Now to my return...all of you have had this experience.  I came home and for a couple of hours yesterday did my volunteer work at the Shelter here.   As expected, there were those who asked me how was my trip with smiles and joy that I was back and then there were those and particularly one young person who is a student intern who asked me with head somewhat lowered and looks over the tops of her eyebrows, "How it is over there?"

Her words were dripping with judgment and the message was before I could answer..."It must be bad."  Now she is a student at the well-known George Mason Conflict Management Institute.  I knew that before she asked.  She started with some very large assumptions in her questions which I don't need to tell you as you already know.

My response was...."It's fine...employment is high, technology is being developed, shopping malls are filled with stores like those at Tyson's Corner and those who live there are doing well!"  My answer drew no response.  I walked away.

This served to remind me of our mission...and why our work is so important and the role VFI plays in telling the real truth about life in Israel.  I could go on and on but I will leave that for another day. My frustration only leads to more frustration and that leads to nothing...so I will continue to put my energy into recruiting and sending volunteers to Israel which surely tells a better and more accurate story about the people of Israel.  Do I expect to change all those like the student who knows nothing about Israel and only knows what she reads and hears?  No, I don't but I can know that I am doing what I can...to tell another story...the real one.

Shabbat Shalom...