Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem Blog

In addition to my work as a business coach, one of my interests is blogging about life in Israel. This is a country full of contrasts – over eight million citizens living in an area the size of Wales. You can see snow and the lowest place on the globe in the same day. Although surrounded by geopolitical extremes, Israel has achieved a decade of high economic growth. My work brings me in contact with an array of new companies, exciting technologies and dynamic characters. Sitting back with a relaxing cup of strong tea (with milk), you realise just how much there is to appreciate in the Holyland. Large or small operations, private sector or non profit, my clients provide experiences from which others can learn and benefit.

Elwyn serves more than 3,000 children and adults with disabilities throughout Israel. Headquartered in Jerusalem and with centres throughout the Holy Land, Elwyn offers employment opportunities, vocational training, educational support, sheltered housing and more to a population that it is easy to ignore. Since 1984, Elwyn has ensured that thousands have found their way to become near self-supporting, when otherwise they would have had no place in society.

In recent years, I have been honoured to have played a small backroom role at Elwyn. It has been a fascinating experience, observing how the facilities have progressed. Time and again, statutory agencies such as the Ministry of Welfare have almost come to depend upon the organization, especially as it provides services for Muslim communities in East Jerusalem and minorities groups like the Druse in the north of the country.

The cross over between the ethnical divides is fascinating. It appears to be seamless, although it is the result of detailed professional work. The top team includes the observant Jew, the secular non-Jew and most ‘creatures’ in between. It is surely a lesson for most other countries in the Middle East. Elwyn simply strips away the stereotyping that journalists try to attach to Israel.

I dropped into Elwyn earlier this week, just as Israel is about to celebrate her 67th Independence Day. However, it must be stressed that Elwyn is not an isolated drop of racial harmony.

  • The commander of the crack Golani infantry brigade, Ghasan Alian, is a member of the Druse community.
  • Salma Fayumi is a nurse and was the runner-up in the reality TV programme ‘Master Chef’.
  • Dr Aziz Darawshe heads the Emergency Unit at Hadassah Hospital, arguably the largest medical unit in Jerusalem.
  • Israel’s amabassador to Norway, member of the Supreme Court, head of the Achva Academic College and…etc, etc,etc….. all come from minorities in Israel.

It is a very, very long list. In the words of a newspaper columnist, it is “simply inspiring” that a young female Arab journalist, Lucy Aharish, has been chosen this year as one of the celebs to light the traditional beacons of Independence, a ceremony broadcast live on national television to a large audience.

Sadly, there are still those that seek to portray Israel as openly and overtly discriminatory. Yes, the chanting at a couple of football grounds is to be deplored. However, that does not mean that Israel is some form of “catastrophe“. And as for claims of ‘ethnic cleansing’ – such as those offered in the UK’s Guardian newspaper – the brilliant efforts of Elwyn, Alian, Darawshe et al reveal the immorality and baselessness of such diatribes.

Israel at 67 has come a long way since it was invaded by its neighbours in 1948. It has more to learn. With the Elwyn’s of the country to guide, the Jewish state has a strong future ahead, one that can be shared by all.

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