Why The World Needs "The Volunteers."

I sent this photo to a Japanese friend.

"Dubai?"
"No, that's Tel Aviv, Israel"
"It is totally different from how I imagined it to be. It looks flourishing."
"Hey, that's rude! I'll send you more photos."
"I've never been abroad, that's why - send me more and show me the world."

The current situation in Israel is viewed by many through the lens of misconception. My friend, for example, was honest enough to admit she knew nothing due to lack of exposure and understanding; while others, protested and screamed at the top of their lungs either because the mainstream media bombarded them with falsehood or because everybody was doing it so they must be right - the next fad in social justice.

I believe that it is our duty - those of us who've seen and been to ground zero, those of us who understand, those of us who went through something similar - to show the world (a.k.a our neighborhood) what the truth is.

And that's what "The Volunteers" is. 

 -- Nini Takahashi, Volunteer from Japan