LBGT Community

It is easy to forget that LBGT rights, or rather lack of rights, is a common issue in all modern countries. Countries such as those in Europe have modernized more than even the U.S. when it comes to the LBGT community. However I was interested to read about how Israel, a middle eastern country, handles these issues. Although Israel is part of the middle east, it is very different from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq- therefore I wasn't too surprised that the Israelis did offer rights to the LBGT community.

This past summer I worked for the Anti-Defemation League. One of my tasks as an intern was to read bills and legislation regarding hate crimes. A lot of hate crimes are committed against the LBGT community. Because this legal aspect interested me, on one of the websites, Jerusalem Open House, I decided to read about the LGBT Bill of Rights in Jerusalem. Firstly, I was surprised about a lot of the rights that do not already exist. Currently, the Israeli hate crime legislation does not specifically list LBGT, unlike the codes in certain states of the US do. Ohio has a similar code to that of Jerusalem- it does not protect against crimes motivated by a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. So I guess it looks like Jerusalem, a holy city, is just as progressive as Ohio, a state that has elected Obama twice. However, I was glad to read that there is a large number of people in Jerusalem that are pushing for more LBGT rights.

Like many other of my classmates stated, I was surprised that we would cover a topic such as LBGT rights in a class focusing on Jerusalem. I guess I keep forgetting that there is more to Israel than just conflict and more to Jerusalem than just religion.

Sharon and my Mother-in-Law/ Not Mother of all Cities

It was a refreshing twist to read war stories that added some humor. I literally laughed out loud when I read about the dog receiving a Jerusalem passport and then when she took the dog to the border and told the Israeli soldier that she was driving the dog to Jerusalem where the dog was allowed. This comical "tail," although amusing and funny, really illustrates how hard life was/is for Palestinians living in these territories. In the story about the gas masks, the Palestinian soldiers where joking around when they were being transported in a fun and seemingly care-free way. However, my laughter was quickly mitigated when I thought about the reality of the two stories- how awful it is that a dog received a Jerusalem passport when families/people have been trying for months/years to gain access to the city. Also, the reality behind the jokes such as "this is the transfer bus to Jordan" is heartbreaking. Palestinians actually had to worry about trusting the soldiers, being transported to another country, or being tricked. Being pro-Israel, I have never read stories about Palestinian families and what actual life is like for them. Based on these stories, however, it seems as if the Jews during WWII and the Palestinians have a lot in common. The Germans had special rules and enacted curfews, just like the Israelis did. 

Everyone refers to Jerusalem as as "she", as a holy beyond holy cities, that people sometimes lose sight of the fact that it is a living city with potholes that need to be fixed and schools that need to educate. I think that Galit did an excellent job in illustrating/arguing that Jerusalem is not just this fantasy, holy city that everyone claims it is- it is a lot more than that. It is a real city like columbus that needs necessary, "cityesq" elements just like every city.  

P.S. I have never heard Jerusalem  referred to as a prostitute. 

Web Journal

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” 
― Bob Marley

In the shower, on the walk to class, driving in the car, playing my viola or running on a treadmill, music always surrounds me. Growing up, The Indigo Girls, REM, Natalie Merchant, Jewel, or Broadway show tunes filled my house. My mom, a lover of music, started my passion for music at an early age and to be honest, without my love of music, my life would be incomplete. Music can cheer me up or pump me up. Music has even helped me get through one of the worst break ups ever. What I listen to defines who I am. My favorite bands are  Death Cab for Cutie and the Avett Brothers and my favorite female vocalist is Regina Spektor. I attend at least one concert a year. Basically, I can't go a day without listening to music. 

The music that I listen to are all methods of communicating to me life lessons: 

"Flowers never bend with the rainfall"- Simon and Garfunkel- This quote/song inspires me to keep my head up and be strong. If fragile flowers can withstand the power of the rain then I can withstand life's obstacles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAvCfCBZaF4

"There are places I remember, all my life though some have changed...with lovers and friends I still can recall...in my life I've loved them all"- In My Life- The Beatles. When I listen to this song I think of all the life memories that I have created a long the way. The friendships and the hardships and the connections. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKQpRgxyyqo

"Somedays aren't yours at all. They come and go as if they are someone else's days....don't doubt." Somedays- Regina Spektor- Last year I hit a really hard time in my life and really struggled almost everyday, when I would listen to songs such as this one or Simon and Garfunkel, for the 3 min that the song played I could feel a connection that the singer also was going through a hard time when he/she wrote the song. It is nice to know that you are not alone in feeling a certain way, you can always find a song that feels it too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrGRSKjAvNM

Music and conflict: I believe that music soothes all the pain, at least for the time that someone is listening to it. Even though music might not solve all the problems politically, it can offer a place of hope or a glimmer or inspiration, as corny as the sounds. Music often times represents an outlet. Whenever I was upset in high school, I would always grab my viola and just play away. Lyrics can also be a way to let out pain, anger and emotion. Therefore, music is a more peaceful way of approaching a conflict. Think about the hippie movement in the 60s. Peace Train

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” 

― Victor Hugo

In my last blog I talked about One Day by Matisyahu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs

Music also offers me a way to connect to my religion and my culture: 

Hatikva

Shema Yisrael

The Work of Her Hands

Channels of Rage: While I was reading this article I couldn’t help thinking about the Jewish singer Matisyahu. He set this large trend in the United States about promoting peace and bringing about a Jewish Reggae/rap genre. Like Kobi wearing a Star of David, he makes singing about peace “cool.” Matisyahu sings about the one day that no one will be fighting anymore and that all the children will be playing together.  Also like Kobi, Matisyahu brought about a new/modern Zionist message. His name means “gift of God.” He mixes hip-hop, rap, beat boxing and the Judaism’s hazzan style of songful prayer.

Israeli hip-hop: All flow, no edge: It is very interesting how politics shape music and culture of a country. Hip-hop and rap emerged in Israel after a handshake between enemies whereas rap and hip-hop became popular in the United States due influential African American roots.  Although I listened to Subliminal and I decided that I am not a huge fan, I think his lyrics and message can really have an effect on Israel’s youth.  From personal experience, Music can really shape the way that someone looks at something.

Hip-hop and the Palestinians: “Rap is CNN for us.” This small quote is loaded with a powerful meaning. For the Palestinians, rap is a way of communicating events, emotions, and thoughts. Rap became a way to peacefully resist, just like music in the 60’s during the civil rights/Vietnam era.

The Work of Her Hands: Until reading this article I have never really heard or learned about the Mizrahi culture. I know about the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish culture but I honestly have never learned about the Mizrahi culture. However, I do listen to a lot of Israeli, Middle Eastern, and religiously Jewish music. I would argue that every song in a way is a “religious poem.” Most music is written out of emotion. Whether the song is about the religion of love or the religion of heartbreak or the religion of god, every song is written for a purpose- to spread a message of some sort.

I thought it was very interested that a class about religious poem songs was created and became widely popular. I think this definitely illustrates the strong connection that Israel has with religion as well as the connection that religion has with music. Religion has definitely also shaped Israel’s secular culture.