Writing from the fault lines of Israeli society
Featured Post
Two Women
Two headscarves, tied differently. Two smiles. Two friends. They are what the future should look like
The author and her dear friend Khitam on their trip to Istanbul
Two women.
One Jewish, One Muslim.
One Jewish, One Muslim.
One born in Florida,
with her toes in the Atlantic Ocean.
She learned how to run from alligators,
& dressed in red, white and blue
to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July
with her toes in the Atlantic Ocean.
She learned how to run from alligators,
& dressed in red, white and blue
to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July
The other, born in the Negev Desert.
Countless cousins, occasional camels.
Expansive, wide-open spaces
Surrounded by family, she’d never met a Jew.
Countless cousins, occasional camels.
Expansive, wide-open spaces
Surrounded by family, she’d never met a Jew.
One spoke English. One spoke Arabic
Both found their way to Hebrew.
Both found their way to Hebrew.
One mastered the language,
made it her own.
Her ticket to an education
her parents had missed.
made it her own.
Her ticket to an education
her parents had missed.
After moving to Israel,
the other learned gradually,
falling back on her English,
an asset in this international world.
the other learned gradually,
falling back on her English,
an asset in this international world.
They met at work,
both committed to changing
this tiny corner of the big, big world.
both committed to changing
this tiny corner of the big, big world.
Two women, two headscarves.
One tied loosely behind her neck
One closed tightly under her chin.
One tied loosely behind her neck
One closed tightly under her chin.
Two friends who love to laugh.
Two women who love this land.
Two women who love this land.
One day, they board an airplane
and spend a few days somewhere
their friendship isn’t newsworthy.
and spend a few days somewhere
their friendship isn’t newsworthy.
Outside of Israel,
they are not a Muslim & a Jew
They are two friends
sharing an adventure,
drinking sweet tea,
getting lost on the metro
& walking till their feet hurt.
they are not a Muslim & a Jew
They are two friends
sharing an adventure,
drinking sweet tea,
getting lost on the metro
& walking till their feet hurt.
Until Hebrew once again tickles their ears.
Another tourist, an Israeli man
trying to make himself understood in English.
Another tourist, an Israeli man
trying to make himself understood in English.
The Muslim woman smiles.
Though it’s a complex relationship,
She loves the language. She’d missed it.
She translates for him. He’s grateful for the help.
Though it’s a complex relationship,
She loves the language. She’d missed it.
She translates for him. He’s grateful for the help.
He gives the women a long look.
Two headscarves, tied differently.
Two smiles, accented Hebrew. Two friends.
Mutual respect.
Comfort, laughter, ease.
Suddenly, they are not just two women.
Two headscarves, tied differently.
Two smiles, accented Hebrew. Two friends.
Mutual respect.
Comfort, laughter, ease.
Suddenly, they are not just two women.
For this man,
in this moment,
They are hope.
They are beauty.
They are what the future should look like.
in this moment,
They are hope.
They are beauty.
They are what the future should look like.
***
Here’s hoping for happier days
and many more adventures.
and many more adventures.