Brief Update

Sorry for the lack of updates. I was in the middle of a big one, and had to go to a conference this weekend. In just 5 hours, I will be getting up to go all the way to Kibbutz Neot Smadar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neot_Smadar). It is one of the only remaining socialist-leaning Kibbutzim in the country which incorporates Buddhist principles. You are not allowed to talk during meals. Should be an interesting adventure. I will update when I get back (Friday or Saturday). Until then...

BFL aka Big Fat Leaders

Last weekend, I went on a special seminar called BFL (Building Future Leadership). I know, I know it sounds corny--I was also very sceptical. This program is touted by MASA as the best-of-the-best conference (re: cream of the crop) where future leaders come together to talk about different ways to be a leader. This is done through guest speakers, group discussion and volunteer work. BFL is a three-part seminar, the first of which focuses on leadership examples. Highlights include a typical Zionist speech by one of Israel's most senior military leaders MK Moshe Ya’alon, former IDF Chief of staff; Moty Kanias, spoke from a post-Zionist or pro Palestinian perspective. He served in one of Israel's most elite units, Sayeret Matkal. Put together, one can understand how confusing the whole conflict is. I appreciated getting a perspective I would have otherwise not heard. The most interesting time, however, was spent with four IDF soldiers currently enlisted in an elite unit known as Sayeret Duvdevan. The unit is in charge of infiltration and recognisance in the West Bank. They essentially act on intelligence reports by infiltrating covertly "hot" areas. They pride themselves on the ability to locate individual suspects without harming others along the way. One of the soldiers is also an officer (a commander), at age 22 he is in charge of 28 troops who are loyal to his every command. It's pretty amazing how fast these kids have to grow up. Another soldier was born in Israel but lived in Australia most of his life, they call people who do this "lone soldiers". I talked to him briefly about international law and whether or not his unit follows protocols such as acquiring warrants for wire tapping or using the presumption of innocence before proving a suspect’s guilt. He seemed to suggest this did not happen, and when suspects are transfered to Israel they go through a military tribunal, which of course is kept very secretive. I'd be interested in learning more about this process.

The seminar was interesting for other reasons, especially getting to network and meet other people interested in social justice work. We discussed our ideas for projects and had the opportunity to go out on Friday night. Jerusalem is surprisingly lively during Shabbat. The bars and clubs are full of patrons to the wee hours of the morning. Impressive. I'm looking forward to the next conference in 3 weeks.

On Monday, I had the distinct opportunity of hearing a Holocaust survivor speak as part of my academic course here at Tikkun Olam. She told her story of living in Poland through the worst of the Holocaust---surviving the Warsaw Ghetto (from disease to uprising), Majdanek concentration camp, Birkenau extermination camp, The March of Death. An amazing woman.

Tuesday night was absolutely crazy. We all went out for Purim and got very drunk. A street called Florentine has the action all night. Thousands of people came in costume partying the night away. Probably one of the craziest party experiences of my life!

Yesterday, I had my final interview with Amnesty Israel. I can now officially say that I am interning with them. On Monday and Tuesday I am attending a conference on the African Refugees in Israel run by the head official for refugee rights at Amnesty International in the UK. Should be a very interesting and an educational time, I look forward to updating everyone. I have been given the task of researching content for their new website. I am essentially writing the English introductory articles and finding relevant material for the refugee page. Hopefully they will like my work and I will be given a bigger, more substantial role.

This weekend I'm going to the Sea of Galilee with Tikkun Olam. We are going on hikes, visiting a winery and having a general relaxing time. Should be a lot of fun.

That's all for now, I'll try to send an update Tuesday on the progress of the conference.