The group "Young Ambassadors" from Holon, Israel, met for the second time with their partner group from Berlin in October 2017. The groups had already completed the first half of this exchange in Holon earlier that year. From October 2nd to 9th, the Berlin participants fulfilled their part of the exchange, exploring Berlin and engaging with at least two cultures. Partly in English, partly with the help of interpreters, it was easier to overcome the language barrier. The program included artistic workshops that the young people attended, culminating in a final product: a comic book, a dance piece, or a rap. Everything was presented at the final presentation. The group also visited the city center several times during the week for sightseeing and exploration. Together, they celebrated Sukkot and Shabbat.
A particular highlight was the guided tour on the last day of the exchange, led by the group "Ghetto-Streber" (Ghetto High Achievers). They took the participants to various locations in Wedding, such as the Gesundbrunnen Center and a section of road that was originally built in Berlin solely for "guest workers." Perhaps the most impactful moment for everyone was when the "Ghetto-Streber," all of whom have a migration background and therefore led a very personal tour with open dialogue, took the group to a Muslim prayer room, which, typical for Wedding, was located right next to a Catholic church. Here, quiet yet profound discussions took place about Islam, Judaism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, other cultures, refugees, and the feeling of being a stranger in one's own country. We hope all participants took home many cultural impressions and will cherish the memories for a long time.