At the sea
I must have been to the Tel Baruch Beach in Tel Aviv thousands of times. But today, I had the time of my life. I started volunteering for Min el Bahar.
Min el Bahar (From the Sea) is a program which provides Palestinians from the occupied territories a fun day at the beach. Accompanied by two wonderful nuns, a bus transports them from one of the despicable roadblocks in the occupied West Bank to Tel Aviv where a group of volunteers (me included) greets them and, together we have a wonderful day at and in the Mediterranean.
Today on my first day, I served as a volunteer life guard, and my tasks included coaxing them to take their very first footsteps into the sea. It was so good to see and feel the sea via their eyes.They had never been to sea before; they were born in the wrong place and on the wrong side of history.
3 girls pointed to a few high slippery rocks which were off limits. They asked me if we could sneak away and take some pictures from the rocks. I agreed and we stole off. The nuns and lifeguards all called us back, but we took some pictures anyway and ran back, laughing. All 3 girls thanked me effusively for the rest of the day, often smiling at me. When they got on the bus, I got a few winks!
I saw one girl who was trying very hard to swim and kept swallowing the ocean! I gave her a short lesson (knees straight, hands cupped, breath properly) and she then swam at least 500 meters on her own. A real “batal” (champion in Arabic)!
Over the past decade, I have read almost all of of Hans Fallada’s books, one of which, “Alone in Berlin (Everyone Dies Alone) ” describes the heroism of people trapped in the tyranny of a fanatic political regime. Fallada has inspired me to think about what can be done under a regime of oppression.
Unlike Fallada’s characters, I am not a hero. But today, I did not feel like an oppressor. I felt I was doing what I can, at grass root level, to create contact at a human level. I will never forget today.
They saw the sea, and I felt free.
Hans Fallada ששונות זעירים
My dearest friend Allon,
Your pure heart and illuminating mind are what seduced me about you when we met in Poland. I still carry with me your blessing as we visited the j
jewish cimetary in Cracow.
Today I am honored to share your freedom and express to you my deepest love.
Lévis
Thanks so much Levis. Too bad we live to far apart
Inspiring, and a reminder that each one of us can always do something, at some level, to help our fellow man and show compassion and humanity. Thanks, Allon.
Thanks so much Thor.
Alon,
Your post has made my summer. I can think of nothing more human and humane than splashing around in the ocean. It is salt water that ties us together. True justice starts with small, human, steps.
Thank you.
Sylvia
There is a long was to go. The situation is appalling.
Very inspiring! I hope i can join you on day…
I love the happy look on your face! Water – so much meaning on so many levels. Connecting is one of the most honourable!
Sorry I missed you – next year we’ll share our books.
Gita
Indeed a VERY happy day.
I am very proud to call you friend. On many levels.