Hello everyone,
The truth is I wanted to write before but our lives have become busy in many ways. Not only in the personal sense, but also in the social, economic, political and global sense. Personally, if I once thought I could bury my head in the sand and ignore what is happening - now what is happening in all circles is already sweeping me too.
Meditation, tai chi and carrying peace
So now, I write and first of all - I really wanted to invite you to a day in the southern Hebron Mountains that will combine the two worlds of life: meditation, movement and touch together with the bridges that are built between people in the southern Hebron Mountains. If you are interested in joining me for such a day, please fill out the form and I will get back to you as soon as there is a specific date.
In the meantime, I want to tell you about some beautiful things we have accomplished in the field; First of all, we did not stop coming to the area in all these two years on a regular weekly basis. It was a good feeling of connection and giving but also a privilege to learn from the modesty and acceptance of the simple reality of the mountain dwellers. In all times of stress and closure we sat with a cup of tea, looked at the view and wondered how the world went crazy like that ....
Ahmed works!
Shortly after the holidays, Ahmed approached me and begged me to find him a job because there was no more money for food and medicine for the family. In his eyes, I saw the anxiety and fear. I gave at that moment an amount that would allow him to buy food for that week and as if from heaven David, a "settler" approached me who was looking for someone for a permanent job. Ahmed accepted the job to my delight. He told me that since then, he reminds me in his prayers every day. Hope and vitality returned to him and his family. David called me and said that he was happy with Ahmad that he was pleasant, hardworking, and enterprising and overall in the meantime they were doing well. By the way, the matchmaking between Ahmad and David was done by Sarit, also a Jewish settler, who went out into the field with me several times and responded to my call to find work for her Palestinian neighbors.
It reminds me that I told you about 5 people I was able to connect with a farmer (also a "settler"), about a year ago and they all still hold the job to my delight.
The issue of livelihood is critical in the region. Yesterday we sat down with 22-year-old Yusuf. He finished studying computers. Gentle, quiet, pleasant-mannered and speaks good English, recently married, but has no job at all in Palestine. He asked that we help him go out to work and no matter what, cleaning and agriculture are possible, too. However, it is also very difficult for those to get a job and work permits. I'm still looking for some startup or company that can hire him - even remotely. Any idea will be gladly accepted.
Sarah weaves rugs and dreams
Sarah, Ahmed's sister, is hardworking and talented in handicrafts. About a year ago, my son Andad taught her how to take old simple T shirts, and cut from them a thread from which she could weave potholders. In the meantime, we have gone through several incarnations both in thinking and doing and in understanding how to bring the product for sale to those who want it. She has a strong desire to develop in the field and help to support the family. If you have any ideas on how to promote it, we would love to hear. Here are some of her works.
Heart of the desert - a Bedouin hospitality tent in a Sinai atmosphere
A few years ago, I started helping with the connection between Falach and Bedouin in order to create a joint business for desert tourism. To my delight, Salem, Naief and Muhammad have set up a beautiful place that is developing very much in the last year and is starting to stand on its own two feet. The place is open to all: travelers, families, events and workshops. It is located on the landscape that opens to the upper channels of the Harduf River in the Judean Desert, in the direction of the Edom Mountains (in Jourdan). You can go for walks and rides, hold parties, Bedouin-Arabian meals, events and workshops.
Below are the phone numbers of the three brave partners, so you can come and enjoy a magical desert, and wonderful people. By the way, do not give up Naief’s coffee - the most delicious in the whole area!
Salem 0502169672
Muhammad 050-2234729
Naif 050-9775130
Peace Stand
Win Win can bring a business to success and on the way help deal with conflicts and problems that before that were unresolved. With the intention of both earning a living and bringing the residents of the mountain together, we set up a peace stand of various products that people from the southern Hebron Mountains produce. Slowly and especially before the holidays - Palestinian hyssop and wine from the Drimia winery in Susya are sold together and support the livelihood of both parties and along the way also a bit in projects that bring people and hearts together as I described above.
In the meantime it is sold mainly in the south, but there is also an option to deliver to Pardes Hanna. I do not have a reasonably priced arrangement for deliveries at the moment, but if you have you are interested write to us and I hope we can find a way to send you the products.
Among the products currently in stock: hyssop (zaata'r), wine, honey, Ethiopian sesame seeds tahini, Nigella tahini, pomegranate sauce, grape sauce, pickles and Sara’s potholders.
You can also buy a gift set that includes: wine, honey, hyssop, pickles, honey and potholders for 250 NIS.
Rania wants to paint
Rania - 20 years old, lives in a cave with her family who makes a living from simple farming. Since I know her, she has a strong attraction to painting. The last time we visited the family, she painted Simba and his father excitedly asked if I could help her sell it ... We bring her a lot of painting materials (very happy for canvases and good colors) and from time to time some crafty people come with me and give her tips. But we would be happy to find a permanent volunteer to help her develop.
Here are some of her paintings.
In the regular media channels, you will not hear about any of these. You will hear about a 4-year-old boy who was hit by a stone of drunk Hilltop boys..
But in the above article they did not tell about the fear of the Palestinians who set up a guard tent there 24 hours, did not tell about the "settlers" neighbors, some of whom are ashamed, angry and waiting for the opportunity to re-establish ties that were with their neighbors. To the trauma from the incident that happened to his neighbors...
If you come with me to the area, you will hear from the "Palestinians" that they know that it is not their Jewish neighbors, but outsiders who came to the place. But due to pressure from various organizations, politicians and diplomats who come to the area, a situation has arisen in which it is difficult to bring a cure to the area and rebuild trust.
What do I do? I sit with everyone and listen to the story and the pain. Trying to create opportunities for heart opening and human identification. Sometimes I am more successful, sometimes less, and then I realize that there are people who need more time and quiet.
My wife Eileil and Malia, who comes from Pardes Hanna, also joined me this year. Other friends join in from time to time and I invite you to come for one day and take a look at this world, which is in our backyard.
Citizens in the Land of No Man's Land - a photo exhibition by Haim Berman
As part of the 9th' International Photography Festival, Haim Berman, my teacher and student who joined me for a special day of meeting a good neighbor, presents a series of his works in the Photographers Community Exhibitions section. Haim is an avid photographer with a special eye for seeing what is self-evident in a new way.
The exhibition will open on November 17 for 10 days - and will be displayed at the Daniel Rowing Center, Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv. Highly recommended to come and see promises you visual pleasure with a pinch in the heart. Here are some words that Chaim wrote about the exhibition:
"I was invited to the meeting: Israeli left-wing activists,
Jewish settlers from neighboring localities, And Bedouins
from the extended family, all with children, all mingling.
People who came looking for a way to live together as
neighbors, despite the tough constraints.
People who prefer speech over fighting, and quietly defy
clichés Of eternal confrontation.
People who say "I belong to this land" instead of "this land belongs to me".
I had an educational experience. "
20 tons of kindness
In a general calculation of the exits to the south of Mount Hebron, this year we brought about 20 tons of equipment - clothes, housewares, house furniture, fire wood, everything from donations came or things that were thrown away and collected by us.
And now - how you can help!
In order for us to continue with all these initiatives, we also need financial contributions.
In the mass recruitment campaign I set up, I asked people to contribute with one cup of coffee a month ... To my delight, there are several people who accepted my wish and donated the price of a cup of coffee a month. Each such donation is very significant, because together - the donations enable support for the various projects. I want to thank again for the generosity and openness of heart of all who have donated and invite you too, to open your heart and give.
If you have not yet joined my telegram group - feel free to do so at this link.
This is a quiet group (comments can not be sent except to me). From time to time I send a report on the bearing peace in the southern Hebron Mountains and an invitation to joint meetings.
Feel free to share this with companies and friends.
Finally, I invite you again - to join me in the field for one day, to see in your own eyes.
See you,
Eyal
P.S
This time too the names mentioned here are fictitious in order to maintain the security of the people in their society. Unfortunately, there are those who see initiatives of caring and helping each other as damaging the identity and firm adherence to the principle of life (on both sides). Whoever join with me, I can assures you can see in the "white of the eye" and listen to the pain in the heart. It does not really need names.
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