Michael Harris (right) with Palestinian businessman Hasan Manasra outside the successful carpet shop he has in the Israeli part of Barta'a (Western Barta'a)

 

During July and the beginning of August, Manchester University history graduate Michael Harris, led the BBYO ATID tour from Britain.

A day on the itinerary and somewhat hectic schedule for the 23 youngsters – almost all of whom, including Michael, were from the London area – saw them on campus at Givat Haviva where they attended a seminar organized by the International Department.

For Michael Harris the day was somewhat like a walk down memory lane as five years ago, the then high-school pupil was just 'one of the boys' on the BBYO ATID Israel tour for that year and would seem that the experience left a lasting impression and he immediately expressed his delight at having the opportunity of making a return visit this year, this time as leader of the BBYO pack!

The 2006-2007 president of the Manchester University Jewish Society, Michael will shortly be taking up the post of British BBYO (Bnei Brith Youth Organization) national movement worker and after the recent Givat Haviva seminar – incorporating a talk from Lydia Aisenberg, meeting with Israeli lawyer Amir Gara, an Arab Muslim from the local village of Jatt, and also participating in a tour of the region that included a visit to Barta'a village.

In the village Michael and his BBYO charges had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian businessman Hasan Manasra outside his rather colorful carpet shop in the Israeli portion of the divided village.

Hasan Manasra is a native of Hebron but has been running his carpet business in West Barta'a for quite some years, the first 3 without permission to actually be in Israel.  Briefly explaining that he now had the all important paperwork necessary to make his presence in West Barta'a legal, when asked if he would like to say anything in particular to a group of British Jewish youth on summer tour of Israel, in faltering Hebrew Hasan said;

"The future is in the hands of our young people and Israeli youth like yourselves, and I really hope that they will find the way to come together in peace, something we all want but have so far have not been able to achieve," the carpet salesman from Hebron, who is the father of a teenage son, told the visitors from afar but with many friends and family living in Israel.

The Israeli tour guide for the BBYO ATID group Yoav Biller has been at the helm of many groups from abroad coming for a Givat Haviva experience in the general basket of their Israel Experience, the name of the tour operator who arrange their educational program here in Israel.

Last year Yoav guided another of the many British groups we see on our campus - especially during the December/January break and summer periods – the Union of Jewish Students.  Entering the International Department offices with Michael Harris, both Yoav and Michael were glad to see faces they recognized from among the scores of photographs of overseas youth cramming the colorful notice board, among them students from the UJS and many others.

Hopefully we will see both young men back visiting us with more groups in the near future.

 

        

Israel Experience tour guide, YOAV BILLER, points out to URI BAREL of the International Department, youngsters Yoav guided in recent years and whose photos he spotted among the collection on the office notice board

 

      

A Welcome to BBYO ATID from Israel Experience on the front of their bus, and right – Yoav Biller (left) with the BBYO ATID 2009 Israel Tour at the Katzir vantage point with the village of Barta'a down below