"Are there also shelters there?" – that's what young Israelis from Kibbutz Magen wanted to know first and foremost when they heard about the idea of a trip to Germany. They recently spent a peaceful week's vacation in Grimma without the roar of helicopters and detonations, but with birdsong, fun and wonderful experiences. They were invited by the town council. "October 7 affected us deeply, as our twin city has a special relationship with Israel," said Mayor Matthias Berger. The project was actively supported by the Grimma-Gezer partnership committee, by Silke Polster from the Diakonie Leipziger Land and with a great deal of voluntary commitment from the Monday prayer group, which was formed around the church district social worker after the terrorist attack on Israel.

Together, they put together a program with excursions to the Belantis amusement park, Döben Castle, Dresden and Saxon Switzerland, a rubber dinghy tour on the Mulde river, a reception in Grimma town hall, get-together evenings and a Shabbat celebration with many interested people who prayed to the common God of Jews and Christians before the meal. After the ceremony, Liraz, a teacher and one of the mothers who had traveled with them, described the situation in Kibbutz Magen (Hebrew: "shield") in moving words. After the unusually violent rocket attack on October 7, the security team saw from a hill what was coming towards them from the nearby Gaza Strip: "3,500 terrorists were everywhere, at the same time, on all the main roads on their way to every settlement. They had blown up the fence at the kibbutz and were trying to infiltrate our homes."

The security guards, two of whom paid with their lives, defended the kibbutz to the best of their ability for many hours before the army finally arrived. Two days later, they were evacuated to the Dead Sea and were only recently allowed to return home. The children attend a joint school with the neighboring kibbutzim Nir Oz and Be'eri, which were even worse affected. Among those murdered and abducted are many of their classmates, friends, acquaintances and relatives. "We are happy that we survived and are now building the future of our community together," says Liraz. The short vacation in Grimma was a small milestone on the way from the trauma of October 7 to a normal life. "They are starting to argue again," said the parents who had traveled with them with relief.

"I think it was one of the most important things the children have done to date. You took them in your arms and hugged them so tightly. The families who stayed behind witnessed this embrace and felt their warmth in the pictures and videos. You have allowed this group of amazing young people to forget the war, their hardship and their struggles for a few days and that is so meaningful. A thank you doesn't seem enough to express how we feel."

— One mother from Israel after the trip

The gratitude is mutual. "Our problems are put into perspective when we are together with you," says Matthias Berger. The meeting was also good for the young Germans, who experienced the entire week and made new contacts. "When you hear personal stories and get to know people, you can break down prejudices, develop understanding and show solidarity," explains Silke Polster. The idea of enabling Israelis to take a break and meet people in Germany is spreading. Interested parties have even come to Grimma from Saalfeld, Torgau and Weimar. The next ideas have already been born.

© Diakonie Leipziger Land