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How are Daniel and Merlin getting on?

Following the outbreak of the recent war with Iran, Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ASF) was forced to withdraw its volunteers from Israel. Due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding when a safe volunteer service in the country will be possible again, the two volunteers decided to continue their service in other countries. But how have they been doing since then? Daniel shares his experiences:

 

Two young men stand by a screen showing a group photo and German slide about peace service in Israel; audience and candle.

“Even after our departure in early March, we, the current ASF volunteers who had been serving in Israel, remain deeply connected to the country. We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on and share our experiences from the six months we spent there – most recently during two community evenings in Kusterdingen (Germany), my hometown, on March 19 and 25. Originally planned as a presentation about my family’s two-week visit to Israel, these events were unexpectedly enriched by our own perspectives as volunteers. There was strong interest, particularly in topics such as religion and war, as well as nature and society in Israel.

There is also a sense of continuity between our service in Israel and our current placements: Daniel is now working in a Jewish nursing home in Oslo, while Merlin is based at the Jewish Center in Oświęcim. Personal encounters continue to play a central role – for example, I recently had my longest conversation in Hebrew with a resident of the nursing home.

Although a new chapter has begun for both of us in Norway and Poland, our time in Israel remains deeply formative. The experiences we gained there will stay with us for a long time.

Even after our departure in early March, we, the current ASF volunteers who had been serving in Israel, remain deeply connected to the country. We are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on and share our experiences from the six months we spent there – most recently during two community evenings in Kusterdingen (Germany), my hometown, on March 19 and 25. Originally planned as a presentation about my family’s two-week visit to Israel, these events were unexpectedly enriched by our own perspectives as volunteers. There was strong interest, particularly in topics such as religion and war, as well as nature and society in Israel.

There is also a sense of continuity between our service in Israel and our current placements: Daniel is now working in a Jewish nursing home in Oslo, while Merlin is based at the Jewish Center in Oświęcim. Personal encounters continue to play a central role – for example, I recently had my longest conversation in Hebrew with a resident of the nursing home.

Although a new chapter has begun for both of us in Norway and Poland, our time in Israel remains deeply formative. The experiences we gained there will stay with us for a long time.”

ASF Israel wishes Daniel and Merlin all the best for their continued journey, meaningful experiences in their new placements, and hopes to welcome them back to Israel in the future.