorized how to answer in 3 different languages.

No doubt, Israel is a fascinating country. It is perhaps the only country where peace and war exist together, or where armed soldiers in uniform march down the city streets while also dancing through the night in Jerusalem's most popular clubs. Israel is not my country; Jerusalem is not my city; but surprisingly, they have become my home.

As a daughter of Christian missionaries, I remember learning how to read, in both Vietnamese and English, by reading the Bible. Since I was 4 years old, I have always imagined myself roaming through the streets of Israel, where I can picture the scene of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the fall of Jericho, or the walk to Jesus' crucifixion on Via Dolorosa. As I got older and became more aware of international politics, I find myself not only interested, but saddened by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as other tensions within the region. Subsequently, Israel became my "promise land", where I made a commitment to myself that I would visit soon.

...continue reading "So, why Israel?"