Off to Bethlehem

Am off to Bethlehem for about 36 hours - Thursday 8 am-ish til 3pm - exactly 1 hour before Shabbat begins. Will be meeting Palestinians - adults and kids - and learning about their lives. Will receive home hospitality as well. Am bringing two different kinds of cookies from an amazing local French bakery as a hospitality gift. Is there any better way to create commonalities or breach differences than with food?

The group I am traveling with is called Encounter. It's goal: Encounter is an educational organization dedicated to providing Jewish Diaspora leaders from across the religious and political spectrum with exposure to Palestinian life. 

 Check it out; it's worthwhile.

http://encounterprograms.org/home.html

Shabbat Shalom!
Arlene

PS: Don't tell my Mom! Am waiting until after I get back.