My Arabic Summer in Haifa

Two years ago, I spent 6 months studying Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It was my first time in Israel and I was excited to learn firsthand about the intricacies of everyday life in such a contested area. Overall it was a great experience and one that enlightened me to the complexities about Israeli society. 

The Hebrew University is situated very close to East Jerusalem, which meant I had the opportunity to interact with Israeli-Jews, Israeli-Palestinians, Palestinian inhabitants of East Jerusalem, Druze, and Bedouin. I first became interested in studying Arabic while I was in that linguistic melting pot.

In front of Al Aqsa Mosque

During my time at the Hebrew University, I also had the opportunity to travel and during my journeys outside of Jerusalem; very quickly it became obvious to me just how prevalent Arabic is in Israel. One day I decided to take a trip to Nazareth and was shocked to find that most, if not all of the signs were written in Arabic. I remember going into a bakery and failing to find anyone who spoke either Hebrew or English. I learned this is typical in many Arab villages in the country. 

My favorite bakery in Nazareth

I also came to realize that the new generation of young people that has been most successful at tackling the issues of minorities within Israeli society include those that can speak both languages and who are capable of connecting with multiple communities. I decided I wanted to be part of this conversation and returned to Israel this past summer to study Arabic. I chose Haifa because I had heard it was a city where Israel's diverse communities interacted more freely, more openly, and to a greater extent.

Carmel Beach, Haifa

 I left to study at the University of Haifa in August. Four days a week we went to class from 8am to 3pm and every Tuesday we went on a cultural field trip. On my free time I visited the Golan Heights, a myriad of northern Druze villages, and Akko, otherwise know as the ancient port of Acre.

I also conducted graduate-level research exploring the dynamics, challenges, and relational outcomes among interfaith couples. I interviewed couples from Haifa, Shfaram- an Arab town about 30 kilometers east of Haifa, Qiryat Shmona- a city located in the Northern District of Israel, and younger couples at the university. I asked students to tell me about their experience and what they anticipate for the coming years in regards to relationships between Israeli-Jews, Israeli-Palestinians, Druze and Bedouins.

Buq'ata

Most students at the university weren't as optimistic as I would have expected. One Christian Israeli-Palestinian student explained that although  Israeli-Jews, Israeli-Palestinians, Druze, and Bedouin work together in employment spaces and study together in universities, they usually do not form friendships. He explained that even within the Israeli-Palestinian minority there is a divide among Christians and Muslims.

Despite the pessimism I encountered during my conversations with Israelis, I learned about many new initiatives that bring together different groups of Israeli society through education and art. Some of them include the Hand in Hand Schools, the Abraham Fund, and Jerusalem Art.

Overall, I learned a lot from the Arabic program, but even more from the people.

White Mosque, Akko

Note: The minority dynamics in Israel are very complicated although I placed Druze into one group, the Druze community in Israel is divided into two groups: Druze Citizens of the State of Israel and Druze residents of the State of Israel who although offered citizenship by the State of Israel have pledged allegiance to Syria and have not accepted Israeli citizenship. As for the Bedouin community, all of the Bedouin have been granted Israeli Citizenship.