Where there is will there's a way by Orna Naor
1– About two years ago I arrived as part of a humanitarian mission to a Palestinian family in the Jordan Valley. Before we left, the family's mother asked if we could help them with school bags, but the delegation already had other plans. I thought immediately about remembering my Jewish friend, also from the Jordan Valley, and asked her if we could transfer the bags. She happily complied. And that was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Regarding the reality in Israel, every visit we make involves risks on the road. And yet, for over a year, we made sure to visit at least once a month.
2– At each visit we brought basic necessities, clothes and toys that people donated. Every game became a great joy; Adults and children with different worldviews, different beliefs and religions, play with each other and laughter spreads everywhere.
3– Sometimes they took us to hidden corners of paradise of flowing water and hidden landscapes. Places only the locals know, secrets of beauty.
4– Even the cars we came with turned to a play ground where children are playing and bonding.
5- Another time we took them to eat at a restaurant; for the first time in their lives. They were not familiar with the idea of sitting at a table and someone serving food, and cleaning after them. The little girls cleaned every crumb from the table themselves, as they were brought up to.
6- Over time we became true friends. We write to each other every morning, asking each other if everything is okay and even exchange recipes. At every meeting she prepares her wonderful food; Even special dishes for me, the vegan. Regardless of what she has or doesn't have, she pulls out delicious and comforting dishes from under her hands.
7– This true friendship even stood the test of war. The Palestinians could not leave their homes, their work was stopped, and they were left without a source of livelihood and without food. In this difficult time we still managed to find ways to help them. sometimes at risk. But the love and concern for their safety prevailed over everything. After almost 3 months, we were able to visit them again. We stood hugging each other, crying. It was so full of emotion, so full of love. We missed each other so much!
The importance of the story is actually that this is possible. People can be just human; Just being human towards each other. If we adopt ways of compassion, inclusion and understanding, we can all just live. Here and everywhere
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At each visit we brought basic necessities, clothes and toys that people donated. Every game became a great joy; Adults and children with different worldviews, different beliefs and religions, play with each other and laughter spreads everywhere.
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3
*** 3
Sometimes they took us to hidden corners of paradise of flowing water and hidden landscapes. Places only the locals know, secrets of beauty.
***
4
*** 4
Even the cars we came with turned to a play ground where children are playing and bonding.
***
5
*** 5
Another time we took them to eat at a restaurant; for the first time in their lives. They were not familiar with the idea of sitting at a table and someone serving food, and cleaning after them. The little girls cleaned every crumb from the table themselves, as they were brought up to.
***
6
*** 6
Over time we became true friends. We write to each other every morning, asking each other if everything is okay and even exchange recipes. At every meeting she prepares her wonderful food. Even special dishes for me, the vegan. Regardless of what she has or doesn't have, she pulls out delicious and comforting dishes from under her hands.
***
7
*** 7
This true friendship even stood the test of war. The Palestinians could not leave their homes, their work was stopped, and they were left without a source of livelihood and without food. In this difficult time we still managed to find ways to help them. sometimes at risk. But the love and concern for their safety prevailed over everything. After almost 3 months, we were able to visit them again. We stood hugging each other, crying. It was so full of emotion, so full of love. We missed each other so much!
The story highlights the possibility of humans being compassionate, inclusive, and understanding towards each other, enabling us to live together peacefully, both here and everywhere.
