Rehov Caspi, a magnificent street in the historic Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem, stands as a testament to the unbreakable spirit of Israel. Once situated at the tense border between Jordan and Israel, this street bears the marks of history, with trenches running alongside the apartment buildings. Yet, despite the shadows of the past, it sat atop one of Jerusalem’s majestic hills, where nature flourished, and life was vibrant. I was blessed to be a small part of her story, if only for a short time, but long enough to call it home for more than a year.

Never in my life had I felt such unadulterated happiness as I did on that street. My best friend, Martin , the son of the former Dutch ambassador to Israel, lived in the house next to ours. We played ping-pong in the shelter of their home, with an unparalleled view of the Dome of the Rock and the Old City—an ancient Jewish stronghold that has remained the heart of our people for millennia. We ran through the empty apartment buildings still under construction, oblivious to the weight of history beneath our feet. I remember discovering an old watch in one of the trenches. Only now do I realize, with a........

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