SARAH STEEGE
Wow! Israel is such a diverse country. The more I’m here, the more I fall in love with the people and the land. Unfortunately, this feeling is not what the media portrays where I come from. My name is Sarah Steege and I’m a German exchange student here at Beit Berl. This is my last year of studying education for high school. I am now trained to teach English, history and economics.
Beit Berl is such a diverse place. I have met some of my best friends here. I have learned to build relationships more than ever before as Daniel Portman, who is one of our English professors said, “the people in Israel are relationship-oriented compared to the western countries who are more time-related.” Living in this country, I sense that relationships are the center of life. Over time, I have have felt the impact and enrichment this place has had on my life. Furthermore, I have had the experience of living with Jews and Arabs and other ethnic groups. Each of these groups has a rich, individual culture that stands out. One precious aspect of this country is the warmth and hospitality I have encountered. Moreover, being straightforward and direct is very common here. For example, one time I was observing myself when a car drove towards our car. I rolled down the window and shouted “lama?” My friends just said, “that’s so Israeli.” Besides the many funny stories and exciting trips that drew me to this country, there is one major reason that brought me here.
In 2010, I had a very unique experience with an exchange student from Israel to Germany. After getting to know my exchange partner, Tamar, we went to Auschwitz together and walked through it “yad b’ yad”. In Auschwitz, I felt horrible knowing that my great-grandmother had been involved in the Nazi-party. I felt guilty and shameful although I knew I didn’t have any responsibility for the Holocaust. Heartfelt, I asked my Israeli partner for forgiveness, I felt that I was representing my ancestors and my nation. What happened next strongly changed my perception towards the Holocaust, towards Israel, and towards my personal life. Tamar hugged me and released forgiveness. This experience took me to a whole different level.
I choose to believe in partnership. Both nations and cultures are bonded in a special way through the Holocaust and both suffer and remember the past.
Different questions started to arise. What if? What if we bear this burden together? What if we make all these efforts to remember the past in order to create a more productive and significant future? After the Holocaust, there was such a desire and outcry to bring forth life.
Even today, there are many opportunities to create something together that will help advance the spirit of life and serve those in need. There are different examples that support this approach. One of them is that the German and Israeli governments have agreed upon launching bilateral cooperation such as the “Israel-Germany Africa Initiative.[1]” This organization helps Africa adapt to climatic changes and also helps to try to reduce and prevent further destruction. As we know, it is very important that governments are active.
How can we as individuals also contribute to make this world a better place? “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.[2]” I am reminded by writing this article of the hope we all have for a better world. How are you going to take action? I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Beit Berl is such a diverse place. I have met some of my best friends here. I have learned to build relationships more than ever before as Daniel Portman, who is one of our English professors said, “the people in Israel are relationship-oriented compared to the western countries who are more time-related.” Living in this country, I sense that relationships are the center of life. Over time, I have have felt the impact and enrichment this place has had on my life. Furthermore, I have had the experience of living with Jews and Arabs and other ethnic groups. Each of these groups has a rich, individual culture that stands out. One precious aspect of this country is the warmth and hospitality I have encountered. Moreover, being straightforward and direct is very common here. For example, one time I was observing myself when a car drove towards our car. I rolled down the window and shouted “lama?” My friends just said, “that’s so Israeli.” Besides the many funny stories and exciting trips that drew me to this country, there is one major reason that brought me here.
In 2010, I had a very unique experience with an exchange student from Israel to Germany. After getting to know my exchange partner, Tamar, we went to Auschwitz together and walked through it “yad b’ yad”. In Auschwitz, I felt horrible knowing that my great-grandmother had been involved in the Nazi-party. I felt guilty and shameful although I knew I didn’t have any responsibility for the Holocaust. Heartfelt, I asked my Israeli partner for forgiveness, I felt that I was representing my ancestors and my nation. What happened next strongly changed my perception towards the Holocaust, towards Israel, and towards my personal life. Tamar hugged me and released forgiveness. This experience took me to a whole different level.
I choose to believe in partnership. Both nations and cultures are bonded in a special way through the Holocaust and both suffer and remember the past.
Different questions started to arise. What if? What if we bear this burden together? What if we make all these efforts to remember the past in order to create a more productive and significant future? After the Holocaust, there was such a desire and outcry to bring forth life.
Even today, there are many opportunities to create something together that will help advance the spirit of life and serve those in need. There are different examples that support this approach. One of them is that the German and Israeli governments have agreed upon launching bilateral cooperation such as the “Israel-Germany Africa Initiative.[1]” This organization helps Africa adapt to climatic changes and also helps to try to reduce and prevent further destruction. As we know, it is very important that governments are active.
How can we as individuals also contribute to make this world a better place? “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.[2]” I am reminded by writing this article of the hope we all have for a better world. How are you going to take action? I’m looking forward to hearing from you.