May 04 , 2009

Bethlehem University research project explores importance of Rachel's tomb

Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance…So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed but a few days to him because of the love he had for her.  Genesis 30:6

Cold cement walls, bright blue metal poles, plastic patio chairs and gaudy light fixtures create a scene that is more modern funeral parlour, less ancient tomb. 

The large gravestone is draped with a black cloth decorated in gold Hebrew print.  Over it is a protective plastic cover, like those used on furniture to prevent wear and tear.  Every so often a worshipper approaches and plants a kiss on the shiny plastic, rubs it and mutters a prayer to the woman thought to be buried inside. 

It is today’s Rachel’s tomb, a historical religious site for followers of Christianity and Islam, it is also a sacred site for Jews, who today control all access to it, despite its location on Palestinian lands. 

“Although this is her place, I feel as if Rachel is gone, she’s not here anymore,” said Mr. Andrea Merli recently, one member of a delegation from Bethlehem University to visit Rachel’s Tomb as part of the research project “Rachel: An Alien in her Hometown.”

Mr. Merli is working together with Dr. Inge Tiemann and Ms. Elise Aghazarian, to highlight issues surrounding Rachel’s Tomb as part of a research project which will involve several Bethlehem University students.  The students will conduct interviews, take photos and do research around Rachel’s Tomb in an effort to better understand the place of Rachel in the Bethlehem community. 

In recent years the historic tomb was separated from Bethlehem and completely surrounded by the 8-metre high separation wall that surrounds Bethlehem, declared illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2004.  Access to Rachel’s Tomb is now restricted to tourists entering from Israel. 

“The project involves a bit of history and a bit of fact-finding,” said Mr. Merli.  “Since the wall has divided Palestine and separated Rachel from the community she has always been a part of, we wanted to see how the people of Bethlehem feel about this loss.  We wanted to explore the idea of Rachel being separated from her home, an alien in her hometown.” 

The project involves several students and staff who will spend the next few months taking part in research about the site, which is also known by many Muslims as the Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque.  They will interview nearby residents, take photos and draw portraits in an effort to answer the question of whether Rachel is now an alien in Bethlehem. 

“The students will learn many skills, especially in the area of research,” said Dr. Tiemann, who noted the project has been possible thanks to a Bethlehem University research grant.  “They are currently having weekly workshops in order to better understand how to do this type of research.  It is a different kind of research, a type of advocacy that means a hands-on approach is needed.  I think it has been very beneficial.” 

Dr. Tiemann said she is pleased with the progress the group has already made. 

“We have interviewed several people in the vicinity of Rachel’s Tomb as well as taken photos of the cemetery nearby and other places around it,” she said.  “Those of us who are allowed to leave Bethlehem visited inside Rachel’s Tomb recently as well.  It was a sad experience.  The place doesn’t feel very holy.”

Nasim Abu Aisha, a fourth year student, said he got involved with the project because he thought it was an interesting idea and he wanted to learn the story of Rachel’s Tomb. 

“I was curious to know why this site was so important that it had to be stolen from us and a wall built around it to separate it from those who always lived near it,” he said.  “In the past I always went to Rachel’s Tomb for every holiday and to visit the nearby cemetery.” 

He said he finds the workshops valuable and he especially enjoys learning about photography and its use as a documentary tool. 

“I like taking pictures and learning that way,” he said.  “I’ve been able to find a story I’d never heard about before.  I never knew the true story of Rachel’s Tomb.  It’s just too bad I am only able to find out after it’s too late and now I won’t be able to visit it again.  I think Rachel belongs in Bethlehem, I think it’s a part of our history that has been stolen.”