Living In My Own World

Last night I attended the massive rally that took place at Rabin square in Tel Aviv with my sister, an English teacher at an Israeli high school. Despite minimal promotion and a Euro 2008 game against Russia that was broadcasted at the exact same time  (Israel won 2:1, by the way), more than 100,000 people showed up to show their support for the teachers’ strike currently taking place in Israel (tomorrow entering into its 40th day).

As you may know, some of the changes the teachers are demanding include the following:

1. smaller classrooms (25 children in a class as opposed to a whopping 40)
2. longer school hours (that’s right, the teachers want to add the school hours that have been cut recently due to budget cuts, and give the children the comprehensive education they deserve.)
3. higher salaries (my sister holds a Masters Degree, devotes all her time - both at school and after school hours - and devotion to her students, while trying to juggle a family of 3 kids.. and still earns significantly less than most people she knows. Even those who barely have a high school degree.
4. better teachers (Too many teachers today are bitter, lazy or impatient.  And unfortunately, with salaries like that, some of the best, most intelligent, most devoted teachers are often forced to change careers in order to make ends meet.) 

And so I came to show my support along with the rest of you. 

I was there: I saw you. All of you. Not only the teachers, but the students, the parents, the grandparents, the musicians who came to perform. I saw your devotion and I felt your hope for a better world. I saw people who were willing to put everything else aside and fight (I use this term lightly, because there was no anger or violence) for what they believe in.

And most of all, I saw you, the children.

I saw you showing up in masses on a Saturday night to hang out with your teachers and support them in what they deserve.  I heard your powerful speeches as you represented your schools, your generation and the generations to follow.  I saw you holding signs, singing songs and speaking out.

I saw the unconditional love that you carry in your hearts, and I know how tough that is growing into a society that is constantly under stress or conflict.

I saw a generation of children that are here to make a change. A generation that is willing to take a stand and BE the change that they want to see in the world.

YOU have the power to make a difference.  And you know it.

You are all beautiful souls, and I believe in you; each and every one of you.  Our future, the future of this country, lies in your hands. And for that, I am so grateful. Really, I am. Because I know that you are not going to put up with the way things are much longer. And not just as far as education is concerned but regarding every other change you wish to see in your future.

You are a kick-ass generation and I am proud of you.

At one point, as the thousands of children danced, smiled and sang along to one of the many famous artists who volunteered for this cause, my sister turned to the kids and said to me:

“Look at them… They’re amazing. That’s why I want to be teacher. There is nothing in the world that I would rather do more.”

Originally posted on OneJerusalem

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