When Will We Grow Up?

Do you know what I want more than anything? World Peace. Not the kind of peace that beauty pageant contestants say. Not the kind of peace that exists when Nations are not at war with each other. Not the hippie two fingered salute of non-action. I want an active Peace. A bold, loud, daring peace. I want brother helping brother, man helping man. The type of peace where hunger and starvation do not exist because we, humanity will not allow it. I want the type of peace where anger and discomfort, hate and evil become eradicated from the very fabric of what it means to be human. These need to be replaced. Someday, if this experiment that is humanity succeeds, they will be. Curiosity will replace anger, Comfort will consume discomfort. Love will destroy hatred. And Good will triumph over evil.

Today, the world operates on fabricated principles of necessity. We, The People are maintained by Nations. Our actions are controlled by these Nations, by our Culture, and by our unique Individualities. Our systems maintain presence through the form of currency and might. This is the Best solution for mankind?

Our energy is created through non renewable resources. Why? Can we not truly discover a better way?

People become content with the every-day aspect of their lives and cease learning. Why? Have they lost passion?

People literally starve to death. Why? Do we not have the resources and capability to feed the world? We do.

Understand that today we (the fortunate souls in America and like-modeled Countries) are free. This is, truly remarkable. It is a HUGE step forward in the evolution of the mindset of humanity. For each person to have the opportunity to reach their full potential is unprecedented. But do not become complacent. Yearn for more. Strive for more. Each moment is an opportunity, each opportunity a gift.

I know the path to Active Peace, though it cannot be attained in our lifetime. The answer is actually, very simple. Be Good. Pursue goodness and righteousness, and do it actively. Each moment. Each opportunity. Destroy Evil. Do not destroy evil with hatred, but hate each and every evil act. Actively seek out evil, and blot it out. Treat your fellow humanity with humanity. Be passionate about learning. Learn about the World around you, and learn about Yourself. Each encounter is an opportunity to learn. Teach these values to your children and make sure they teach these values to their children. And have hope. Hope that someday humanity will exist as more than the sum of its parts. Where we can explore the universe that exists both in the stars and the universe that exists in every human being.

That is what I yearn for. That is what I strive for. That is the future that I live for and that I will continue to pursue.

Two Weeks In

I realize that it's been too long since my last post, but honestly it's hard for me to decide what to write about.

Stream of consciousness?

The past two weeks have definitely not been real life. First of all, I'm back in Israel. It's awesome! People speak Hebrew, I buy food in The Shuk, I ride the bus, and the Humus is delicious. Secondly, life is like a vacation. I'm not working, almost all my time is free time. I've been walking everywhere. I've explored like half of Jerusalem and most of Tel Aviv. Lastly, I've been reconnecting with friends who in some cases I haven't seen in 6 years! These are good people, happy people. People that pick up our friendships right where we left them.

The last two weeks have had NO structure. I started my army paperwork, but still have a number of things I need to complete. My first day I walked to the Western Wall, very emotional. I am planning on having Shabbat services there tonight.

My friends here are all very different from when I last knew them, but they are also the same. Political views change, Religious views change, Hebrew improves, but what makes each person unique is definitely there.

Now that I've had some time to settle in and I'm not going crazy trying to see everyone I've created a routine that I can start next week to start regulating my time here and focus on the goal at hand, joining the army. December 15th. Everyone I know who has been through the army each took something out of their experience, but most did not enjoy their time and all have said that it is very hard. I hear them, but I am confident. Confident in myself and in my decision. I know I am making the right choice.

For those of you who have not had this conversation with me, here's why I am joining the Israeli army:

Israel exists. The realities of Israel being in existence necessitate the need for an army to defend itself. Israel is the Jewish Homeland. If I want my future children and their children to have the opportunity to experience and/or live in Israel, then I have to do my part to help defend it. There are, of course other factors I considered, but that is the core of the reason for my return to Israel.

I definitely miss my family, friends, dog and car back home... but I am happy here. Over the past couple of years, I definitely felt as if something was missing and over the past two weeks that emptiness has started to fill.

Lastly, I know my mom is probably having a hard time with her two boys away from home. I love you mom. Thank you for being supportive of me and my decision. I am doing well, I will continue to do well, and you will see me again.

Peace.

My Heart is in the East

Israel. For over two thousand years we have yearned to have a homeland, to be a free people in a free nation. To uphold the covenant and return to The Promised Land; to pray at The Western Wall. That place is finally a reality. Israel today exists as a free, democratic Jewish nation. The people that live here are incredibly diverse. The land of Israel contains the vast majority of the history for the Jewish people: it is here that God promised Abraham, here that David built his kingdom, here that Israel has defended itself and prospered for the last 62 years. I first experienced Israel in 2004, on a semester program called EIE with an unbelievable group of quality kids and teachers, and since I set foot on this holy land I knew that a part of me will always belong here.

Since my return I have been on many adventures (which I will post about very soon), but it is the intangibles that have touched me the most. When advocating for Israel in America, most will ask why some get so passionate, and look for an explanation as to why Israel is special. The answer usually consists of the ideology behind the modern country and the Jewish people, and an explanation of the realities of the situation. This answer, however does not do the country justice. I feel that to truly "get" Israel and to truly understand why this place is so special, one must actually experience this land for themselves. The wonder that is Israel cannot be taught, it can only be learned. One must understand the history, and then become part of it. The wonder of Israel exists because Israel itself exists.

My friend Avi told me a few nights ago (in a very British accent): "I wasn't concerned about you when you left IDC and Herzeliya 4 years ago. I knew you had 'the bug, the itch', you understood. I knew you would return. Welcome Home." As I walked back to my apartment from that conversation I saw a family across the street in a beautiful Jerusalem park. I could just barely hear the children, who were playing on the merry-go-round. They were laughing... in Hebrew. I couldn't contain my smile as I realized that it was so true, I do have the bug... and I do feel Home.