I have been active both here in Israel and internationally with both therapists and theorists who work with people suffering from trauma, specifically but not only in the context of animal-assisted psychotherapy. Five years ago, I became friends with a wonderful Muslim man from Syria who has made it his life’s mission to help people suffering from trauma. In one of my early conversations with him, he expressed his frustrations with certain restrictive elements of life in Syria and worried about his children’s future. I asked him why he did not leave Syria, like so many Syrians did. He answered that he loves Syria because it is his homeland. None of our discussions had opened up the reality that I was writing to him from Israel, and he was writing to me from Syria. In response to his comment, I dared say, “That is why I made aliya to Israel.” His response was “Of course! Israel is your homeland!” That was when I knew that we could open up and talk about anything, and we did!!! We have since become soul friends.

Right after the revolution in Syria, leading to the downfall of Assad’s government, I asked him if there was any hope for positive change in Syria, and even if maybe, one day, we could actually visit each other in each other’s homes. He answered: “One day, if Christians are allowed to celebrate Christmas, and an Israeli embassy will be opened in Damascus, I will then dare to hope that the changes in Syria will lead to a better future.” I asked him a couple of weeks ago how he sees things today, and if there is hope. This question led to many discussions, and together we eventually wrote an analysis of what was, is, and could be.

Arabs and Jews........

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