A Universal Language

After the chilling visit to Yad Vashem, we experienced the opposite. We went to an immigrant absorption center (Mevasseret Zion). It is a place for new immigrants to Israel adjust to life in the country – usually for six months. They learn Hebrew, learn about the culture, and are generally eased into their strange new world.

The one we went to is dedicated now to Ethiopian Jewish refugees. Given the totally different world into which they are coming – from out of the ruralest (is that a word?) parts of Africa into a very large, cosmopolitan nation, the absorption process has been extended to a year. We first heard from two Ethiopian young women who came over in the first wave in 1985 (or so) as young children. Very compelling story about leaving their town at night, walking to the Sudan border, using the excuse of a wedding (they were dressed nicely) to get through, and then spending a year in a refugee camp. She also said that when she landed and saw all these white people, she exclaimed “I thought we were going to Israel – where are all the Jews?” She didn’t realize that her fellow Ethiopian Jews looked a bit different than most Jews.

We then went to a kindergarten that is part of the absoption center. The kids were so excited to see us that they thronged around, showing off. Several of them loved it when I was taking photos; they were mugging for the cameras. Finally, I kneeled down, beckoned one over, spun her around, and put her on my shoulders. Bedlam ensued. But, it was the best kind of bedlam. The other kdis crowded around my fellow consultants, shouting cries of joy as they were lifted up on to shoulders. We all gave them short piggyback rides, switch them out, and pick up another kid. Everyone was laughing – a really joyful moment after the sorrow of Yad Vashem.

(I know the blog is jumping around a lot, but Wednesday was the morning I went running in Jerusalem, so with all the lifting of the kids up and down, I got both cardio and strength workouts.)

That was followed by a stop for lunch at a nearby shopping mall, before heading down to Sederot (see earlier blog post).

So, I know what you are thinking. When the blog post title is “A Universal Language,” is Glen (that’s me referring to myself in the third person, but it is reflecting your thoughts, if you can follow my thoughts) talking about love or about piggyback rides. If you answered “both,” give yourself an extra credit of ten points.