If you haven’t been reading the Global Jewish Voice, our new blog run in partnership with AJC-ACCESS and the World Union of Jewish Students, now is the time to start. There is some terrific stuff being written for that blog.
Here’s one example:
Loudly Quranic in J-town
So I’m on the bus in Jerusalem and two loud American girls are talking in the seat behind me. I learn from their conversation that they are here studying in seminary for the year. The terms “amazing”, “life-changing” and “spiritualiz-ing” are sprinkled liberally throughout their conversation, which is broadcast to anyone within shrieking distance.
“And it’s not just Judaism” declares one. “I mean, that’s what they’re teaching us. But yesterday we went to the Islamic Art museum, just me and some friends, you know…”
“Oh yeah” gushes her friend. “I just love that. And you know, I’m actually learning a bit of Arabic at the moment?”
[…]
Like everyone else, I had been horrified by the 9/11 attacks. But mixed in with our horror was an undeniably piqued interest – we were appalled by the terrorists themselves, but fascinated to know more about the countries and culture from which they had emerged. Our TV screens reflected this fresh fascination, with a flurry of thrillers featuring Islamist villains, but also many documentaries on all aspects of Islam and Arab culture.
[…]
Still on the bus, I wonder if I am being overly cynical. Sure, they talk ridiculously loudly, but so what?
But then one of the girls lets go her coup-de-grace.
“And the Quran”, she says loudly, “it is so interesting. I read it in bed every night!”
[…]
You can read the rest of the post at the Global Jewish Voice.
