Written by Jazzy, Marina, Ben and Callie

We started off our day by taking a bus to the Be'eri Kibbutz in southern Israel. Vivian the co-director of the Kibbutz and founder of NISPID (Negev Institute For Strategies of Peace and Development) welcomed us to the Kibbutz where we had a conversation about how the Kibbutz functioned.

Vivian Introducing us to Be'eri Kibbutz:

She began by telling us if there was a rocket attack from Gaza at any time during our visit that we had 15 seconds to get in a safe room. None of us were worried because she assured us there had not been an attack in over four years. In the middle of our discussion the alarm sounded. None of us knew how to react. She left the room for a few seconds then came back with a serious look and motioned for us to get up and said "Lets go." Immediately 17 bodies flew out of their seats and raced to the closest door. Thankfully it turned out to be the faux fire alarm. Later we met with the NISPID participants, a group of Jewish and Bedouin teenagers working together to build community between Israeli Jews and Bedouin villagers. We broke off into groups and discussed a lesson plan for the following days volunteer work at the Bedouin elementary school. Later that night Callie, Jazzy and Marina's host, Aisha invited the rest of our group (Ben, Alex, Ido, Aviv, Yael and Smaher) over for dinner. She gave us a tour of her village and her house which put most of ours to shame. We didn't expect the contrast between the outside area of the village and the inside of some of the new houses. We were served tea and delicious treats at her uncle's house after which we ate dinner at Aishas house. Her mom served us big platters of yellow rice with potatoes, Bedouin bread and freshly slaughtered chicken from their farm. We sat around drinking tea, laughing at each others jokes bonding with our newly found Jewish and Arab friends. Aisha then showed us her unbelievable belly dancing as we clapped along with the music.
The next day (this morning) Aisha took Callie, Jazzy and Marina to her old high school and showed us around, introducing us to all the curious teachers and students. The boys met us at the elementary school where we were introduced to all the classes where all the kids seemed to be in awe at seeing their first Americans. "Salaam aleykum" we all greeted them. "Aleykum asalaam!" they enthusiastically shouted back. We met with the principal who was thrilled that we were there to play games with the children. He told us about his grandfather who owned all the land in the city the school was located in called Rahat. He explained how his grandfather had 39 wives and developed a family of 4000 people in a 3 generation span making up the entire population of Rahat. We played hangman, where the wind blows, and a version of musical chairs. After school we ate, as the Bedouins assured us "The best falafel in Israel" After lunch we met back up with everyone in another town so the bus could take the Bedouins back to their villages, the Jews back to their "communa" or apartment, and us Americans back to our hotel in West Jerusalem. As we said goodbye there were hugs, promises about talking on facebook, and even a few tears. We all agreed our experience was unparalleled by anything we had ever done in our life and we all felt so lucky to have had it. We finished our night with another nice big meal at a restaurant in Jerusalem and came back to the hostile to get lots of rest for the last four days we are here.
The Bloggers:
Callie and Jazzy meeting new friends

Marina and Yasmine

Jazzy Drumming for her lunch

Ben saying goodbye to Ido