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11/23/2014

When I Say We Are All in This Together... I do mean ALL

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Justin and I arrived home Friday afternoon after a long but smooth flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul to JFK, then a sleepy ride home to the Berkshires.  It will surely take me a few days to reacclimatize to the changes in time zone and the temperature and current events  here at home.  Quite a bit has happened here since I left 2 weeks ago.  In some ways I'm coming from and returning to alternate realities.
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Soon I'll begin to log and review the many hours of footage from the trip.  In the mean time, I'm reviewing it all in my mind and continue to recall and discover the issues, ironies, and realities that unfolded.  
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Hartman and Jerusalem High Schools
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Ginsberg and Al Najah High Schools
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HSES and Al H'Washallah
We had 5 school pairings planned for our MiC program, as well as a reunion dinner with the summer Youth Summit Delegates.  Three programs went just as planned, including one between East and West Jerusalem schools, the other two between Bedouin Arabs and Jewish Israelis in the Negev.  These students collaborated to produce and record 3 wonderful, powerful songs, as well as some short video clips and most importantly, bonds that I believe will endure and ultimately cultivate new understanding and cooperation. Every step of the way, I was reminded of why we are here and of the value and impact of this work.
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Lyric writing
The other two programs were postponed due to tensions and fears after two incidents of violence.  The second program in Jerusalem was scheduled to begin the day after the attack at the Synagogue.  The Palestinian school feared retaliation and for the safety of their students traveling into the heart of the city.  The reality made this more than a headline to me.
PictureAnkori School
We met with the Jewish students at their school to discuss the events of the day and to explain the MiC program.  I interviewed some of the students and was moved by the intensity of their stories.  
Even though their individual and collective perspectives were mixed, and often even confusing, it seems they are looking forward to participating when the program is rescheduled.  I envision this to be one of the more dynamic pairings.

The other postponed program was in Netanya, where a week earlier a man's car was set on fire as he entered the Palestinian area.  The man was rescued but tensions remained high.  
We made every attempt over the course of a week to relocate both days of the program to a neutral territory, but ultimately decided to postpone as the spirit and method of our program was being compromised by the alterations.  This was a hard decision that didn't go smoothly.

On our last day we traveled to Jaffe for a much anticipated reunion with our delegates.  When we arrived 2 weeks ago, everyone had confirmed attendance.  One by one and two by two, they informed me they wouldn't make it.  Some offered reasons… family illness, need to study, no transportation, etc.  Just as I was about to order dinner for the few who I thought were still coming, I got the call that they weren't.  In truth, I believe there were other reasons that they didn't want to share.  I want to think it was more about their sense of safety traveling and not a change in their perspective on coexistence, but who can say for sure?  In most cases it was their parents who made the decision.  I had so wanted to talk to and film their thoughts and perspectives on the current escalation of tensions, as well as to hear their experiences after returning home.  Follow-up is an important part of our work and we will continue to develop ways to stay in touch with all of them and to foster ways for them to connect with one another. Needless to say everyone involved in the cancellations was incredibly disappointed and we do intend to reschedule the programs to take place with our facilitators in Israel.  

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Me, Justin and Nimrod... one of our amazing Israeli faciliatators.
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Me and my old friend Mrwan at his performance in Jerusalem.
We were able to expand our network of MiC supporters, including teachers, principals, and potential facilitators during this tour, through direct contact, word of mouth, and via our social media posting.  This is very significant for Music In Common, as we intend to broaden and expand our programming throughout the year with a team of Jewish and Arab partners who can work side by side to initiate and implement activities in the region. We will be working diligently here in the U.S. to train and develop this team in Israel so that programming and follow-up can take place.  In our commitment to these goals, fundraising for our Israel programs is critical and will be ongoing.   With a strong network in the country, our potential for sustainable efforts becomes more feasible.
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Tensions throughout the trip were palpable.  We remained acutely aware of relatively small incidents reported, reactions and responses by both sides, and of course always aware of our location and surroundings.  Navigating the streets and highways in the country is tricky at best, but we made our way around without any major detours, enjoying the diverse beauty of the countryside and cities and meeting many people along the way.  Though we weren't able to bring students to Beit Hanina, a school in East Jerusalem, Justin and I visited, toured, and interviewed the principal at the school.  Then, we walked and shopped in the bustling town. I personally really enjoyed the familiar Arab atmosphere.

We took advantage of the unexpected down time to enjoy the magnificent Mediterranean Sunset and the night scenes of Jaffe and Tel Aviv.  It was also a time to reflect on the events of the past 2 weeks and the outcomes of what happened and what didn't happen.

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Jaffe Sunset
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View of Tel Aviv from Jaffe
PictureHigh School for Environmental Studies & Al H'Washallah
Even with all the twists and turns, the most prominent vibe of the trip reflects the theme we proposed to the students for their songs, "We Refuse To Be Enemies".  In general every student, teacher, and person we spoke to echoed this in one way or another.  As the world watches from afar via headlines, life in Israel continues on day to day.  People go to work, go to school, shop, enjoy the arts, and travel about.   At times, it was hard to believe their was anything noteworthy going on.  In some places, it is impossible to identify between Arabs and Jews.  We heard many stories about police and IDF screening people on the train, on the streets, and at the borders, both Arabs and Jews.  Everyone is suspect and to me, that reality is a very sad reflection on humanity.  

What I take away more than anything is that when we look closely, individuals are intent on co-existing and that for better or worse, We Are All In This Together.  From my perspective, the We includes ourselves and others... All.   My hope is that somehow this concept will flow upstream and change will happen.  Maybe at some level it already is.  I want to believe it.

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My task now is to sift out the dramatic complexities to reveal what actually happens during the MiC process.  The shifts in attitude, understanding, expectations, and perceptions are real and tangible every single time.  These students are modeling a process toward peace, whether they recognize it or not.  That has lasting value in that the experience cannot be unexperienced.  This is hopeful and inspiring.  For all the exhaustion, stress, and uncertainties I know that we accomplished our goals.  The fact we did so amid such challenging circumstances is precisely why we are there and why this work is so relevant. 

We are hosting an information session about the February tour in Israel and Palestine with students on Monday November 24th from 5:30-7PM at the Mason Library in Great Barrington. More information see this article. 

As always, you can see updates, photos, and videos from the tour on our Facebook Page.


Your support in the form of donations, volunteering, in-kind services, promoting, and networking are welcomed and encouraged.  Please email me at lynnette@musicincommon.org or visit our website.  

In Gratitude ~ L

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The Magnificent Midreshet Wadi

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11/14/2014

#WeRefuseToBeEnemies

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After a busy and productive week, I want to take advantage of a rare morning off to let you know how things are going here at MiC Israel.  We spent 4 nights in Jerusalem holding one program with an East and a West Jerusalem High School.  Now we are in the Negev pairing Jewish and Bedouin students that live near one another but have little or no opportunity to meet.


I am working with Justin Hillman, who is facilitating the song writing portion of the program, as well as other local musicians, teachers, and principals in each school.  Lauren Ornstein and Tracey Shipley are Israel based MiC staff who, along with Todd Mack help to arrange and coordinate each of these programs.  Without this incredible team, none of this could happen.  Nimrod Hay Krispil has been a tremendous asset to several of these programs.  I am honored to work among such talented team!

 Each program pairs a Jewish and an Arab School with 7 students from each.  Students in these 2 programs have written one song each over 2 days, "Forget the Fight" and "Together, Beyachad, Ma'an".

While tensions are palpable, especially in Jerusalem but even somewhat here in the Negev, the resounding theme among the students is that the world see the beauty, hope, and intention that exists here across cultures and religions.  They are very vocal about feeling that they have a choice to take a different direction than their parents, grandparents, and ancestors.  I commend the schools here for empowering them to think beyond the status quo.  They seem to be heeding the call and are very open to meeting one another despite their fears and judgements.  Once they do they begin to talk and their curiosity fuels an incredible creative process.  These songs are truly their collective voice.  They work incredibly hard through it all right to the very last moment.  It's quite magical every single time.  These schools and these students are not deterred from connecting with one another and hope to be a model for their elders and leaders.

All of this validates the evolution of MiC from that backyard jam into this direct work with youth in such a conflicted area.  They are grateful for the opportunity and accept it as a responsibility.

The students often turn the camera on me and the other facilitators with questions of their own.  They really are thirsty for understanding and information to develop their own perspective and perceptions.  They want the world to know their stories beyond the headlines.  We are hoping to share their voices in these images and videos to a worldwide audience. 

We have 3 more programs ahead, as well as a reunion with our international delegates from the 2014 Youth Summit.  Staying connected and fostering continued interaction and collaboration between our students is an important part of MiC's work.

I have so much more inside, but for now I'll say thank you for your interest and support of Music in Common and I hope you enjoy these little bits of what we are up to.  

You can see more video and photos on our Facebook page with or without an account at: https://www.facebook.com/MusicinCommon  

Peace, Salaam, Shalom ~ L

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Making music
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Song in progress

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11/4/2014

Journey

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This week I’ll board a Turkish Airlines flight from New York to Istanbul, with a final destination in Tel Aviv.  With an intense and ambitious schedule, Justin Hillman and I will travel to several areas of Israel and Palestine making music and video with paired Jewish and Arab high school students, visiting old friends and meeting new friends.  
In the weeks since my journey has come up in conversation with various friends and strangers, I’ve come to instinctually hold a breath in wait for their inevitable responses, which in one of 2 phrases is delivered with some passion.  “Wow, that’s exciting!” or “What are you, crazy?!”

I don’t think I’ve directly answered any one of them out loud, yet in truth the answer to both is “Yes!”  Yes, I’m excited about the journey that will begin with a long crowded flight that plays uncomfortable tricks on the mind and body.  Yes, I look forward to the relative stillness as we travel literally through space and time to give undivided attention to the mission at hand.  I recall the food on Turkish Airlines to be very good… so that’s also something.  In my life that is reliably full and hectic and diverse, I am drawn to this window of opportunity to immerse fully in the momentum of this work.

To those who ask,  “Are you crazy?” I might well respond, “More so than you know.”  The experiences of my last two entries through Israeli customs were enlightening by all means.  My last name is Najimy, which is undeniably Arabic. Lebanese to be exact.  "No, I have not been to Lebanon."  "No, I don’t have contact with family still living in Lebanon."  "No, I can’t recall the name of my grandfather’s birthplace."  "No" to the other questions that might have offended, discouraged, humored, or enraged me.

My decision to lead this tour did not come lightly.  After much consideration and due diligence to be informed and aware of current tensions and risks in the region, and with eyes, mind and heart wide open, I discovered that the journey that has led to my being faced with this decision at all, is precisely the reason I am compelled to do it.

2014 marks my 7th year with  Music In Common (MiC).  Todd Mack approached me in 2008 with the story of his mission to strengthen communities through music to honor the life of his friend and band mate, Daniel Pearl.   What began as a backyard jam in 2005, had evolved at that time into a tour of 17 FODfest concerts in 18 days on the east and west coasts of the United States.  That adventure was my initiation.  It was magic.

Todd's inspiration was reverence for how his friend lived and to speak out against the very public atrocities that claimed Danny's life.  The many artists' and audiences' motivations seemed to come from their passionate faith in the power of music to heal.  Mine was a conviction that we are all in this together and that our stories shared in a collective creative process is a path to making a better world.  Whatever it was that brought each of us to this work has fueled an unstoppable momentum to implement music and multimedia to positively effect change in people and in communities.  Since that time we have toured and developed programs with youth, artists, organizations and communities in the U.S., Taiwan, Israel, and Palestine.  

To say I am proud of our work, or that everyone should support these efforts, or that I am involved in something profoundly meaningful, or even to claim this is my passion, all seem to be trite and self-serving rhetoric. I do this work not because I am an Arab, not because I am not a Jew, not because of any political or religious convictions, and not because I have anything in particular to offer.  I do it because I am a human being and this is ultimately the human spirit of love, compassion, and connectedness at work.  
This summer MiC hosted our first International Youth Summit at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.  This was an ambitious and challenging endeavor, intensified by its direct timing with active conflict between Israel and Gaza.  After nearly 2 years of planning, in the weeks leading up to the Summit we questioned if we could actually pull it off.  Our team in the U.S. and in Israel struggled and juggled with logistics, students’ and parents’ fears, cultural tensions, programming, and concerns for safety.  Yet fueled by our collective mission & motivation, we prevailed!  
The task at hand was for the group to collectively write a song and produce a music video.  The demands of collaborating on a creative project are challenging in any scenario.  To do so among an unlikely gathering of Jewish, Muslim and Christian teens, many who were acutely concerned about tensions at home, and in such a short period of time required a heightened commitment from participants and from our skilled staff.  All rose to the occasion!
PictureMiC International Youth Summit Concert at The Guthrie Center

The students together chose to write a song about their vision for how personal change can lead to global change.  Their song and video, “The Change We’ll Bring” reflects their own belief in the power each of us has to initiate an alternative, non-violent solution to conflicts in our own lives and in the world.
The community was incredibly supportive and welcoming to the MiC Delegates, greeting and interviewing them, hosting and facilitating events, discussions, dinners, and a concert.  A documentary crew came by to produce a short video, "Harmony In Tragedy", that was featured on Huffington Post.  All of this acknowledgement moved and inspired these young people tremendously, knowing that their time, effort, and song had already touched people.  They were justly recognized for their contribution toward a better world.

As we said “Salaam, Shalom, and Peace” on the last day one delegate said, 
“Our song and video out in the world will remind us and anyone who sees it that peace is possible.  If we can do it together, the rest of the world can too”.
We feel it is our responsibility to carry this message forward and to cultivate the seeds that have been sown.  We are planning more of these cross-national programs in the U.S. and in Israel for 2015.  But for now back to the trip at hand.

When the time came to consider if I would not only make this trip but to lead it, I first took time to check in with myself to see if I was prepared to take on the inherent complex responsibilities.  My role as the Arab also played a significant part in this decision.  Todd Mack is a Jew, both of our staff in Israel are Jewish.  If we are seeking to promote cross-cultural unity then our own cultural balance truly matters.  It inherently strengthens and validates our very foundation in ways that all the peace-talking video-making good intentions can’t reach.  

I recalled the delegates I had met and come to love this summer.  I looked at photos and reread their notes asking when they would see me again, Habibi.  I wondered if their experiences have stayed with them and in what ways?  I felt a pull to find out for myself.  

I also thought a lot about my Dad during this process and looked to him for guidance. With my Dad’s illness in 2012 and death in January 2013, I was not capable of taking on the emotional, mental, and physical intensity of MiC’s two trips to Israel in 2013.  Both of my parents have always been faithful advocates of Music in Common and believed in the impact of all aspects of our work.  My Dad was a man of quiet strength and unassuming service to others.  He is the reason I am Arabic.  He is the reason I am not a terrorist.

I am dedicating this trip to Dad and his legacy of love and service to others.

Our objectives for this tour are twofold.  We will bring five MiC Youth Songwriting and Multimedia Programs pairing among 11 Jewish and Arab schools.  I will also film for a short documentary, recently funded by a supportive and generous donor to Music In Common.  This is an incredible opportunity to reconnect with the Youth Summit Delegates and to have them illustrate the tangible impact that has evolved from these projects over the past 10 years, from a backyard jam to a non-profit organization providing a platform for making peace through music in the U.S., Israel, and Palestine.  This project will continue when we return and is schedule for completion in April 2015.

So, yes I am cautiously excited.  In so many ways this journey has been well underway for years and to disembark now would the crazy part.  Wish us well.
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For more about MiC's mission, work, and current and upcoming programs, or to volunteer please visit MiC Website. 

To see the many videos produced in our programs over the years, please visit MiC's YouTube Channel.

I plan to write about my experience on this tour at Beansprout Productions Blog.  
We also invite you to follow Music In Common on Facebook. 

Tax deductible donations to support Music In Common's work can be made at Music In Common’s website.

PEACE * SALAAM * SHALOM ~ L

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    L Najimy

    In addition to sharing random musings, Beansprouts Blog will offer ideas, tips, strategies, and reflections on multimedia production, social media, and other insights. 

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