We started the day with a lecture and discussion on the complexities of Israeli society and culture with Professor Paul Liptz.  One hour for the topic is certainly not nearly enough, but it was enough to make very clear–living here means simultaneously living in one of the measurably happiest counties in the world and also one of the most stressful.  On the way to the next site to learn about the founding of Israel and the War of Independence, our awesome ARZA WORLD tour guide, Lana Zilberman read us  Natan Alterman’s poem, The Silver Platter. The famous poem was inspired by Chaim Weizmann, the first President of Israel who commented on the 1947 UN Partition plan;  “No state is ever handed on a silver platter.”

At the end of a long day of touring the Palmach museum, Cessaria, Haifa Bahai Garden’s, meeting with Paul Liptz and having a home hospitality lunch and learn with a member of the Druze Israeli community, I know that we too are carrying  silver platters tarnished with the hopes, dreams, and visions of those who came before us.  I hope we are worthy. And I hope that we can change the course of history, one peaceful act at a time.