Shabbat at the Makhtesh

On the seventh day God rested.  And so do we.  Even though we have not been riding for 7 days, we've been working pretty hard.  As we packed the biked away yesterday, I had a fleeting thought of taking a shabbat ride around Mitzpe Ramon.  Today it never crossed my mind.  A little davening, a schvitz (steam AND sauna), a dip in the pool, and a walk up to the makhtesh.  It is a Big Makhtesh! These shots really don't do it justice, but take a look.

The highlight of the day is an opportunity to sit with Arava alumni to hear their stories and ask them questions.  The Israelis talk about environmental activism, and a commitment to peace though engagement with Arabs and Palistinians on a personal level.  They are committed, inspiring young people.  But I am even more inspired by the Arabs from Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza.  While the Israelis are simply going to another place in their home land, these courageous Arabs have left their homes, and in the eyes of many of their family and friends, have gone to the enemy. What drives them?  What moves them to take this kind of risk?  They are serious environmentalists for sure, but that does not explain their journey.  Of course each has a different  story.  They talk about being curious about their neighbors across the border.  Some come from families who were pushed out during the various wars in which Israel established itself or expanded its territorial reach.  Some have families who encouraged them to come, others the opposite. They are not sure that they can have an impact on peace, but each one - Israeli and Arab - seems compelled to be a part of change - however small it may be.  They dream of creating a trickle, then a stream and then a flood of connections, communication and dialogue that will someday bring peace.  Their vehicle is the environment, because that is one thing they all share, regardless of their borders, religions, or politcal leanings.  Even those who are not sure they are making a mark can acknowledge small changes.  Bara from Jordan told of his twin brother who was angry and confused that he came, but who came to know some of his Israeli colleagues when they visited in Jordon and is now ready to consider that this may be a path to peace.  This is not to say that their path is easy.  The students talk about their sessions discussing the conflicts that they experience on both personal and political levels, and it is clear there is a tremendous amount of work to be done.  But to a person they say that after all is said and done, they realize that they still must go back to work, to their dorms, and to their lives together. None is willing to accept the notion of failure, so they must learn to listen, to argue, to agree and to disagree, and then to carry on.  (I suppose it helps that they are isolated in the middle of the friggin' desert!).  So while the desert riding inspires me to pedal on - it is this vision of the possibility of peace - if not in this generation, then perhaps the next - that is the true inspiration.

As the sun begins to set, we gather at the Makhtesh for Havdalah, with songs and dance as we great the new week.

It is a joyful transition.  Tomorrow we ride down into the Makhtesh, and on to Kibbutz Kutera, home of the Arava Institute.

L'hitra-ot

Lester