Twenty years ago I rented a room off an art student in London. He was enrolled in a film course at St Martin’s College, I had my first job at the British Film Institute – we had a lot in common and a great time together. Sadly we lost contact when he moved back to Israel.
By chance we re-connected over the internet a few years ago and finally I got to meet my friend Ofer again this month in Jerusalem, where he works in a beautiful hotel in the German Colony. I had a fantastic time -Ofer is the best tour guide ever.
I also have come a step closer to getting THE LUCK OF THE WEISSENSTEINERS translated into Hebrew.
But back to my holiday. I was asked to write about my experience, so here goes:
Not only is Jerusalem a wonderful
city with a lot of historical sights, it has, as we all know, a long history of conflicting interests. While out sight seeing, watching TV and mingling with the locals I learned a lot about the issues and was reminded of some truths and also about some wrong assumptions I have made. Without becoming political, here are some observations and thoughts which I hope won’t offend anyone.
First and foremost I got to understand just how fractured the many religious, political and population groups of the city are within themselves.
For example, while out in an orthodox neighbourhood I was told that some people didn’t want to speak Hebrew because for them it was the language of the socialist and Kibbutz culture and that they spoke Yiddish as a political statement. Since publishing this article I’ve been told that this assumption is wrong and that the group doesn’t speak Hebrew because it is the language of the bible.
This just as a small example to show how divided and sub-divided the groups can be. That shouldn’t come as a surprise.
But it is easy to forget when you see headlines and politicians state the case for their people or their nations. That is the joy of Democracy and its processes that an elected leader is lucky if he can speak for 50% of his people (or 50% of those who elected him). When politics and religion overlap it’s even more complicated.
Throughout my stay I was surprised at every corner at the multitude of attitudes towards the conflicts and more so at the great humanity within the population.
According to ‘various gospels’, humans have shown their best and worst sides in this city. This tradition continues.
During my stay a saw a TV programme about a group of Orthodox Jews who came under attack in a hostile territory but then they were saved by a Palestinian family and given shelter in their home until they could be brought to safety.
The following day I got caught by group of Arab woman who demonstrated outside the Wailing Wall and frightened visitors by shouting at them.
An eight year old boy was arrested by the authorities for throwing a stone.
The best hummus place in town, a small shop with just a few seats was amongst the most welcoming places. Ofer and I were the only non Arabs in the establishment and we couldn’t have felt more welcome. During a street party in the German colony Arabs, Christians and Jews were mingling.
There is still a lot of political work that needs to be done but there were great moments of hope.
I remember Eurovision 1982 well. Love the song . PEACE.. would be nice. I found your post fascinating. So glad you reconnected with your friend Ofer.
I was astounded by “They spoke Yiddish as a political statement” because of my pre-Israel research in the UK
It must have been so fascinating to touch your roots Christoph. Glad you had a wonderful time.
Thanks Catalina. OIt was fascinating and wonderful. Thanks for the re-blog 🙂
I didn’t realise about that part of your research. So much still to find out about you
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Really interesting. Thanks for sharing. Coincidentally, a couple of hours ago, I heard this story on the radio. http://www.npr.org/2015/09/22/442441801/a-street-divided-explores-the-history-of-an-arab-israeli-no-mans-land
Thank you – listening to it as we type. Very interesting 🙂
Great! 🙂
Reblogged this on TheKingsKidChronicles and commented:
Regardless of your political views, Israel and the U.S. are connected spiritually. Not liking it doesn’t change it. Personally, I love Israel and wish I could go some day. This was a remarkable journey for Christoph. May he have many more re-connects with his friend, Ofer.
Hi, Christoph. So glad you were able to reconnect with your friend, Ofer. My brother-in-law goes to Israel for two weeks every summer with the FCA group (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), where they teach basketball camp to the Palestinian and Jewish children. He’s been doing this for about nine years now and always come back with great stories of comaraderie, and great photos as well.
Thank you for the re-blog and the comment. I’m glad to hear about the basketball camp. Every little thing helps to build bridges 🙂
Thanks so much for the insightful post and truly amazing pictures. Everything is always more nuanced than our sensationalized news bites give us. I miss the old in-depth analysis that gave a broader (and more human) view of the world. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks. I so agree. Good journalism is rare, particularly in TV 🙂
Enjoyed your article on Jerusalem, which addressed many signigicant topics. So tell me, where is this hummous place?
Christoph… I really, *really* enjoyed this post. Thank you so much! Mega hugs.
Thanks Teagan, I’m glad to hear it ❤
I’m pleased you had such a great experience. And thanks for sharing the wonders and the difficulties. A fascinating place throughout history and no doubt it will carry on being that way.
Thanks Olga 🙂
Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: and commented:
Fascinating post
Thank you 🙂
Interesting article. I lived in Afghanistan for several years and wrote two books (one fiction, one non-fiction) in an attempt to show that what the media presents is far from the whole story. And they will always focus on the sansational rather than the everyday.
Thanks Mary. Sadly, very true 🙂
Loved what you write! Just a small correction,: The extreme Orthodox Jews who do not speak Hebrew but Yiddish do so because the Hebrew is the language of the Bible and not because of the Kibutznikim.
Thank you Revital. I amended the paragraph. I’m glad you liked the post 🙂
Nice share her Christopher on the many sides of the politics in this small but mighty country. You brought back memories of my first visit to Jerusalem. 🙂
Thank you. It is a great place. 🙂
What a great experience, Christoph! Thanks for sharing…