Mystery from last Sunday's post is solved. A previously unknown to me reader kindly sent the answer in her comment.
So, why is this tree on the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University tilted?
Because on July 31, 2002, a bomb inside the nearby student cafeteria killed nine (including five Americans) and injured more than 80.It was at the height of the Second Intifada against Israel, which was especially severe in Jerusalem.
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The terrorist act also injured the Rothberg International School program for a while. Enrollment plunged from 600 undergraduate overseas students each year to less than 100. Many schools in North America banned their students from coming to this "dangerous" place.
To quote the JewishJournal.com link which the reader sent,
"In front of the cafeteria grows an unusual-looking tree: its leaves are hearty and vibrant but its trunk is tilted and its roots jet out of the ground at various angles.
'We have planted a living tree [as a memorial for the bombing victims] which is symbolic,' Hebrew University President Menachem Magidor said. 'Our roots were shaken but, just like the tree, we keep growing and going forward.'
. . . Magidor admitted that the desire to maintain an open and pluralistic feeling on campus, for students of all races and religions, may have blinded administrators to the security risks.
'The first reaction was shock,' he admitted. 'We knew we were not immune, but maybe we thought naively that the campus should be immune.' "
'The first reaction was shock,' he admitted. 'We knew we were not immune, but maybe we thought naively that the campus should be immune.' "
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Well, now it is 2009. When I came to the Mt. Scopus campus last week, it was a quick X-ray of my bag, and then I entered a beautiful and relaxed world of students--many Anglos speaking English or accented Hebrew, many Arab students, and even Jewish Israelis. All seemed happy to be students, happy to be alive and free.
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The explanation for the tree was very interesting. What a terrific symbolic idea. However, they should put a plaque or something out there so everybody would understand its significance.
ReplyDeleteI think the roots are fine.
ReplyDeleteWe are born free of prejudices and fears. As we grow, experience good and bad shapes us into what we become. It's our job to stay strong, to not allow experiences to shape us into ugly and hateful ogres, but instead into forgiving and loving humans.
Friends who survived the blast still are shaken--but not destroyed. May the tree's lesson daily remind us of our capacity to survive what comes.
ReplyDeleteMoving post, Dina.
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Shalom, to you, too! «Louis» was very happy to see you had stopped by!
I was touched by this story. Its always sad to hear about violence happening to innocent people. The tree is also such a good symbol. Hope the school will continue to push on.
ReplyDeleteInteresting explanation, Dina. I think that violence, any violence, besides being evil is also very stupid.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week ahead!
What a beautiful and poignant tribute. May those who were lost somehow be the last.
ReplyDeleteWell that explains it very well. It is also interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining this, Dina. A beautiful tribute, indeed.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely analogy for the tree, and what it represents.
ReplyDeleteAnd, what a lovely post, Dina.
I saw this tree memorial each time I went up to the Rothberg International School for classes. It was, for me, a stark reality of the situation in which we lived. Although a beautiful memorial that reminds us, life from death, growth from rotteness. Thanks Dina, I too, did a little research into the artist/designer who created this.
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