Shalom (hebrew and means peace, used as hello and goodbye)
Israel is an amazing place! – That needs to be clear. It’s all coming back to me now why I dreamt of going back after beeing here on vacation 5½ years ago. The sun, the heat, the delicious falafels, hummus, very friendly people, fascinating historical monuments, interesting and difficult tensions especially when it comes to religion and politics – this describes very well some of the impressions I’ve had so far.
The first couple of days have been very instructive and busy. I have, together with one of the newly recruited in the Youth department of the Danish Israelmission, been introduced by David, the danish pastor, to many of the partners we have here in Israel. As a board member of the Youth department I know these by name, but it means a lot to see their faces, listen to their stories, their work, their challenges and their views about the whole conflict. I have among others met employees in both the Israeli and the Palestinian Bible Society, in Musalaha (reconciliation-work between Israelis and Palestinians) and in the Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies. Additionally, I have visited two of the places to which the Israelmission send out volunteers. Akim – rehabilitation for intellectually disabled people, and Maon Gilo – a home for handicapped people. It’s a very good and important work they do there.
How am I changed by Israel so far? …Well, my skin has a different color, and I sweat more… 🙂 but all the people I’ve met, and the conversations I’ve had has certainly made a great impression on me as well, and I have the feeling that the stay here will change me in so many ways.
Israel experienced by Heidi 