Debate for Peace

As part of the Writers Matter program, teachers from about twenty schools around Israel wrote and shared their writing together. The following piece is part of the “I Am From” collection, and comes from Rivkah, from Misgav Educational Campus.

I am from a different culture, a different standard, 

a different age, a different world.

I am from defending my identity to simply living it.

I come from the red, white and blue – and from kachol v’lavan.

I come from canned soup 

but have evolved to homemade recipes.

I come from science and law – 

a fondness for both and a desire for neither.

I am from quips, anecdotes, storybooks and novels

that transport me to times long ago and others yet to come.

I come from community conformity 

standing alongside fierce individuality.

I came from judgement and high standards, 

yet I choose tolerance and acceptance.

I am from organized chaos and chaotic organization.

I am from independence – physical, mental and emotional.

I am from a people with a complex history, 

     a community with a code of honor,

          a family with a rich heritage, 

               and a personal eternal hope. 

I am born of love, have developed with love, 

practice love and preach love.

I come from deep roots and weightless wings.

I am from generosity of heart, hand and head.

I am tethered to the past,

     stand firmly in the present

          and courageously face the future.

I come from the realm of unending possibility.