Lila Steinbach's path to questioning the dominant narratives about Israel and Palestine was a deeply personal one, rooted in her own experiences and the evolution of her Jewish identity. As a young woman raised in a devout Jewish household, Steinbach's worldview was challenged during a senior class trip to Israel, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Uncovering Hidden Perspectives: A Generational Divide in the Jewish Community

Questioning the Familiar Narrative

Steinbach's upbringing in a Jewish day school and summer camps had instilled in her a deep sense of her Jewish faith and identity. However, it was during a high school trip to Israel that she first encountered perspectives that challenged the narratives she had been taught. Confronted with a peace activist speaking out against Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Steinbach's classmates reacted with outrage, while she found herself grappling with doubts about the history she had been taught.

Exploring New Horizons

As a first-year student at Washington University, Steinbach joined a liberal Zionist lobbying group, where she was exposed to histories and perspectives she had never encountered before. Through conversations with students from Palestinian backgrounds, Steinbach began to question the simplistic portrayals of the conflict she had grown up with. Her own attempts to voice her evolving views on social media were met with backlash from within her own community, further highlighting the deep divisions and sensitivities surrounding the issue.

Navigating Family Dynamics

Steinbach's journey of self-discovery led her to difficult conversations with her parents, whom she loves dearly. Showing them the film "Israelism," which explored the generational divide over modern Jewish identity, Steinbach braced herself for their reactions. To her surprise, her parents, while not fully agreeing with her, were willing to engage in the discussion, even if they preferred to avoid the emotionally charged topic.

Finding Unlikely Allies

Steinbach's exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict led her to discover unexpected allies within her own family. In a conversation with her Israeli American aunt and uncle, she was shocked to hear her uncle acknowledge that Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinians. This revelation further challenged Steinbach's understanding of the issue and the diversity of perspectives within the Jewish community.

Building Community and Advocacy

Steinbach's journey has led her to become more outspoken in her support for justice for the Palestinians, attending marches and using the term "occupation" in conversations with her father, much to his dismay. At Washington University, she helped found Jewish Students for Palestine, creating a space where she could practice her faith while remaining true to her evolving beliefs. However, this decision has come at a cost, as some of her Jewish friends have distanced themselves from her.As Steinbach prepares to begin law school, her commitment to human rights law reflects her desire to put into practice the values she has learned from her faith and her experiences. Her story highlights the complex and deeply personal nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the generational shifts within the Jewish community as individuals grapple with the nuances of this longstanding dispute.