Two months ago, on 8 October 2023, I was stuck at Tel Aviv airport and struggled to get a flight home. The solidarity and compassion I received that day and the following days was overwhelming. And I dedicate this blog article to those people who lovingly accompanied me during these hours: Friends, relatives, acquaintances, clients, neighbours, former colleagues, old and new companions, my hairdresser Holger :).
Since my return from Israel, I have been in a kind of floating stage. My last trip changed me, which is not directly related to my war experiences. One day before the war broke out, I am sitting next to my German-Jewish friend Shelly in a café in Tel Aviv crying bitterly. Because I don’t want to go back to Hamburg. I am a Jew from my father’s side, who according to Jewish law, the “Halacha”, is not a Jew. So who am I? I love Israel and I feel that Israel loves me back. But what do I do with this hybrid identity?
Due to the war in the Middle East, my voluntary work over the last few weeks and my fundraising campaign, I have become more involved than ever with Jewish life and have met people who have touched my heart. The 7th of October once again makes it clear how much the Jewish people, the country of Israel and the military stand together. That touches me. And it’s like a pull that I can’t escape. So my personal treasure hunting continues.
Charlie Chaplin said on his 70th birthday: “When I began to love myself, I realised that I am always in the right place at the right time for every occasion and that everything that happens is right. From then on, I was able to be calm. Today I know: that’s called TRUST.”
It’s not courage that sometimes fails us.
It’s trust in life.
L’Chaim!