Oys but mostly Joys by Megan Meese

Life is full of “oys and joys.” Every day consists of both bad and good moments. On the Bob Malkin Young Ambassadors (BMYA) trip to Israel, before going to bed each night, each of us shared our “oys and joys” from the day. This nightly practice enhanced my experience in Israel. Reflecting on my day in this way helped me realize how many lifelong memories I had made in just that day. Hearing others share theirs allowed me to learn about them and recall special experiences that I had not immediately thought of. Furthermore, having already been to Israel, this consideration highlighted to me how special the BMYA program was. “Oys and joys” guided me in appreciating every moment of my experience. Over the course of the trip, I accumulated so many experiences, both “oys” and “joys,” that helped me grow into a stronger leader, a more mindful global citizen, an even more connected Jew, and an overall better person. On the last day, we were asked to share our ultimate "oy" and "joy" from our time in Israel.

Luckily, there were few "oys” for me to choose from, so choosing my "oy" was very easy. It was hiking through the ancient tunnels under Jerusalem and the City of David. Hiking through at least an hour of tunnels that were just over 5’ tall is not the most comfortable experience for someone who is 6’2”. It would have been nice if the people ahead of me had not had to yell “Megan!” so many times to warn me that I would soon have to duck even more. Nevertheless, I enjoyed everything in the experience. I am very glad I had this unique opportunity, and it has become a very fond memory for me despite having been painful in the moment. I am more than content that this remarkable experience is my "oy" from the trip. This optimism and gratitude set the tone of my trip and my relationship with the state of Israel as well as inspired me to have a more positive and appreciative outlook on life.

Now, I had to choose a “joy.” There were so many "joys" for me to consider; I classified a “joy” as an activity that I enjoyed or an opportunity that had a profound impact on me. A vast array of experiences immediately began to flood my mind. Some were consistent themes throughout my trip, like amazing food and practicing my Hebrew. Others were individual activities that influenced my connection to Judaism and understanding of the world. Riding camels through the Judean Desert and eating a Bedouin dinner in “Abraham’s tent” at Genesis Land were fun and unique adventures that provided me with a deeper connection to the land that is Israel and to my Jewish heritage. At Anu: The Museum of the Jewish People, I witnessed the diverse identities and practices of the Jewish people and learned about the impact Jews have made on popular culture and modern society. I felt seen and represented. Walking through the exhibits, I understood myself a little better; the museum heightened my pride and awareness of my Jewish identity. One exhibit shared that Jews can be credited with the happy ending in stories, which arose naturally as their stories told of the Jewish community repeatedly surviving Antisemitic persecution throughout history. Masada captured this resilience as despite the horrors Jerusalem and the Jewish rebels faced in the first century CE, the Jewish community has continued to flourish throughout history and in modern times. Thus, Masada has become a contemporary symbol of the Jewish cultural identity, the human struggle between oppression and liberty, and the importance of working towards acceptance instead of hatred. To further that mentality ourselves, we attended a cooking workshop at the home of a Druze family; there, I learned about a culture and religion I knew very little about and had the opportunity to embrace it through food and conversation. Visiting and volunteering at the Hinam Center for Social Tolerance highlighted the work that still needs to be done in all communities to further attitudes of respect and acceptance. Upon this reflection, I realized that the overall theme of my trip to Israel was understanding history and culture in order to become a leader for change, advocating for coexistence and combating misinformation, specifically that regarding Israel, Zionism, and Judaism. I knew exactly which “joy” to choose.

Of my many "joys", our Shabbat in the Old City of Jerusalem encapsulated all of these inspiring experiences. On our way to the Western Wall, we walked through the Christian quarter and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Coming from an interfaith family, it was really special for me to see sites important to both sides of my family. This experience also fortified my Jewish identity. Aside from my Bat Mitzvah, I have never felt closer to my Judaism than when I was celebrating Shabbat at the Kotel. After finding a spot for my note, I continued to stand at the Wall with my hand on the stones. Thoughts flooded my mind. I envisioned the Second Temple and the Jews who congregated there two millennia ago. I thought about its destruction and the history of Antisemitic violence in the land and around the world. The Kotel represents the Jewish spirit and perseverance by its vibrant existence despite years of intolerance. I pictured Jews living in the diaspora who travel to this site to feel what I was feeling: the profound connection to their heritage, to their people, and to their Judaism. I stood with these thoughts for a few minutes before joining my friends and a circle of IDF soldiers and other Jewish visitors of all different backgrounds in Jewish songs and hora dancing. The immediate bond that was created by this inherent Jewish sisterhood and the freedom to openly and proudly express my Jewish identity filled me with indescribable joy. Before I knew it, we had to leave.

As we left the Old City, with the Dome of the Rock still in sight, we heard the deep melody of the Muslim call to prayer. I watched the Sun set over the Holy City, and it occurred to me that in those past few hours, I had heard and seen some of the holiest sites of these three faiths, of many people in Israel and around the world. Like the sunset, the Old City was diverse, beautiful, and inspiring. Various colors, each belonging in the sky, remain true to their identity while in a natural, imperfect, and harmonious coexistence. This is what Israel is to me. Israel is a land rich with history and culture, including but not limited to those of the Jewish people whose ancestral homeland it is. Throughout the trip and especially in that evening, I saw that this is the true Israel, and I knew I needed to tell people about it.

Each day, there are so many “oys” in the world. We are constantly hearing about “oys.” My experience in Israel on the BMYA trip has taught me how important it is to acknowledge both the “oys” and “joys.” Sometimes, like in the case of hiking under the City of David, you need to have an optimistic outlook in order to find the “joys” in the “oys.” Other times, it is necessary to recognize the “oys” and work for change in order to turn them into “joys.” Noticing the problem, such as intolerance and hatred, is the first step to making a positive difference in the world as a leader, like furthering coexistence and combating Antisemitism. Regardless of how the “joy” is achieved or how significant it is, it is worth celebrating and appreciating. As a Jewish leader and an advocate for Israel, I will use my personal Israel experiences from the BMYA trip to confront the Antizionism and Antisemitism I witness in my life. Shabbat in Jerusalem is one of many experiences I had in Israel that I can use. From eating world famous hummus in Akko next to a Muslim family to street signs throughout the country being written in Hebrew, English, and Arabic, the BMYA trip has shown me that Israel is not the oppressive place it is often portrayed as. While there is still work to do, as is true in all countries, it is evident that Israel is a haven for so many people, not just Jews who face Antisemitism in diaspora. The BMYA trip shown me that, as a Jew and as someone who is passionate about human rights, my connection and love for Israel is motivated by its crucial role in protecting my heritage and values.