Suad Amiry described the Jerusalem Project's goal as humanizing, "in a positive way, to show everyday life through people's work, craft, and artistic expression". From the readings I have come to the conclusion the ethnographers of this project were passionately determined to humanize Jerusalem. Jerusalem has been known as a disputed territory, a center of three religions, a historical landmark, a politically charged landscape, but when do we speak of the people who reside on the land?
Another moving piece presented in the writings of the Jerusalem project was the poem by Amichai, "You see that arch from the Roman Period? It's not important! But next to it sits a man who brought fruit and vegetables to his family." Amy Horowitz definition of the redemption, "the coming of humane values and situated understandings...paying attention to the everyday acts of ordinary people" also brings to question, what is Jerusalem to us, to the world, to its own people?
Horowitz speaks of folklore ethnography, the research basis for the Jerusalem project, as the voice of "contentious truths of daily life, rather than official policies and idealized misrepresentations of reality". The ethnographers followed, "bus lines, demonstration lines, punch lines, and headlines" to find a way to contextualize the actuality of life for Jerusalemites. The researchers found many cultural, linguistic, and enviormental intersections between the Palestinian and Israelis. From similar kitchens, to popular meals, language, and limited water supplies to their communities.
The ethnological research introduced cultural parallels in a disputed land. These parallels are precious, ancient traditions which are close to all Jerusalemites. These identities are highly valued by the people and when we can show the cultural intersections among Israelis and Palestinians, we can bridge the gap in relations. Religion, language, tradition, and culture has been used in a negative light in the time of occupation. Culture and tradition has become politically charged and motivated to show the difference and inequalities among the people of the city. The researchers of the Jerusalem Project accomplished something original and profound. They took these traditions and showed how interconnected the communities really are, to humanize Jerusalem, and shift the perception of the wall between two peoples.
