All posts in JITLI Stories

I was living with teenagers who had been destined to fight an apocalyptic war against me. The simple idea of knowing these people seemed catastrophic to my society, my leaders, and my parents. At one point, we were less than a mile from the Israeli-Gaza border. The occasional plane or helicopter passed above us; it was standard protocol. I, along…

College essay -Eduardo Rozen- Evaluate a significant experience and how it affected you Walking to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel is the best experience for a Jew in the world. The sound of constant prayer, the thought of the holiest place being right beyond the wall running through my mind, the constant controversy that the wall has caused causing…

“No Jews allowed.” As I walked through the tunnel to the Dome of the Rock, the sharp caveat-not signed by members of the Muslim faith, but rather from the Chief Rabbi of Israel-seemed almost aggressive, demeaning, self-righteous. The irony of the situation was shocking. For years, I was taught the conflict in the Middle East was a result of the…

This past summer I was accepted to be part of a program called The Jacobs International Teen Leadership Institute-JITLI. Ten American Jews, ten Israeli Jews, and twenty Arab-Israelis, together we were to travel for three weeks in Israel while working to set aside our differences, build an understanding of each other’s lives and cultures, break down stereotypes, and accomplish a…

JITLI is not your average teen tour to Israel, to have fun and sightsee with Jewish friends. Rather, it is another type of experience of a lifetime, in which Jews and Arabs come together to discuss their similarities and differences, and create everlasting memories. The night before JITLI was the night when it REALLY settled with me– I was going…

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the Arab-Israeli conflict. Its details have been greatly distorted throughout the world by supporters of both sides, forcing one to excavate through the biases to find the truth. This past summer I decided to do just that. I participated in the Jacobs International Teen Leadership Institute (JITLI), a…

The illuminating screen reflected the fear that captured her face. She froze in time and allowed her eyes to be occupied with nothing other than the subjects she watched on the television. Her chest heaved and her hands trembled. Her eyes spilled tears and her skin fumed red. She held back no pain as she pivoted her body to meet…