Why I'm going

Hello from Ohio. I'm here enjoying the last few days of break, becoming increasingly excited and nervous about heading off to Israel. Yesterday in his sermon, Pastor Steve said, "I don't know why anyone would go to Israel today." I don't think he was referring to me specifically, but I smiled, and I figured I'd copy and paste my essay, "Why I'm going to Israel." I used it to convince Georgetown officials why I'm going there, and I hope you find useful when you, too, wonder why in the world I'd want to go.

As a student at Georgetown, I am pursuing government and theology majors with a Hebrew minor. In theology, a course on biblical literature first sparked my interest in Israel. Understanding Mediterranean culture is vital to understanding Scripture, and being abroad in Israel will expose me to the values that influenced biblical authors. Another class that I took taught me the ancient history of Israel and archeological aspects of biblical theology. Since my acceptance to Hebrew University, I have looked forward to a class on the archaeology of Jerusalem. Currently, I am studying the Torah from a literary perspective at a Catholic university. At the Rothberg International School, I will be able study Scripture from a Jewish perspective. I look forward to the insight I will gain into the Jewish/Christian particularities of biblical interpretation. Upon my return to Georgetown, I plan to be an even greater participant in events supporting religious dialogue and to be even more involved in pluralistic initiatives on campus. Furthermore, I hope to share with both Jewish and Christian peers my experience as a student in Israel and its impact on my understanding of the two faiths.

Coursework taken in the government department has set my desire to study in Israel. A class taken last semester, “The Arab/Israeli Conflict,” exposed me to the history of disputes in the region. Living in Israel will allow me to better understand many more aspects of the issues involved in the conflict. Furthermore, the historic nature of current events in Israel will be remarkable to witness first-hand. This semester, I am taking “American Involvement in the Middle East,” a course analyzing the nature of U.S. intervention in the region. Studying in Israel will allow me to see American foreign policy from an Israeli perspective and give me a fuller appreciation for the complexities of international relations. My second government course this semester is “Israeli Culture and Politics.” Needless to say, living in Israel will broaden my understanding of the political and social systems there. After visiting Israel, I will be far better equipped to talk to others about events and politics in the region. Georgetown is a highly political campus, and I look forward to speaking out on events in Israel with the experience of someone who has spent time there. Furthermore, in my role as a government major who will be seeking employment after graduation, I plan to use my experience in Israel to influence government policy through my career. I hope to work in the Department of State where I will be able to advocate pro-Israel policies with the knowledge of someone who has studied and invested time in the nation.

Some ask why Israel is necessary for my study abroad. As a biblical theology major, I ought to be able to study Scripture anywhere. Still, only in Israel are the archaeological sites. Only there will I be able to experience the land of the patriarchs and fully appreciate the Middle Eastern culture. My study in Jerusalem is far more than academic. I hope to come away with a greater understanding of my own faith identity and its roots in Israel. Still, could I not study the regional conflict at Georgetown? It is possible, but the chance to live where individuals are far more affected by the outcome of history than are the remote academies abroad proves much more enticing. I hope to personally step into the many-faceted Middle Eastern debate by going to Israel and stepping out of my one-dimensional American perspective. For spiritual, academic, and cultural reasons, I look forward to studying abroad in Israel and the way it will impact my life.