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Using Poetry to Talk about Israel

11/5/2015

 
Picture
We gathered around a table in the upstairs part of Grit Coffee. Though there weren't very many of us, the intimate setting made it easier to relax and enjoy the spoken word poet Andrew Lustig. He performed a few poems expressing his feelings for Israel: love, reverence, fear, anxiety. After sharing one of his poems, called "I Am," he encouraged us to write for a few minutes about our feelings for Israel with the goal of imitating his style of poetry. We all wrote a few lines about our own experiences, and then took turns reading a line at a time, forming a new poem that represented our collective view of Israel. We discussed a little bit about our own experiences and tried to determine why we felt the way we did about Israel. Though we all have different opinions of Israel, of its politics and conflicts and leaders, everyone present was willing to be open and to share views with the rest of the group. All in all, it was a very meaningful and inspirational evening of poetry, creativity, and camaraderie. 

--Wittney Skigen 
Class of 2019 ​

I was really looking forward to this event because I am very passionate about Israel, and I thought this would be a good outlet for those emotions I have been experiencing over the last month or so with everything that has been happening in Israel. When I walked into Grit Coffee and saw the poet, I realized that he, Andrew Lustig, is the same person whose video I watched on YouTube all those years ago that gave me goosebumps and put tears in my eyes. After introductions, he began to recite some of his work for us. It was all so moving, so emotional, and hit so close to home for me. Lustig talked about different experiences in Israel, different opinions he has had himself and has heard from others, and his overall thoughts about the constant strife in the Middle East. I have always admired poets; the way they string words together to make them sound like music, the way they recite their work so passionately and effortlessly at the same time, the way they truly make words into art and have such fervent meaning behind them. It was really amazing hearing Lustig's pieces and getting to discuss them with him in such a private setting. 

Then we went on to an exercise where we all wrote anything on our minds about Israel; he encouraged us to write in a repetitive, one line fashion, and said we would be sharing afterwards. We went on to do an exercise where we strung all of our lines together to create one cohesive poem. I really enjoyed this event a lot. It was a great break from the world of studying and classes and gave us all an hour or so to talk about something that truly matters to us: Israel. 

--Talia Sion 
Class of 2018

First-Years climb Humpback HikeĀ 

11/3/2015

 
Picture
On October 18th at 5:30 a.m., First Year Connection embarked on a three-hour-long journey. It was 30 degrees outside, there were no other cars on the road, and phone service was unreliable. The first car was leading the other two cars, until they were separated and we were forced to rely on road signs when Google Maps failed. Amazingly enough, 45 minutes later we found Humpback Rock and exposed ourselves to wind chill after sitting in a warm car. Having been on the hike before, I recalled that the Humpback Hike isn’t as easy as everyone claims it to be.
Finally, at 7 a.m., 25 minutes before the sun actually rose we made it to the rock, accompanied by another group and two dogs. We bundled up under blankets, and watched the sun rise. We ended the hike with muffins and icebreakers, even though the wind was still strong, and it wasn’t getting any warmer outside. Nevertheless, it was a positive experience over all. As FYC Co-Chair, it was a treat to experience some of the first years’ first Humpback Hike. No matter how early it might be or how miserable the weather might be, watching a beautiful sunrise with good company is an experience you don’t want to pass up.
-- Alex Nebel
FYC Co-Chair and Class of 2018

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© 2019 Hillel at the University of Virginia
  • About Us
    • Community Partners
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Impact Report
    • FAQ
  • Student Life
    • Sign up Student eNewsletter
    • Story Showcase
    • Student Leaders
    • Alternative Spring Break
    • Our Space
    • Passover
    • Jewish Studies Program
    • High Holidays
    • Jewish Resources
    • Incoming Students
    • Prospective Students
    • Blog
    • Calendar
  • Community
    • Community Newsletter
    • Parents >
      • Parent to Parent >
        • Chanukah Basketball Watch Parties
    • Young Alumni
    • Rent our space
  • Support Us
    • Donate Now
    • Give through UVA
    • Commonwealth Kiddush Cup
    • Capital Campaign
    • Jefferson Society
    • Eleventh Annual Brody Jewish Center Raffle