25 October 2017

Adding another dimension to our pilgrimage we met with teachers, administrators and ninth and tenth grade students from Mar Elias high school.  Mar Elias is a Private Christian School in the heart of Ibillin where about 1200 students attend from Galilee, Jerusalem and surrounding villages. Students and teachers are Muslim, Christian and Druze. Students are immersed in Hebrew, English, Arabic, science and technology.

Shosh, a Jewish teacher of graphic design, 24 years’ teaching at Mar Elias, with student projects on display

Passionate educators provide more than rote teaching, they infuse students with hope and encouragement.  The school’s stellar ranking provides irrefutable evidence that their approach to education is second to none. Mar Elias boasts over 8k graduates many of whom are educators, physicians, lawyers…

Breaking into small groups, we met with ninth and tenth grade students in their English class.  My group spoke proficient English, were polite and curious.  Some of the questions asked by the students were associated with California, my home state. Students asked questions which, I imagine, are on the minds of most kids in the ninth grade.  Following are few of the questions asked:
What’s Michael Jordan like?
Do you ever see Justin Bieber?
What are the most popular foods?
What’s better, the MMA (mixed martial arts) or Wrestling?
I guess kids are about the same everywhere:)

11th grade math students

Next we ventured to the destroyed village of Saffuriya where British author, activist and researcher Jonathan Cook took us on a walking tour.  Throughout the walk Mr. Cook challenged us to reexamine mainstream media sources, ask questions beyond the obvious and reimagine historical Palestine through  the lens of Palestinians, Israelis and Americans.

Today confirmed for me that I will continue my pilgrimage to understand the Palestinian/Israeli/American plight not simply from  an academic perspective rather from the perspective of those affected.  My processing has just began as I try to understand the  irreparable damage done by governments, unfair policy, fake news…much attributed to a Divine.

~ Sharon Andre

PS – Bonus for the day was dinner and a long conversation with Abuna Elias Chacour.

Our group with Abuna