From the highest point of Masada, looking out at what remained of the Roman siege camps, I could almost taste the fear of what they thought themselves to be—the last true Jews. Running from their counterparts' greed and ambition, their only thought was to survive and to carry on the Jewish culture that the others had corrupted. The camps and siege ramp were the most prominent instigators of these feelings. They instilled in me such a sense of reality that the talk of war, rebellion, exile, and a Jewish state stemming from Jewish History class was true that it became almost overwhelming to think about, and the only thing that brought me back to reality was Aaron passing out dates to the class.

Following Jewish history class yesterday, where the issue of intermarriage and continuing the Jewish line arose, a fear settled over me that had to do with the end of the Jewish people. They are a line that had endured for so long and through so much that it just seemed inconceivable that now, in the midst of their prosperity, they would simply cease to exist. The facts were sobering as well. A mere 20% of children with intermarried parents will go on to start a Jewish life. Additionally, while the average reform Jewish family has 0-2 children, the average orthodox Jewish family has around 10. Soon, all that will be left are orthodox Jews, and after that, none at all. Though it won't happen in my lifetime or my children's or even grandchildren's, it is ironic to think on the fact that now, when Am Yisrael is not enduring a time of torment, a time of persecution or war against the Jews, a time of peace and comfort where Jews are leaders in society, the Jewish population is slowly becoming less diverse and plentiful. It does not scare me—"Oh no, what is the world going to do without Jews!" (No.)— it just shocks me that the oldest and longest surviving religion is nearing its final destination, and that my generation sees the end. I am scared that after we are gone, after there are no more Jews to carry on traditions and keep our ethical monotheism alive, the world will portray us in a bad light, spit on our names, stamp us into the dust. Why do I care? I guess the best answer would be "the future holds tentative surprises and apprehension—no one knows what it will look like", but that would still not fully explain this strange and irrational fear I have for the nearing of the end. Time always holds the answer, so time will tell.

Jews are not the same as Israelis. This basic statement at times is only understood by few, leading us to treat them as one and the same. This can be extremely embarrassing if called out on. For this reason alone, the talk of Israel in the US has become more sparse—merely because of the general public's fear of messing up. Jews and Israelis are generally grouped together, though a Jew is not necessarily Israeli and an Israeli is not necessarily Jewish: a vital point to understand. Only in a perfect utopia where the public is perfectly educated can totally factual debate happen or opinion be developed.

This is not the only reason causing diminished talk of Israelis, more specifically the silence ensues when the conversation shifts to Palestinians. In addition to the natural fear of embarrassing oneself, adhering to public opinion is not always the right thing to do... but it can be the easiest. Because of this, many Reform and Conservative (and some Orthodox) rabbis have completely stopped taking positions on the Israel-Palestinian conflict after outrageous and even violent actions followed sermons on the matter. Should rabbis stop trying to involve Israeli politics in their synagogues' Jewish settings, and be obligated to give sermons related to Judaism, or should they continue giving sermons on whatever they please (be it Palestinian-Israeli conflict to rising grape juice prices) because of their right to free speech? Which is more important—the aspect of them that is American, or that of being Jewish?

Walking through the old city of Jerusalem, streets I had seen many times before struck me this time as truly being old, historical, beautiful. I had visited Jerusalem before, but I had never experienced this level of realization until now. Either I was not mature enough then or did not appreciate the wholeness of it. As we toured side streets, alleys, and underground passageways, the ancient walls of the city rose up around me, and I became immersed in history that took place thousands of years ago. I was the onlooker, the outsider, the infiltrator of a holy sanctuary in which I shouldn't belong. To one side, a tourist shop selling shiny chamsas and kippot—the other—ruins of a massive wall that once kept King David safe from the Phillistines. I was walking on the stones of history, in the footsteps of old, Jerusalem's past merging with its present until they became one and the same, almost indistinguishable. After this, I don't think traditional classes will be very meaningful anymore...

When Israel's Iron Dome took effect and the Palestinian terrorists were dissuaded from their bombings, did terrorism in Israel stop? Of course not. They have just discovered new ways to instill pain into our society. The dissatisfaction has spread so far that Palestinians have gone to such desperate measures—to kill our innocent—in order to get their message across to Israel. And Bibi Netanyahu, quietly sitting in his office thinking on the day's events recognizes this, but does he spring to action and create some sort of plan, an agreement, guideline... something? No. Instead, Israel is made to live in fear day and night, never at ease, truly the country surrounded by enemies.

Dafna Meir and Shlomit Krigman, two wonderful Israelis, were added to this list of hate and frustration against their will. They simply happened to be in the wrong places at the wrong times. Israel does not have to sit idly by and watch this happen however. We can take action and force the Palestinians' hands. Perhaps all they want before they leave us alone is their two state solution. And if not this, at least someplace to start. Dafna Meir and Shlomit Krigman will not have died in vain.