Day 10b - Bethlehem in Galilee the Templar town

Gadi, Ayelet and I had an interesting conversation in the evening. We talked about Israeli and German / European politics and economy as well as the Holocaust and its consequences for the following  generations in Israel and Germany. Ayelet said that the Israelis didn't talk about the Holocaust after the war. The Adolf Eichmann Trial in 1961 was a very important turning point. Ayelet's father drove a long distance to follow the trial live. She said that after the trial the Israelis started talking about the Holocaust in their families and publically. The most important reason for not talking was shame. At a very young age Gadi's mother had to do forced labour for Siemens and got a compensation from Siemens after the war. Gadi's father and mother both survived Auschwitz  whereas his grandparents were killed there. We had a very moving time together. On the next morning Gadi showed me around in Bethlehem in Galilee which was founded by the Templars in 1906, just like parts of Tel Aviv and Haifa. The meeting hall was built in 1911. Gadi showed me the Holocaust memorial of Bethlehem. All names of family members who died in the Holocaust are remembered and honoured here. Gadi pointed out the names of his grandparents on the picture (below). He also showed me some of his fields, his machines and brought me finally back to the Shvil. We said goodbye as friends.

Gadi and Ayelet's house

Meeting hall, built by the Templars in 1911

Memorial: Gadi showing me the names of his grandparents

Templar water tower

Templar house

Gadi's weat field - harvest in April

Gadi's farming machines

a neighbour's milking robot