May 24, 2011

Acclimated to our new surroundings, we hit the ground running, starting the day with a strategic tour of Jerusalem. We visited various locations, deciphering how the city’s borders have changed from 1948 to 1967 to today. The stories of bravery and sacrifice from soldiers and civilians alike recounted by our tour guide, Jonty Blackman, were inspiring. In particular, the town of Giloh, which overlooks Bethlehem, was established to protect the more populated areas of Jerusalem and is today a thriving and vibrant community integrated into the city.

Following our tour, we heard some inspiring words regarding pro-Israel activism on campus and also explored the root causes of anti-Semitism. By understanding the origins of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism we can better combat these occurrences on our campuses. I and the other fellows are excited for the next two weeks and will surely return to campus better equipped to advocate for Israel.

Gila Ginzburg

York University, Canada