We began the day at Joan Embery's ranch. This is an ecologic ranch keeping the nature and the environment around in its best situation. In our first activity we got agricultural tools and some seeds from the natural plants and we had to put its in the ground randomly and to cover its with the tools. So when the rain will come part of the seeds will sprout to plants that this is their natural place to grow (house spread). The plants will make seeds by themselves so the view of that area will change to its natural view. Afterward we walked to the ranch. There, some volunteers treat animals that were found in misery or stressful situations or found by man who did not know what to do with them.
In that ranch Beth Jacobs volunteered so she showed us with the others, the diversity of animals that stay in the ranch: snakes, porcupines , local animals like woodchucks to parrots and cheetah with an angry glance. At lunch time I walked around in the ranch area and I sawhow this phenomena of allowing the simple and beautiful things and survive . The web site of the ranch is: http://www.joanembery.com/index.php
At midday we arrived at the Islamic center of San Diego. The Islamic teenagers guided us in the building: the Mosque, the school, the library, and then we gathered and they answered our questions, and afterward sheikh Taha explained to us again the principles of Islam . As I understood them, hearing and doing not arguing. He spoke about the personal jihad that every Muslim has to ask himself if he behave like real good muslin, if he control himself today, if he contribute enough to his society today, the personality, the quiet and the wisdom of sheikh Taha impressed me and all the teenagers very much. He is a real leader.
In the afternoon we reached the UJF – United Jewish Federation, There we listened to a very interesting panel about "leadership within minorities" (Jewish, homosexuals, lesbians, African-Americans, rich people). They spoke about trustworthiness, public service, sensibility, ability to forget special ideas for the sake of the public, and about leadership in the digital era. Most of our teenagers listened carefully to the speakers, some of them were tired and it was difficult to them to take part in the conversation. Scott H. Silverman one of the panel participant and Gracie father is a pioneer and idea man, motivated to make a difference. He sent us a report about his project : second chance - http://www.sdnews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/08/30/48b900e0c7aa8
at evening we returned to the JCC and we heard another story from a man that somebody murdered his only son without reason. His name is Azim Khamisa and the website is http://www.azimkhamisa.com/
He spoke about his and his family's changeover. How they changeed revenge feelings with mercy, understanding the other feelings, he told us about his connection with his son's murderer. His story was fascinating and inspired a lot of thinking.
I slept in a sleeping bag in the JCC library room and there I thought about these questions:
A. We were exposed to a lot of examples of leaders during this day: natural leadership, leadership that grow from sorrow, religion leadership, leadership to save the world, leadership of minorities, I thought really changes a man to be leader? All the peoples we met today were sincere, and dealt with subjects that were really important to them.
B. I love the idea to sow in nature again, especially in places that men destroyed. Where can we do it in Israel? Is the Negev is a good place to that idea?
C. Why doesn't the Islam succeed to make people all over the world know, that the Islam is very human considerate, why don't people know about the personal jihad on purpose to adapt it? There is self restrain in Judaism and Christianity .
D. Activities for community. Can you, the reader, give your personal example?
E. The ability to turn a heavy personal tragedy into personal growth yours and your enemy's? is there something more noble than that?
For me it was one of the most fascinating days in 2008 JITLI trip
SOME VIDEOS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0IGtxZ6NpI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5raFA3dK4l4&feature=user
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMJahdCgBVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brl1NpIbwBY&feature=user
enjoy
I am waiting for your comments
ITZIK
No comments:
Post a Comment