Inklings 2020

NO CASUAL AUDIENCE Izzy Szomstein Israelis face big problems, yet they complain little. They have learned how to cope with their issues by enjoying their land and its beautiful nature. The streets are cluttered with potentially unwanted guests, and the chance of danger can be seen in the fearful eyes of the people. Israel is complex. Why can’t it just be safe? Every person in this small country has gone through a traumatic or life- changing experience. Judaism lives strong here: sometimes, it is evident in the sea of big, black hats and beards that walk the sidewalks on any given day, or it can be seen in the array of long dresses some women are required to wear. People here live life through religion. They rely on spiritual study to guide and teach them what they must know for their lives. The smell of freshly grown produce allows Kibbutzim to shine. Many people in Israel work in a Kibbutz: a communal settlement in which a community of people live, farm, and eat together. If people are looking to gain closure and find community, joining a Kibbutz is a great plan. One man with a white beard and little spots of dirt on his face asked me, “How could anyone not love living amongst all this nature?” He was passionate and had a lot to say about how most would envision a world of sharing everything, including one’s job, meals, and bathrooms. Rest assured, this is not low- class living. My takeaway relates to the nature that is part of this man’s everyday life. Waking up to the cluck of a rooster, working in a forest of green, and farming the food he eats throughout the day, he makes this living sound like he has won the lottery. Boom! Boom! Blaring sirens put people in panic mode. Whether it is due to low funded explosives attached to balloons or to a high-tech rocket, Gaza disturbs Israel’s peace. I visited the city of Sderot where the Gaza Strip is situated, and I heard accounts of people who have experienced rocket attacks firsthand. There are countless tales of people who are at work or who are taking their dogs for a walk when they hear the bursts of sirens that send the whole city into chaos. The saddest part is how accustomed to this the people are. Hearing the threatening call of sirens has become routine, as are full rocket shelters. The dynamic in Israel is not simple. The people will always believe in their country, and, no matter how tragic the situation may look, nature sets this country apart. The beautiful farmlands and the variety of people on the streets selling goods in the open markets make this country unique, and I cannot be a casual audience.