Jerusalem today is far from the vision of peace that the Prophets have promised us. Those of us who live here know that nothing erodes the sanctity of this place, but we also know that things are not as they should be. From the Temple Mount, inside the Walls, to the Knesset outside, competing with the holiness, there is an atmosphere of intimidation, fear and hatred, enforced and spread by threatening, ugly language. And while we cannot create peace internally, there is also the threat from Iran, whose leaders could be convinced that razing the holiest city on earth would bring about the yearned for end-of-days.

No wonder we cannot convince tourists to visit or students to enroll in short-term programs here.

In the nine days of deep mourning, filled with a sense of loss and yearning for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, I returned from abroad, bringing with me hope and holiness from outside. The Elijah Interfaith Institute, which has held an annual summer school in Jerusalem for years – or on Zoom when conditions prevented that – decided to take our students to a different holy city this year.

Assisi in Italy is the birthplace of St Francis, who loved all of creation and its Creator and demonstrated his love through kindness to people and animals alike. Assisi this year is marking 800 years since Francis’ death. His spirit and that of his follower and Saint in her own right, Claire, have imbued this city with a sense of holiness and peace. Whereas in Jerusalem it has proven impossible to create our dreamed of centre of HOPE – the House of Prayer and Education – in Assisi, with the support of the local authorities, we will soon open the Global House of Friendship and Hope. We held our summer school in Assisi.

Our students were Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist, all people of faith and all ready to........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)