Shimon Sibony, the wife of a Sephardic cantor, prepares a traditional Jewish dinner setting for her family.

In the Old Testament, the story of David and Goliath remains a memorable tale of struggle and determination. David, a teenage Israelite, fights against the giant, Goliath, and successfully kills the threatening monster. In relation to the Middle East, Israel has always remained the “David” when facing its “Goliath,” the partnering Arab nations. In the new documentary The Original Promise, executive director and host Doug Kooy uncovers the secrets, customs and ongoing disputes in the controversial Holy Land.

The pro-Israel documentary kicks off with the statistic that one out of four people gets angry when they think of Israel. The introduction then continues with interviews on how ignorant people are about the conflict in Israel (perhaps not such a surprise). When random strangers were questioned about how they envisioned Israel, the answers were very unsatisfying. While some people picture Israel as a land of camels and turbans, others consider it a mass war zone with suicide bombers. Not surprisingly, many people admitted their personal opinions came from media sources and not firsthand accounts. Similarly, when an Israeli was asked how he and his mother envisioned America before they came to the States for the first time, he was convinced it was also exactly as the media portrayed it: full of homeless people in subway stations and rampant serial killers.

In the 60-minute film, Doug Kooy ranges from discussing Israeli food to local nightlife and the controversial politics in a flourishing economy. Even though I’m not the completely uninformed target audience for this film and my preconceived notions weren’t drastically transformed, I’ve never traveled to Israel, so watching the documentary gave me a virtual experience of the many aspects of Israel. The Original Promise also discusses more productive ways to connect with Arab nations. Some Israelis have gone to the extent of organizing businesses whose missions are to attract Muslims and Jews. The belief is that through common goals, an imaginary bridge will be formed to unite both nationalities. Whether it’s through business or something as simple as a cultural interest in food, many Israelis are convinced that through small, common interests, peace can become achievable.

Kooy also delves into how Israel’s political structure ties into Jewish philosophy. The film uncovers how the Jewish idea to make something big out of life was carried out by the formation of a successful democracy. Furthermore, when it comes to freedom of worship, Israel hosts a variety of faiths, including the three largest: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. However, the difference between Israel and other neighboring nations is that it welcomes the freedom of peaceful worship of these faiths, unlike intolerant countries like Egypt and Lebanon. And Kooy emphasizes that the main purpose of the creation of Israel’s army was not to initiate battle but to instill a strong sense of security in Israeli citizens.

While the film focuses on many positive aspects of Israel and is well-suited for an uninformed viewer, it doesn’t fail to mention the negative aspects as well. I appreciated that the film didn’t overlook the modern-day Palestinian conflict and the disputes with other Arab nations. It’s apparent that Kooy put his heart into this documentary to give everyone a clear and honest view on modern Israel. Through strength, determination and innovation, Israel continues to grow as an international leader and a social and economically prosperous nation. In case you’re still questioning what The Original Promise really is, the answer is simple: it’s a promise of home.

Alisha Kinman is a freshman at Santa Fe College, majoring in journalism (public relations). Aside from work and school, she loves politics, dancing, writing and spending time with her family. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.