Ahead of Jerusalem Day, let me pay tribute to a unique institution in this unique city – the local branch of the international YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association). When dedicating the building in 1933, Lord Edmund Allenby, the British general who led the conquest of Jerusalem from the Ottomans in 1917, declared: “Here is a place whose atmosphere is peace, where political and religious jealousies can be forgotten, and international unity fostered and developed.” His words were immortalized on an Armenian ceramic plaque in three languages – Hebrew on the right, Arabic on the left, English between them – greeting all who enter the compound.

Had Allenby found himself in the YMCA sports center during a siren alerting us to an incoming missile from Iran, he would have seen his vision realized. In the safe area, he would have found Jews and Arabs, Muslims and Christians, religious and secular, diplomats and tourists. All sharing the same desire for a healthy body, all waiting to hear that the episode is over and it is safe to exit.

Three languages are spoken by teachers and toddlers in the “Peace........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)