Sulhita Surprise!
“What’s an Irish Catholic basketball coach from New York doing here? I was asked by local basketball reporter in Tel Aviv late November as we drove North to the 2nd Sulhita in Incense Route Khan near Eilat, Israel. “ You mean, again – right, man? For the best hummus in all of Israel, “, “Ok, Seriously. “, the retort. “There is something in depth and soulful about this place for me. Inshalla (Arabic phrase meaning ‘God Willing’) I want to make a difference,”– I answered in beat. I think I’m learning something from all these travels. The latest tour was 9 cities in 43 days and it covered as many lands as languages and faiths.
On my first Israel visit in 2003, while walking around the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, I heard a local apple cart produce sales lady holding a Condoleezza Rice newspaper cover screaming; “Down with A- mer- e- ka!” Frozen by shock- but not fear, I looked over in her eyes and toothless scowl. I did not smile; I did not engage. I sensed real helplessness and rage in her non-and verbal tone. It was it this moment; I began to wonder what makes her think this way? Interestingly enough, this is the third time Condoleezza and I have been in the same region at the same time – – I think she’s following me. J. As an American, it has been good to know we have some sort of continual regional strategy and dialogue.
Rabbi Sa’ar the new SULHA director met us. Team JDBASKTBALL included; Roy Mizlik (Rishon/ basketball coach and former IDF soldier:
Itamar Reik, (Macabbi Jr. player), and new to the peace hoop scene, KG (Tel Aviv) straight away off the minivan. In attendance were the usual players including; Ihab and Gaby. I had met the self described Sulha co-founder, hippie Argentine- NY- Israeli –Jewish- musician Gaby on the beach in Bet Yanai a year earlier. And ever since, JDBASKETBALL has become a staple in the yearly event that he (and his best friend) from Joffa, Arab-Muslim- hippie-musician, Ihab created 3 years ago. Since then, over 5000 people from all faiths, and nationalities partake in the three day understanding/ bereavement (part Woodstockesh) multicultural workshop session in the Israeli desert for peace. Additionally, Sulha conducts the Sulhita (mini-Sulha) for 100 (50 Palestine and 50 Israeli) teenaged youth twice a year.
Sulhita Surprise! I think that I get more out of Sulha workshops than the full participants. Soho, Balthazar, Setta Penne, and Harlem felt so distant as introductions were made to the kids. Hugs abundant as we proceeded to sit and partake in the circles of life and absorb the scene and dialogue. Basketball has taken me to the inner and outer reaches of humanity. I thought I’d heard all the stories from the streets of Brooklyn, Kosovo to Joffa and beyond—but never have I been so taken back as when I heard direct from the source. Listening to first hand stories from streets of Gaza and Ramallah and how friends and friends of cousins were being recruited to suicide bomb and the destruction of family homes by missiles is chilling. I heard violent stories from across the border as well. Almost braggart, after all kids will be kids—it was in these moments I saw fresh eyes of both cultures; looks and sensibilities of fear, confusion, terror, compassion and understanding and sentiment. Like, “We are young, we have to live with this, how can we do it—together – respectfully, peacefully? Let’s make a change.“
Sulhita Surprise—Inspiration comes from the strangest of places. A rock/ a pebble in the lake causes a friction— yet it becomes so clear in the desert darkness—things that happen here affect us back home and the liberties we take for safe and peaceful lives.
jdBASKETBALL is a simple operation, we just hoop. Up and down the makeshift court integrating teams, playing games as we go into the cold desert night. I asked for basketballs –we got soccer balls—then volleyballs — then basketballs. Shooting, Dribbling, Roy teaching, Itimar playing, coaches vs. kids. Setting up team leaders. KG running and taking pictures. Competing together in a protective environment having fun. Like a Banksy mural in on the Palestine wall, we left an impression, a talk-piece to start the weekend and break the ice. Concluding with a Mediterranean feast of vegetables, lamb, humus and mint tea. We left with optimism, and hope thinking, “If they can just play together. . . “, naïve and frieghtingly optimistic. But again, in that moment—the feeling was so real, so apparent, I remember thinking — does it really matter?
Sulhita Surprised me and reminded me, that we all have checkpoints to manage. Maybe these youth can be a catalyst for change? Maybe they can strand these moments upon moments and realize a little endearing can go a long way at their checkpoints.
Inshalla the world would be better for it!
To donate to the SULHA or SULHITA, please visit www.sulha.com.
Please stay tuned as JDBASKETBALL heads back to Bangalore India, February 5- 12, 2008.
For World Peace,
JD Walsh
‘Dialogue for mankind’
@jdbasketball