| A PRAYER FOR PEACE from OVER THERE |
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Dana and Gili Aisenberg sharing the warmth from the
hand knitted prayer shawl gift from afar
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THERE doesn't seem to be a dull moment when dealing with groups of youth and adults from abroad visiting Israel.
THERE always seems to be so much to explain, stories to tell and tales of the people one has met over a few decades of walking the none too fine line known as the Green Line and in latter years, the security fence a short journey from Givat Haviva.
THERE have been many emotional moments shared with the thousands of folks from overseas who have spent anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks on seminar with us in the International Department.
THERE have been moments when I have also not only shared my stories with people, but also decided to spare them by not telling more!
THERE would be enough material to write a book just about the interaction between myself and those from abroad had I been keeping notes since entering the realm of informal education, first for 15 years with Ulpan students and volunteers in my kibbutz and for the last 20 years working at Givat Haviva.
THERE, however, is something I want to share with you as my American visitors would say – this is the story of a prayer shawl, a very special one indeed and presented to me – and another to my colleague Myriam Brenner-Degan - by a lady who was with an interfaith group from the States visiting Givat Haviva last month.
At the end of their visit to Givat Haviva the lady, whose name I don't even know, presented me with a beautiful hand knitted shawl and explained that the person who had knitted it in the States had said a prayer over each row of knitted stitches making up the enormous soft and warm woolen shawl.
When I got home I found a card inside the shawl. Handmade by Susan Hiatt it says in one section and on the other printed the following:
"This shawl has been made for you with loving hands from Mountview
Whether knitted or crocheted, it's intended and made lovingly for you.
Our hope is that this prayer shawl brings you comfort and healing this day,
For it is a gift for your healing, this is what we all want to say.
Knitted inside this shawl by the knitter are healing prayers spoken,
To help ease pain and help a spirit that may be sadly broken.
It has been blessed by the knitters with prayers for you today,
So wrap yourself inside this shawl, it was made to be worn that way.
We hope it brings you comfort as it comes to you today,
Know that you are loved by all of us, for your peace and healing we pray."
If by any chance anybody reading this might know Susan Hiatt from Mountview then please tell her how much we – myself, daughter and grand-daughter Gili – appreciate the warmth given by the shawl on chilly nights and above and beyond the physical warmth extended by her handiwork, the warmth and dedication of such a caring human beingover THERE who is praying for peace over HERE.
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