Earl Shugerman’s Corner: The Focolare Movement

Earl Shugerman will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel.

I feel that this is the most important article that anyone could write about life in Israel. Israel is a multi-cultural nation of roughly seven million citizens. Israel is the Jewish homeland but not a Jewish Country.

Roughly one fourth of Israel’s citizens are Muslims, Christians, and Druze. We all manage to live together in a fairly democratic society that is going through its’ share of “growing pains”. The majority of Israelis participate in activities to build an even more democratic society.

I want to thank my friends at The Focolare, The Ahmadiyya, and my mentor Rabbi Edgar Nof for inviting me to share in these inspirational efforts. Rabbi Edgar is the spiritual leader of Or Hadash synagogue in Haifa and a community leader in interfaith activities. He and his wife Devorah are American “olim”.
 
The author of this column had the privilege of participating in the first activity of its kind {to our knowledge} in Israel. I attended this years annual Focolare convention from July 30th until August 2nd, 2009.

The venue of choice was Nes Ammim, a Christian Kibbutz and Interfaith peace Center. Jews, Muslims and various Christian denominations attended from Israel and Western Europe. This was the first time that these groups participated together in this annual event.  
 
This 4 day convention was based on the central tenet of The Focolare – Unity for all mankind. This organisation, which operates in 183 countries worldwide, advocates the Golden Rule.
 
The Focolare Movement crystallised during World War II. In the face of abject misery and darkness, Chiara Lubich was imbued with renewed hope. The light of religion smiled upon her. As her home of Trente was gripped in conflict, she found comfort in the teachings of the Gospel. Love and the Divine were the twin bastions for unifying a disparate and belligerent world. Focolare literally means Fire. It’s warmth and illumination were born out of the last embers of humanities darkest hour.

Focolare Founder: Chiara Lubich

In 1948, the State of Israel was established. After the wanton genocide perpetrated against the Jewish People, it was a cause celebrate. Following two millennia in the Diaspora, the descendants of Judea Capta could return to their ancestral roots. However, the country was relatively impoverished and large tracts were denuded of forestry. Furthermore, bellicose neighbours threatened the fledgling entity and disrupted the lives of all its citizens.

Nes Ammim

In a demonstration of affinity for the new country, European Christians settled in Northern Israel and embarked upon the construction of Nes Ammim. The eponym means “banner of nations“ (Isaiah 11:10). It was indicative of the diverse Christian population, who were major proponents of the Jewish State.
 
In a series of dialogues, we discussed The Focolare’s affiliates and activities. We encouraged everyone to become acquainted and sought ways to find common ground. Furthermore, those present entertained an informal discussion about spirituality.

I left the dialogues having benefited as an individual. I came to understand that true spirituality starts from within, but is greatly enhanced by sharing with others.
 
The highlight was a Christian group of German teenagers singing “We will Overcome“ in English and German. Children from other organisations sang spiritually uplifting tunes in Hebrew, English and Arabic. More than anything, watching the enthusiastic kids made the seminar a wonderful experience.
 
The old adage of “a small world“ springs to mind. One German youth had toured the US. Whilst there, he indulged in the delectable dishes of my favourite restaurant in Houston. Evidently, neither of us claim a Texan heritage. What were the odds on both of us having been there? As stated in my previous article, “ Food is the great universal unifier”.
 
The unsilent majority of Israel consistently promotes the notion of unity or “Ichud”. The domestic and international press seriously neglects this newsworthy item.
 
Our next column discusses the interfaith activities that American immigrants and I have been blessed to enjoy while building our lives in The Land of Canaan.

Earl Shugerman