As a transfer student, I was looking forward to joining the OSU community this past summer. I spent the last academic year in Israel studying Hebrew and Middle East politics. One of my favorite experiences was visiting the Arava Institute, an educational institution on a kibbutz in the Negev, where people from around the world participate in environmental studies in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and transboundary water management. Seeing such work occur among Jordanians, Palestinians, and Israelis on such a salient issue there in the desert gave me hope for what can be accomplished.

I loved the immersive experience, meeting Israelis, Palestinians, Druze, Bedouins, and people from countries all over the world, for whom this little piece of land - the approximate size of New Jersey - is profoundly significant. I interned as an international coordinator with CoPro, an Israeli based documentary production and marketing firm which has helped produce countless stories; from the acclaimed Oslo Diaries to 21 Days Inside, CoPro’s partnerships highlight the stories of the people of the holy land, their distinct histories and tribulations. Not only did this internship give me the unique opportunity to network with producers and directors both in Israel and abroad while organizing an international film festival (which would have been hosted in Tel Aviv in May if not for Covid), but I was able to give feedback on future productions and have a voice at the company.

In Israel, I reconnected with estranged cousins who introduced me to nearly a hundred family members I never knew I had; people who became a true family away from home, inviting me over for Shabbat dinners nearly every Friday night. I was able to experience and practice my Judaism in ways I’d never been exposed to in America, and learned about issues like the Israeli - Palestian conflict from people with lived experiences as well as from pioneers spearheading change such as youth involved with Darkenu, Zimam and the OneVoice Movement. Non- partisan movements for civil rights like these organizations are mobilizing and organizing to influence public policy across the land.

Binational communities like the Oasis of Peace serve as a model of equality for the country and continue to challenge the persisting regional conflict, while many of its members work in justice and reconciliation projects. Communities across the country are taking after this pioneer community by teaching coexistence early.  I had the privilege to work in one of these facilities, a bilingual daycare in the heart of Jerusalem where activities are taught in Hebrew, Arabic, English, and sometimes even French and Mandarin. Israel really is a nation with an emotional and historical connection for so many disparate groups, and my year living there engaged me in a new depth of knowledge of these connections.

With the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Israeli government took a hard line, quickly enacting policies and procedures including mandatory masking in public and a shelter-in-place order that was seriously enforced. I began working from home and our film festival was postponed. I spent my first Passover in Israel quarantining with my roommates in our Tel Aviv apartment, which was an immeasurable experience. For Jews, a key concept of Passover is remembering our collective exodus from the land of Jerusalem, hoping one day to return, and despite our inability to do so due to the lockdown, it was a memorable experience to make do with our limited resources and spend our holiday together in the holy land.

One of the consequences of Covid was the cancellation of flights home. My return ticket changed multiple times, so I eventually opted to spend the summer in Tel Aviv and take my first OSU classes online. This was the best and worst of both worlds; the opening up of the country after the number of Covid cases reached an acceptable rate for the government, while simultaneously immersing myself in online academics.  The stress of academics without the sociability of a college campus, especially with a 7 hour time difference, was a bit confusing to manage at first. Coming to Columbus in August, I didn’t know what to expect. I was faced with culture shock at the amount of people who didn’t mask or social distance, and the politicization of following the recommendations of top scientists and healthcare workers. I was fortunate to have a couple of my classes in person this fall semester and the welcoming guidance of Karlene Foster from the International Studies department in guiding me through a smooth transition to OSU. I am excited for what OSU holds in store for me as a new student and I’m looking forward to integrating some of my international experiences into my education at OSU!