Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Who What When?
Phew! I think we can all agree at this point that Jerusalem has a long, complicated, confusing, multifaceted history. But boy oh boy am I exhausted from reading this book. So much happens! I kind of feel like this poor soul:
I don't really feel like discussing specific things from the reading- especially since I only got about half-way through it. So I decided to google something: "Jerusalem complicated." I'm not sure exactly what I thought I was going to get out of this, but you never know. The first result was an article from al-Monitor about the complication of electricity in Jerusalem. Haha. Naw, not really what I had in mind. But the second entry! Chuh-ching! A wikipedia entry on "Jerusalem Syndrome." Any of you ever heard of this!? Check it out now! Apparently it's a mental condition that strikes some Jewish, Muslim, and Christian visitors to Jerusalem. It puts them in a delusional state for a small period of time, which regresses (in most cases) after a couple of days or a week. In some extreme cases, people believe they are divine or that they themselves are prophets. There are some who even believe this could be a security issue. Michael Moore did a little piece about it. The Simpsons even did a show on it. Many books have been written on it. It's very interesting - not because it's necessarily "true" in a medical sense (there are many people who think it's not), but because it shows clearly the spiritual and religious power that has accumulated over millenia in Jerusalem. Regardless of what people are labeling it, these religious reactions are devotions of faith. And, as is clear from Armstrong's book, there is no doubt that this sort of devotion is not a new phenomena. I am very tempted to do a project on this!
I don't really feel like discussing specific things from the reading- especially since I only got about half-way through it. So I decided to google something: "Jerusalem complicated." I'm not sure exactly what I thought I was going to get out of this, but you never know. The first result was an article from al-Monitor about the complication of electricity in Jerusalem. Haha. Naw, not really what I had in mind. But the second entry! Chuh-ching! A wikipedia entry on "Jerusalem Syndrome." Any of you ever heard of this!? Check it out now! Apparently it's a mental condition that strikes some Jewish, Muslim, and Christian visitors to Jerusalem. It puts them in a delusional state for a small period of time, which regresses (in most cases) after a couple of days or a week. In some extreme cases, people believe they are divine or that they themselves are prophets. There are some who even believe this could be a security issue. Michael Moore did a little piece about it. The Simpsons even did a show on it. Many books have been written on it. It's very interesting - not because it's necessarily "true" in a medical sense (there are many people who think it's not), but because it shows clearly the spiritual and religious power that has accumulated over millenia in Jerusalem. Regardless of what people are labeling it, these religious reactions are devotions of faith. And, as is clear from Armstrong's book, there is no doubt that this sort of devotion is not a new phenomena. I am very tempted to do a project on this!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Ahhhh-ha. / Journal Post 2
Ever since I started researching this topic a month or so ago, I have been waiting for an aha moment. But instead, my journey has been one big fat "ahhhhhhh-ha!" - an aggravated yelp followed by an ironic chuckle.
Bafflement is by no means a foreign state for me. But the Israeli/Palestinian conflict engenders a bewilderment of another order.
Somewhere amongst those scattered puzzle pieces lies an image of serenity, of completeness. Amongst the tumult of Israel/Palestine exists in some combination of acts, phrases, handshakes, smiles, head nods, and gum swaps a puzzled peace. Just as the conflict twists our frowns into swirls of perplexity, its peace will bring quivering smiles and shy dimples. Even the image of a complete puzzle preserves the memory of a once-split world.
Babbling nonsense aside, I don't know what the solution to this problem is. I can't pretend to know what it is. But I have no doubt that one day a good set of circumstances led by some great people will present itself and we'll grab hold. I'm sure it'll look something like this. Then, after a considerably nice period of time, I have no doubt, an unfortunate set of circumstances led by some not-so-great people will present itself and we'll let go. It'll look like this. Then one day another good set of circumstances led by another group of great people will present itself and we'll grab hold again. 'Tis life.
Here are some nice words from Steve Earle in his song "Jerusalem."
"That I believe that one fine day all the children of Abraham
Will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem
Well maybe I'm only dreamin' and maybe I'm just a fool
But I don't remember learnin' how to hate in Sunday school
But somewhere along the way I strayed and I never looked back again
But I still find some comfort now and then"
Bafflement is by no means a foreign state for me. But the Israeli/Palestinian conflict engenders a bewilderment of another order.
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| Source |
Somewhere amongst those scattered puzzle pieces lies an image of serenity, of completeness. Amongst the tumult of Israel/Palestine exists in some combination of acts, phrases, handshakes, smiles, head nods, and gum swaps a puzzled peace. Just as the conflict twists our frowns into swirls of perplexity, its peace will bring quivering smiles and shy dimples. Even the image of a complete puzzle preserves the memory of a once-split world.
Babbling nonsense aside, I don't know what the solution to this problem is. I can't pretend to know what it is. But I have no doubt that one day a good set of circumstances led by some great people will present itself and we'll grab hold. I'm sure it'll look something like this. Then, after a considerably nice period of time, I have no doubt, an unfortunate set of circumstances led by some not-so-great people will present itself and we'll let go. It'll look like this. Then one day another good set of circumstances led by another group of great people will present itself and we'll grab hold again. 'Tis life.
Here are some nice words from Steve Earle in his song "Jerusalem."
"That I believe that one fine day all the children of Abraham
Will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem
Well maybe I'm only dreamin' and maybe I'm just a fool
But I don't remember learnin' how to hate in Sunday school
But somewhere along the way I strayed and I never looked back again
But I still find some comfort now and then"
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
A sacred ground. / Reading Response 3
Karen Armstrong presents to us the history of Jerusalem, and that of the greater Canaan, in an engaging, provoking narrative. Equally informative and interesting, she reveals, in reliable prose, the timeless human dependence on the sacred, the symbolic, and the mythological.
In her introduction, Armstrong introduces these three recurring themes (symbols, the sacred, and myth). She insists that human beings in the ancient world attempted to make sense of the world through the sacred, attempted to "find healing in the experience of the sacred." The creation of myth was the "ancient form of psychology," engaging in the mysterious and unknown. And a symbol had the "power of introducing worshipers to the sacred realm."
It was interesting to read about how the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism did not come about in a divinely natural way- that it's importance to David lied in Jerusalem's strategic location in regards to its natural protective barriers and the fluid connection of David's Land of Judah to the Land of Israel in the north. These are things I never knew about the beginnings of my own religion. David's acceptance and embrace of the Jebusites is interesting, especially in respect to his unequal treatment of Israel. Who are the direct descendants of the Jebusites?
Also intriguing to me is the fact that, in the days of David and Solomon all the way to Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the first temple, Judaism (or the origins of Judaism) was not necessarily a monotheistic religion. Lesser gods were acknowledged. Even more interesting is Armstrong's assertion that Yahweh was not particularly disturbed by this. This is huge and confusing. I've always been under the impression that, since the time of Abraham, there has always been one god in the eyes of the Jews. It become clear, to me, through Armstrong's historical account that religion must often change in order to adhere to the "circumstances of the people."
In these first few chapters I noticed the oft recurring mention of "justice" - "welfare of the people," "integrity of tenure," and "honor and respect." When Armstrong mentions these words, she connects them with the sacred and the holy. Justice was a part of attaining a successful land. In light of today, I fear that perhaps this notion has been lost, forgotten, or (hopefully not so) merely ignored. At the end of her introduction, Armstrong admits, "some of the worst atrocities have occurred when people have put the purity of Jerusalem and the desire to gain access to its great sanctity before the quest for justice and charity." How true these words are and how evident that, from the very beginning of its place in history, Jerusalem's keepers have often been guilty of putting faith before justice - rather than embracing the two in peaceful unison.
In her introduction, Armstrong introduces these three recurring themes (symbols, the sacred, and myth). She insists that human beings in the ancient world attempted to make sense of the world through the sacred, attempted to "find healing in the experience of the sacred." The creation of myth was the "ancient form of psychology," engaging in the mysterious and unknown. And a symbol had the "power of introducing worshipers to the sacred realm."
It was interesting to read about how the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism did not come about in a divinely natural way- that it's importance to David lied in Jerusalem's strategic location in regards to its natural protective barriers and the fluid connection of David's Land of Judah to the Land of Israel in the north. These are things I never knew about the beginnings of my own religion. David's acceptance and embrace of the Jebusites is interesting, especially in respect to his unequal treatment of Israel. Who are the direct descendants of the Jebusites?
Also intriguing to me is the fact that, in the days of David and Solomon all the way to Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the first temple, Judaism (or the origins of Judaism) was not necessarily a monotheistic religion. Lesser gods were acknowledged. Even more interesting is Armstrong's assertion that Yahweh was not particularly disturbed by this. This is huge and confusing. I've always been under the impression that, since the time of Abraham, there has always been one god in the eyes of the Jews. It become clear, to me, through Armstrong's historical account that religion must often change in order to adhere to the "circumstances of the people."
In these first few chapters I noticed the oft recurring mention of "justice" - "welfare of the people," "integrity of tenure," and "honor and respect." When Armstrong mentions these words, she connects them with the sacred and the holy. Justice was a part of attaining a successful land. In light of today, I fear that perhaps this notion has been lost, forgotten, or (hopefully not so) merely ignored. At the end of her introduction, Armstrong admits, "some of the worst atrocities have occurred when people have put the purity of Jerusalem and the desire to gain access to its great sanctity before the quest for justice and charity." How true these words are and how evident that, from the very beginning of its place in history, Jerusalem's keepers have often been guilty of putting faith before justice - rather than embracing the two in peaceful unison.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I wonder who read my post / Journal Response 1
When I walk in the room I think, "I wonder who read my post." Do any of you guys do that? It's an odd thing to think about.
I love putting up posts in a public display of a reading response (as opposed to just handing it to my teacher) and as a way of sharing my thoughts and feelings. I enjoy it! And it gives people that may not get a chance in class to express their opinions a chance to do so. (Not to mention that it's always nice to practice the skill of writing.) The posts are an exercise of communication through alternative outlets and spheres and cybers and such - an important element of the course. That being said, I think it would be interesting if the OSU students commented on our blogs and we commented on theirs. We (IU students) see each other twice a week and we will be able to talk to each other face-to-face, respond to each others' posts verbally if we want to, and get to know each other in general. I think it would really bring home the goal of the course if we were required to communicate directly and personally with OSU students. It would give us a better connection with those "people on the other side of the camera" and put us all in a circle of dialogue- as opposed to two separate circles (or rectangles). That's not to say that we wouldn't respond to our classmates blogs - just that it not be required. I'm game either way. It's just something to think about.
I am really excited about this course. Dr. H's enthusiasm for the subject sets a nice vibe. And you guys all seem like pretty open, charming people. I respect and appreciate how this course challenges us to put ourselves out there. That's not always easy to do- especially in a setting full of people you barely know. It challenges us to think about a topic immersed in emotion, violence, politics, pain, love, hate and life. What more can you ask for?!
I like how some of our fellow classmates have taken note of a striking resemblance between the way our class seems to take shape and Jerusalem herself. Amen to that.
I love putting up posts in a public display of a reading response (as opposed to just handing it to my teacher) and as a way of sharing my thoughts and feelings. I enjoy it! And it gives people that may not get a chance in class to express their opinions a chance to do so. (Not to mention that it's always nice to practice the skill of writing.) The posts are an exercise of communication through alternative outlets and spheres and cybers and such - an important element of the course. That being said, I think it would be interesting if the OSU students commented on our blogs and we commented on theirs. We (IU students) see each other twice a week and we will be able to talk to each other face-to-face, respond to each others' posts verbally if we want to, and get to know each other in general. I think it would really bring home the goal of the course if we were required to communicate directly and personally with OSU students. It would give us a better connection with those "people on the other side of the camera" and put us all in a circle of dialogue- as opposed to two separate circles (or rectangles). That's not to say that we wouldn't respond to our classmates blogs - just that it not be required. I'm game either way. It's just something to think about.
I am really excited about this course. Dr. H's enthusiasm for the subject sets a nice vibe. And you guys all seem like pretty open, charming people. I respect and appreciate how this course challenges us to put ourselves out there. That's not always easy to do- especially in a setting full of people you barely know. It challenges us to think about a topic immersed in emotion, violence, politics, pain, love, hate and life. What more can you ask for?!
I like how some of our fellow classmates have taken note of a striking resemblance between the way our class seems to take shape and Jerusalem herself. Amen to that.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Project Thoughts
I am most interested in how the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is portrayed through the media- specifically, through the internet. There is an exhaustive amount of information online (correct, incorrect, accurate, inaccurate) that reflects a number of viewpoints, interests, and peoples. I think this can be both helpful and dangerous. On the one hand, and specially for this topic, the internet creates a scattered narrative that reveals, if measured and analyzed methodically, a real debate with real people fighting for real causes. On the other hand, it can become a venue through which people seek out an abundance of information that reiterates, justifies, and defends their side. I don't exactly know what I would want to do with this idea, but I am interested in it nonetheless.
I recently came across Palestinian hip hop and spent a while looking into it. It's fascinating! It started in the early-mid nineties in response to world-renown American artists Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. From its beginnings and up until today, the themes of Palestinian hip hop have been the occupation, refugees, inequality in Israel, and other social/political issues - it has not developed into the mainstream, American, modern hip hop. There is a lot out there, and some of the stuff is very good. Artists such as DAM and Shadia Mansour are a couple of the biggest names. This could be a really cool topic, so if anyone's interested let me know.
Check this out.
Oftentimes, Palestinian artists collaborate with Israeli's to make tracks about peace and peaceful coexistence. This could be a good topic too- Israeli/Palestinian music collaborations.
And check this out.
I'd be willing to work in any group, to be honest. It's all interesting and I wouldn't mind learning more about each of the things you guys are interested in.
I recently came across Palestinian hip hop and spent a while looking into it. It's fascinating! It started in the early-mid nineties in response to world-renown American artists Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. From its beginnings and up until today, the themes of Palestinian hip hop have been the occupation, refugees, inequality in Israel, and other social/political issues - it has not developed into the mainstream, American, modern hip hop. There is a lot out there, and some of the stuff is very good. Artists such as DAM and Shadia Mansour are a couple of the biggest names. This could be a really cool topic, so if anyone's interested let me know.
Check this out.
Oftentimes, Palestinian artists collaborate with Israeli's to make tracks about peace and peaceful coexistence. This could be a good topic too- Israeli/Palestinian music collaborations.
And check this out.
I'd be willing to work in any group, to be honest. It's all interesting and I wouldn't mind learning more about each of the things you guys are interested in.
What year is it? / Reading Response 2
2012 CE? 1434 AH? Or 5773? How confusing this must have been for the citizens of Jerusalem for the past 3000 years. Celebrating New Years, I am sure, could not have been easy.
All three articles for this week reveal the history of a land burdened with conquest after conquest, ransack after ransack, worship after worship. The resilience of Jerusalem reflects the resilience of those who have, for millennia, claimed the land as their own.
As I was reading these articles, I couldn't help but think that watching the layout of Jerusalem unfold in fast-motion would be akin to watching an equalizer (example here). Just as the rhythm and beat of music dictates the movement and construction of a song, so too does conqueror (and tectonic plates) dictate the landscape of Jerusalem. A stretched simile aside, Jerusalem's past, as Mick Dumper points out, has had a life of its own. It "appeared to breathe in and out as the population swelled and contracted." Its life was of such diverse conditions, Dumper explains, that at one point "its military value was insignificant enough that Napoleon ignored the city as he swept north from Egypt." Dumper also makes a point to discuss how unyielding the city of Jerusalem is - that is, in terms of producing or harvesting any natural resources- and how scarce water supply has been in the past. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't most ancient civilizations lie in proximity to water and other natural resources? Jerusalem is, and always has been, a place of anomaly and surprise. And I am far, far, far from understanding it.
It was interesting to read an article by Rashid Khalidi. I have come across him before and knew beforehand that he is a supporter of the Palestinian narrative- "Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies" and editor of Journal of Palestine Studies. I am studying the development and expansion of Islam in another course, so Khalidi's (and Rubin's) section on Islam's place in Jerusalem was informative complementary information. I found Khalidi's short discussion at the beginning of his article on Jerusalem's history and how much of it isn't "historically verifiable." I hope this becomes more apparent as we learn more about the city - that some of what people claim about this place doesn't have significance. I'm not sure why I "hope" this. I am anxious to read our Jerusalem book. I want to read about the city's changes in a little more detail, rather than reading a few sentences that seek to explain three-hundered years. But I am glad that I got a snapshot of pillage and war and conquer and building and tearing down.
Provided what we know about the turbulent, transient history of Jerusalem, I can't help but question what will happen there next. What do you think?
All three articles for this week reveal the history of a land burdened with conquest after conquest, ransack after ransack, worship after worship. The resilience of Jerusalem reflects the resilience of those who have, for millennia, claimed the land as their own.
As I was reading these articles, I couldn't help but think that watching the layout of Jerusalem unfold in fast-motion would be akin to watching an equalizer (example here). Just as the rhythm and beat of music dictates the movement and construction of a song, so too does conqueror (and tectonic plates) dictate the landscape of Jerusalem. A stretched simile aside, Jerusalem's past, as Mick Dumper points out, has had a life of its own. It "appeared to breathe in and out as the population swelled and contracted." Its life was of such diverse conditions, Dumper explains, that at one point "its military value was insignificant enough that Napoleon ignored the city as he swept north from Egypt." Dumper also makes a point to discuss how unyielding the city of Jerusalem is - that is, in terms of producing or harvesting any natural resources- and how scarce water supply has been in the past. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't most ancient civilizations lie in proximity to water and other natural resources? Jerusalem is, and always has been, a place of anomaly and surprise. And I am far, far, far from understanding it.
It was interesting to read an article by Rashid Khalidi. I have come across him before and knew beforehand that he is a supporter of the Palestinian narrative- "Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies" and editor of Journal of Palestine Studies. I am studying the development and expansion of Islam in another course, so Khalidi's (and Rubin's) section on Islam's place in Jerusalem was informative complementary information. I found Khalidi's short discussion at the beginning of his article on Jerusalem's history and how much of it isn't "historically verifiable." I hope this becomes more apparent as we learn more about the city - that some of what people claim about this place doesn't have significance. I'm not sure why I "hope" this. I am anxious to read our Jerusalem book. I want to read about the city's changes in a little more detail, rather than reading a few sentences that seek to explain three-hundered years. But I am glad that I got a snapshot of pillage and war and conquer and building and tearing down.
Provided what we know about the turbulent, transient history of Jerusalem, I can't help but question what will happen there next. What do you think?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What a project.
It's a shame the Jerusalem Project never made it to the mall. The picture of "Jerusalem, Yerushalyim, and Al-Quds" would have been good for America to see and for Jerusalem to share. Most Americans have heard of Jerusalem and, either through a limited or extensive exposure, have an image in their head of what Jerusalem is. The exhibition would have been a refreshing and informative display of a culture that has never really been able to all-inclusively reveal itself to the American mind. Not that I know of, at least.
On the other hand, I wonder if displaying Jerusalem as it is could have had its setbacks. While its ability to depict a near reality to its current state is important for an accurate image, and while the collaboration between multiple peoples is heroic and exemplary, The Jerusalem Project could have politically and/or culturally reaffirmed and even eternalized an image of the divided city and the conditions therein. I don't claim to know much about the contrasting living conditions of the citizens of West Jerusalem and East Jerusalem but only that perhaps this could have had some negative effects. With caution, I support the project.
Regardless of the theoretical accomplishments and repercussions of such an exhibition, I am honored to now be part of the extension of the Jerusalem Project. It is the the time, energy, and heart put into it through the years that motivates me to do the same.
On the other hand, I wonder if displaying Jerusalem as it is could have had its setbacks. While its ability to depict a near reality to its current state is important for an accurate image, and while the collaboration between multiple peoples is heroic and exemplary, The Jerusalem Project could have politically and/or culturally reaffirmed and even eternalized an image of the divided city and the conditions therein. I don't claim to know much about the contrasting living conditions of the citizens of West Jerusalem and East Jerusalem but only that perhaps this could have had some negative effects. With caution, I support the project.
Regardless of the theoretical accomplishments and repercussions of such an exhibition, I am honored to now be part of the extension of the Jerusalem Project. It is the the time, energy, and heart put into it through the years that motivates me to do the same.
It was nice to hear the Israeli, Palestinian, and American perspectives regarding the experiences of displaying the most accurate picture of Jerusalem. One thing in particular stood out to me. In "Researching East Jerusalem," Suad Amiry shares with us an interesting insight relayed to her by one of her Palestinian team members, Albert Aghazarian. Albert says, "Jerusalem is a city where people are carrying mirrors... It is a city of many realities: every individual or community has a mirror of history, of cultural realities." In other words, for all the different peoples in this disputed territory, Jerusalem is a reflection of their world. And each world, to those who live in it, is real. Can there be multiple truths? Can multiple claims to space be valid at the same time? As Albert goes on to say, there are some who "seek to marginalize all the other mirrors except for itself." This raises questions in my head such as: Why is it so hard to accept someone else's truth? And even harder to go beyond that and respect their truth? And in the end why is it that recognition of a superior truth from another people, of all things, is most prized?
While I eat this quinoa.
Greetings. Welcome to my blog. My name is Jacob Aaron Mark (JAM). I go by Jacob. I'm the guy with the glasses and the beard- one of them maybe. I am a Jew. I am a Sophomore from Indianapolis, IN. This is my first semester in Bloomington, and I'm really excited to be here! Last year I attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. I had a great experience there, but after a year I was ready to make a change. I took last semester off to work for the Utah Conservation Corps (link to site if curious). This too was a wonderfully enriching, transformative experience. I am glad to be back in the classroom again, although we'll see where my head is in two weeks!
Hmmm. A little about me. The only place outside of the country I have been to is France. If you ever go there, go to the south. It's beautiful - people and landscape. I am a very curious person, so you will notice that I ask more questions than I answer- or maybe it's vice verca. Who knows? There are some settings where I talk a lot and others where I don't, some where I'm shy and some where I'm outgoing. You never really know. I am a consistently inconsistent person. I am known to take very random details out of a story; I place value on things with seemingly no importance. My opinion changes often and rarely - easily convincing and easily convinced. I really like cats and dogs. Any kind of pit bull, really. I like walking- sometimes on beaches, but I don't like salt water. Why do people like salt water? It's water with salt in it. Ughh. You might as well fill a bath with salt in it! And who would do that?
I am excited to be in this class. It was only recently that I allowed myself to be open and exposed to the complexity of Israel/Palestine. There exists many people with many needs, and for peaceful coexistence to occur nothing can be ignored. This is a topic that needs to have a dialogue, and I hope we find a collective way to bring our discussions beyond this class - through forums, panels, debates, speakers, etc - regardless of what our individual stances are. Our interests and enthusiasms can spark fires of knowledge, interest, and curiosity for the multiple truths that exist side by side.
I look forward to learning about you guys and sharing with you myself along the way.
Hmmm. A little about me. The only place outside of the country I have been to is France. If you ever go there, go to the south. It's beautiful - people and landscape. I am a very curious person, so you will notice that I ask more questions than I answer- or maybe it's vice verca. Who knows? There are some settings where I talk a lot and others where I don't, some where I'm shy and some where I'm outgoing. You never really know. I am a consistently inconsistent person. I am known to take very random details out of a story; I place value on things with seemingly no importance. My opinion changes often and rarely - easily convincing and easily convinced. I really like cats and dogs. Any kind of pit bull, really. I like walking- sometimes on beaches, but I don't like salt water. Why do people like salt water? It's water with salt in it. Ughh. You might as well fill a bath with salt in it! And who would do that?
I am excited to be in this class. It was only recently that I allowed myself to be open and exposed to the complexity of Israel/Palestine. There exists many people with many needs, and for peaceful coexistence to occur nothing can be ignored. This is a topic that needs to have a dialogue, and I hope we find a collective way to bring our discussions beyond this class - through forums, panels, debates, speakers, etc - regardless of what our individual stances are. Our interests and enthusiasms can spark fires of knowledge, interest, and curiosity for the multiple truths that exist side by side.
I look forward to learning about you guys and sharing with you myself along the way.
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