Arab and Jewish students and teachers in San Dimas are currently forced to sit back and watch their homelands suffer from thousands of miles away but are still making sure to keep their heritage close. For many students, staying connected to their roots isn’t the hardest part, but the feeling of hopelessness that comes from witnessing all of this violence from afar. Even while being thousands of miles away, the current events in the Middle East have had a profound impact on their lives.
“I know I will never see it the way my dad grew up, and I feel like I would see a new part of me if I were able to go to Lebanon,” Senior Julia Elfahl expresses as she describes the disconnect she feels with her Lebanese heritage. Elfahl’s experience is more unique, growing up in a Mexican and Lebanese environment, the balance of those two cultures while also living in the United States is a challenge.
Yet, Elfahl doesn’t let that challenge stop her from embracing her Lebanese heritage; She describes how her father’s stories growing up have had an impact on her. “The way my family stood together when they immigrated and worked so hard,” Elfahl shares, “It definitely inspires me.”
San Dimas High School alumni Claudia Hirezi shares that her Palestinian heritage is something she will forever be proud of. Hirezi says that she feels “anger and sadness as well as just feeling heartbroken for Palestinians living back home,” and these are all feelings of grief. When asked the best way to stay updated on the news, Hirezi shared that, “Social media gives you those who are actually experiencing this a chance to share their stories.”
Lone Hill English teacher Alicia Saldana describes how she is holding onto her Jewish faith while witnessing the violence. “When times get tough, connecting to the happy memories I have celebrating holidays or singing prayer with my family can cheer me up and make me feel more connected.” Saldana explains that with the ongoing violence, “I don’t know how to process it, except to try and have compassion for everyone involved.”
Saldana turns to family, friends, and even her students during difficult times like now, and all of these people give her hope that moments like these will heal, and her faith most of all keeps her grounded and secure.
These events are not going to stop anyone from embracing their culture and heritage, and for some, it’s even making their connection stronger. Sharing your support for those who are currently going through struggles like this is important checking in with friends and doing your research on this complex international issue is essential. Making sure to listen to the individuals who have been affected is equally as important. Many are holding onto their cultural identity with resilience, and the hope for peace on all sides to soon appear.
