Rachel Sussman from New York (left) and Hillary Rubesin from Philadelphia on campus at Givat Haviva
Rachel Sussman is a New York City teacher and Hillary Rubesin is presently looking for work in her field. She has an M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University and resides in Philadelphia.
Had it not been that both ladies were in Israel in August and had a shared interest in people and institutions dealing with peace and coexistence projects then doubtful their paths would have crossed.
As it happens they both visited Givat Haviva on the same day as guests of the International Department and after a tour around the campus were taken by David Mendelsohn – not by chance Hillary’s cousin – and Lydia Aisenberg (no claim to family ties!) on a tour of the immediate area of Wadi Ara incorporating Harish, the Dotan Valley and the village of Barta’a.
Rachel teaches history at the Manhatten Country School , a small progressive private school that was founded upon principles of multiculturalism and diversity of community, both racially and economically.
Rachel was awarded a grant from the school to explore multicultural education in Israel and during the months of July and August she undertook a one month ulpan at Haifa University followed by visiting folks connected to schools and youth organizations in Israel that aim to empower youth leadership and bridge the cultural, religious, national and linguistic divides between Arab-Israelis and Jewish-Israelis.
“I was hopeful to visit Givat Haviva, to potentially observe and learn more about coexistence programs and speak with staff members,” explained Rachel.
Unfortunately, during August the Givat Haviva coexistence projects such as FACE TO FACE and THROUGH OTHERS EYES are out on summer break but nevertheless Rachel was invited to come, chat and see for herself the campus and tour the immediate environs with the International Department duo - David and Lydia – and hopefully now that the connection has been made we will have further contact with Rachel and the Manhatten Country School.
Hillary Rubesin stayed on in Israel following a specialized 10-day Birthright-Taglit tour entitled “Peace, Pluralism and Social Justice.” During the course of that tour Hillary said that there had been little time given to the subject of Israel’s Arab citizens and was therefore delighted to have had the opportunity to go to Barta’a during her visit Givat Haviva and Wadi Ara.
Hillary received a B.A. in Religious Studies from Wesleyan University in 2005 and earlier this year an M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University.
During a walk around the campus Hillary and Rachel also visited the Givat Haviva Art Center and had a quick chat with director Etti Amram who explained about the very successful THROUGH OTHERS EYES, with the ninth group due to start yet another project in October.
ARTS IN THEIR HEARTS – Art Center and Peace Gallery director Etti Amram and Philadelphian Expressive Arts Therapist, Hillary Rubesin.
“I had no idea that Givat Haviva not only facilitates educational workshops but also use arts techniques to bring together Israeli and Arab youth which I find amazing,” said Hillary after her chat with Etti and viewing the exhibition of ceramics from the much in demand classes held at the center.
After her visit to Givat Haviva and tour of Wadi Ara and Barta’a, Hillary wrote the following.
“Up until this day I had been meeting with co-existence supporters on my Birthright trip, but we had not visited any Arab towns. I was excited to finally have the chance to meet face to face with an Israeli population that I have felt conflicted about for years.
“I guess that actually says it all – here I am an American Reform Jew who has felt conflicted by Israeli-Arab relations since the day I began to understand my rabbi’s sermons as a child. Yet, until today, I had never been face-to-face with Palestinians with Israeli citizenship (I believe that’s the term Lydia and David used). How are we ever to understand or feel conflicted OR resolved about people and/or situations if we have never come face-to-face with them?”
Rachel, David and Hillary discussing herbs in East Barta’a (a post-Oslo designated Area B under the Palestinian Authority) with Rateb Kabaha, a Palestinian Jordanian passport holder who speaks excellent Hebrew after having lived and worked for over 20 years in Tel Aviv in the past. Today he is not allowed over the Green Line (pre-67 border running through the center of Barta’a village
“Lydia told a story about her son in the Israeli army who asked her who she would choose if she were in a situation where she had to protect her son or some of her Palestinian co-workers/co-activists for peace. While I don’t remember Lydia’s exact answer, what struck me more was that face-to-face relationships truly guide my decisions in situations of conflict. Growing up, without knowing ANY Israelis OR Arabs living in Israel, my rabbi’s sermons attempted to lead me to identify with the Jewish people in Israel. MY people. Even then, something didn’t sit right with me. Not because I didn’t want to identify with my people, but rather, because I didn’t KNOW any of my people. I felt a disconnection with BOTH sides, Israeli and Palestinian,” wrote Hillary upon her return to Philadelphia.
“Visiting Givat Haviva helped me to feel more connected to the conflict in general. Even if we don’t come to any solutions about the Israeli-Arab conflict at any point soon, at least this organization is bringing people together – giving a face, a voice, to the other. And that’s a start.
“After all, Lydia had been working at this center for many years and she still remains hopeful. It gave me hope, too. Be it through the arts, talking, or simply visiting the homes of the “other” all of this has helped me realize that I do still believe that some sort of co-existence can be possible. I guess I just needed to see it for myself,” concluded Hillary.
THE SPICE OF LIFE AND BITTER HERBS OF BARTA’A
Photos and text: Lydia Aisenberg
August 2008
