My name is Teresa (a.k.a. Tree), and one week from today I will board a plane destined for Tel Aviv. From the airport in Tel Aviv I will take a taxi to the Muslim quarter in Jerusalem's "Old City" and collapse from exhaustion onto a small bed in a small room. This room will be my home for one month, in an old pilgrim house run by religious sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion. Here, at this convent, I will study Scripture and participate in the lives of Christians, Jews and Muslims who call Jerusalem "home."
Old City of Jerusalem. Ecce Homo Pilgrim House is located in the Muslim Quarter.
Why this means so much to me...
I have worked in peacebuilding for 15 years. Under the tutelage of others who have worked for peace, especially through interfaith dialogue and collaboration, it is my desire that this trip to Israel will give me the knowledge, wisdom, and hope to continue building loving communities around me.
A little about my Sion sensibility...
I am an Lay Associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion, a Catholic congregation of women set out "To Heal a Fractured World" by building bridges of understanding among all faith traditions; by working for justice, peace and love among peoples; and by choosing life, including all creation. There are two realities of the modern, geographical Jerusalem. One is a city of religious fanaticism and interreligious warring; distrust among neighbors and violence between strangers; a city divided by ancient rivalry that eludes all attempts at peace and justice. The other is a city where three faith traditions share, in their unique ways, a common spiritual home; a city that is the beating heart of a network of grassroots peace initiatives; where religious leaders and scholars put aside the agendas of politicians and sit at table together; where Palestinian and Israeli neighbors live and work side by side. "Sion" is the (french) biblical name for Jerusalem and represents a utopian place of unity, peace and freedom...the "world to come" or the "kingdom of God." I am so fortunate to be journeying with others on the road to this "City of Peace."
Thank You!
As I prepare to leave for Israel at the end of this week, I am feeling a bit anxious. It will be difficult to be away from my husband and little Maple for so long. But whatever fear I may have, it is overwhelmed by the excitement I feel when I think about the new friends I will meet; others who wish to be light that penetrates darkness.
I want to thank all those who have generously helped me get to Jerusalem....Nikki & Tim, Seyi & Jason, Katie & Aaron, Pam B., Alison, Catherine, Candy & Tom, Lauren & Mark, April & Greg, Pat & Mel, Pam M., Mary & Gary, Sarah & Jeff, Erin & Ather, Gina & Dan...and especially the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion and Sion Associates from around the world.
But I couldn't do any of this, nor be "my best self," without the love of my life. Thank you, Michael, my best friend and partner. I will miss you terribly!
P.S. - You can donate to my Go Fund Me campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/treeinjerusalem.