In Israel the city of Acco is unique. It is one of the only cities where the Jewish community and the Arab Islamic community live in peaceful coexistence. They live in the same buildings and often go to the same schools. When Ramadan ends the Arab community prepares hundreds of kosher meals so the Jewish community can break the Ramadan fast with them. When Yom Kippur ends, the Jewish community extends the same invitation and hosts the Arab community to join their break fasts. Truly a beautiful and special city. One of the people responsible for this is Sheikh Samir Assi, the Imam of the al-Jazaar mosque. Today I had the opportunity to discuss with him race relations, what Jews and Muslims have in common and how we can join together to bring peace. He urged me to reach out to Muslim clerics in Montreal claiming that for every fundamentalist, there are ten moderates who are afraid to speak up but would be receptive to an extended hand. I am looking forward to accepting his challenge.
Later in the day I also had the opportunity to visit and pay a “Shiva Call” to the Druze family whose son died at the hands of terrorists at the Har Nof Massacre. I never knew that 99% of the Druze serve in the Israeli army; a larger percentage than the Jewish citizens. I visited with the parents, uncles, brothers and cousins of slain police officer Zidan Saif. The walls of their home were decorated with pictures of the men in the family proudly wearing their Israeli army uniforms. The one message they wanted me to share was that the government and the world Jewish community should never forget their loyalty and sacrifice that they make for the State of Israel. They serve Israel with love and dedication and want that to never be forgotten.
The day concluded with visits to two more Druze homes. In one home I met a Druze soldier who was convalescing after his arm was injured in a recent terror attack. I was brought to a second home because their daughter is very sick. When the family heard that I was going to be in their community they asked for me to come to their home and bless their daughter for a Refuah Shelema. I am bringing her name along with the injured Druze soldier’s name back to Montreal to add to our Mishaberach list at Beth Zion.
Today was a wakeup call for me that we can find partners on the other side of the table. Peace is elusive but not impossible. We need to be brave, be willing to take risks but as Sheikh Assi told me, “Never give up Tikva (hope).”
