Brigid Murphy and Rhea Lieber

Recorded July 19, 2018 47:30 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id: chi002636

Description

Rhea Lieber (18) and friend Brigid Murphy (18) talk about their big change coming up: graduation, their experiences at Hands of Peace and their thoughts on what the impact their camp dialogues will have on the "conflict" between Israel and Palestine.

Subject Log / Time Code

Brigid Murphy (BM) reflects on her upcoming transition into college. She says she still feels like she's in high school but really she's going away to Richmond, England in several weeks. Rhea Lieber (RL) also talks about her upcoming first semester at Tuft's University and the changes moving away will mean for her relationship with her boyfriend.
BM BM describes her friendships as "floating." RL talks about her relationship with the state of Israel, how she considers herself pro-Israel and how challenging Hands of Peace dialogues are for her. RL describes how her father thought she would become "pro-Palestine" but instead, how reinforced the concept of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people has become. RL has even considered joining the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
BM and RL talk more about the challenges with dialogue sessions at Hands of Peace, especially as Americans who do not live the day-to-day reality of "the conflict." Additionally, because of their "pro-Israel" feelings they said they had a more difficult time in dialogue.
BM and RL talk about how they learned the importance of listening even "when you vehemently don't agree." BM says she learned that in conflict it is ok to be confused and ask questions. RL talks about conflict as a step towards progress-- though she doesn't think there will ever be a "solution."
RL and BM reflect on the limits of Hands of Peace, and if its all for naught. They reflect on the fact that in a couple weeks they will be entering dorm-life in their first year of college, their Israeli campmates will all be entering the army and their Palestinian campmates will go back to their life--- and then what? RL and BM are still searching for a reassurance that the program had an impact and created change.

Participants

  • Brigid Murphy
  • Rhea Lieber

Recording Locations

Chicago Cultural Center

Venue / Recording Kit

Partnership Type

Outreach