By Sophie Stillman
I had some reservations going into our weekend at Alon Shvut. I spent some time before we went asking myself and the Rabbis serious questions like, “Will I be safe? By going to a settlement am I making any sort of political acceptance of such communities? By going here am I buying into an ideological perspective that might be harming the peace process?”
Looking back on some of these questions, I realize I had my right to be cautious, but after actually experiencing a weekend in Alon Shvut I understand that my perceptions of this place were completely off. Before visiting, I was so hyper-focused on the ideological aspect of this issue, rather than the personal aspect. I had never thought that the people who live in settlements could be so much like myself.
In fact, one of the people we met in Alon Shvut, Myron Joshua, had even more in common with me than I could have imagined. Myron is also from Minnesota, in fact he’s from the town over from me, but he grew up in North Minneapolis where my grandparents and great-grandparents grew up. When I told him my family name, he exclaimed, “Stillman! There was a Stillman who owned a grocery right around my neighborhood! His first name was Arthur!” When I responded, “That was my great-grandfather,” I think Myron and I were both blown away.
Not only did I think Myron was cool for coming from the best state in the U.S. (although I might be biased), I have so much respect for him because of his involvement in what I see as one of the most important peace organizations in Israel-- Shorashim. Shorashim is an organization of local Palestinians and Israelis, “who have come together to see each other as the partners [they] both need to make changes to end our conflict. Based on mutual recognition of each People’s connection to the Land, [they] are developing understanding and solidarity despite [their] ideological differences.”
Shorashim brings together people on both sides of the conflict to sit together and have a dialogue; to discuss where the conflict is, where it could go, and how peace could be possible. This organization that Myron helps lead is striving to build bridges-- not walls. To say I’m in awe of Myron Joshua and the work being done at Shorashim would be an understatement.
But even more than this, what I learned was that not only are some people living in settlements working for peace and working to improve the lives of Israelis as well as Palestinians, but a lot of them are just like me. I learned that some settlers live where they do not only because don’t want to give up this piece of land, but some are doing so because they believe in the possibility of coexistence and peace beyond the Green Line.
I don’t know what the solution to the “conflict” is. I don’t think anyone really knows what the solution is. However, Myron and the Shorashim organization gave me an entirely new perspective to consider, and even taught me to be more open to perspectives that aren’t my own. For this experience I am truly grateful.
