I Am Now a Tree With Roots

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” - Marcus Garvey. 

All my life, I’ve been immersed in Judaism. Jewish community, Jewish home, Jewish school, and a Jewish life in general.  Growing up in this lifestyle, I never quite got a grasp on the true origins of our unique minority, or more importantly, why we lived such a different life than the rest of the world. I was always left clueless as to why we were faced with so many restrictions growing up, and the education of my Jewish roots never quite gave me the clarity I’ve been searching for. 

Studying abroad at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel became the gateway to all of the answers that I anxiously desired. I have been learning history for 8 years bound to the confines of my classroom. Learning from a white board in fragments, never quite understanding the big picture and true chronological story of my culture and religion. Seeking a different perspective, and new experience of becoming educated of my roots, I grew adamant about enrolling in this once in a lifetime program. The days before my trip became ones of panic and anxiety fearing that this program might once again leave me with no complete understanding of Judaism and its origin. These fears were put to rest the minute I set foot in my first class. Not only did the teachers engage me in the best way possible, but they also they also educated me of the thousands of years of rich history that belonged to the Jews on the homeland where these momentous events took place. I could almost see the history taking place before my very eyes, as I would be taking the same steps my ancestors had thousands of years ago. I was no longer confined to a classroom, but rather opened to a country of enlightenment that provided me with the knowledge of my people I had been anxiously seeking.

I now have the clarity, I now am a tree with roots.