Servas Israel - International Hug Day

Servas Meeting in Jerusalem Promoting Coexistence and Peace

21^st June 2009

Sunday the 21^st June was the longest day of light and the shortest night of the year. It was indeed a bright day in Jerusalem full of light and sunshine.

Despite the heat, and the long distances, more than 30 Israeli Servas members from Mitzpe Ramon in the South to Mitzpe Abirim in the North, arrived at the Gloria hotel in the Old City, at twelve noon.

After welcoming the participants and reading a letter from Chaim Murik, the Chairman of Servas Israel, Claudia Sagi, Peace Coordinator and Servas coordinator of the Sharon area, gave a short presentation about mutual respect and coexistence between different ethnic groups in the Bible and in the Koran.

Naim Da'or arrived from Hebron with his wife Rana and spoke about his hopes to organize a Palestinian Servas Organization.

Adena Levine, director of the YMCA Peace Preschool, where Jewish, Mos and Christian children play side by side, spoke about the educational challenge of coexistence, and the strive for mutual respect between the parents and teachers of the three religions. Explaining that children play together easily, accepting one another openly, whereas it is much more difficult to bring the parents together.

Seven visitors from the Netherlands, including the organizers of the Jerusalem Hug, participated in the meeting. Their leader, Rob spoke about the aims of their activities to promote peace and entertained us with two original songs of peace and togetherness.

As always the participants each brought their specialties: salads, sweetmeats, and goodies to be shared at the common table, eaten on the balcony roof overlooking a magnificent Birdseye view of Jerusalem. Our guests joined in the spread and treated us to delicious Dutch cheese, breads and biscuits.

The last hour was spent sharing thoughts and experiences, as Servas hosts and travelers. Several subjects were put forward for future discussion, including:

Attracting young members-

- Promoting new members and awareness of Servas and its aims

- Servas as a Peace Organization

We invite members to continue these discussions via the website.

It was a moving afternoon, getting to know one another a little better, our similarities and our differences. Later we joined the Jerusalem Hug Peace Activists at the Jaffa gate, singing and dancing around the gigantic two meter wide drum.

Many thanks, to all the organizers and participants.

We hope to see you again soon at the upcoming Servas activities,

Meir and Lesley Hayoun, Servas coordinators of the Jerusalem area
Claudia Sagi, coordinator of the Sharon area and Peace coordinator of Servas Israel

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