After a long period of preparation, a family from Switzerland set foot on Israeli soil. With dreams for the future and with a small amount of possessions, they were ready for a new adventure: trying to help to cultivate the land and to contribute to the building of the country. But that was not the only reason for the Europeans to come to Israel: together with Christians from The Netherlands, and
later also from Germany, they wanted to explore ways to heal the relationship between Jews and Christians after the dark years of the Second World War. And so Israel was given a new name on its chart: Nes Ammim, which means "a sign to the nations" – taken from Isaiah 11: 10. Dialogue, learning and hospitality:
The uncultivated land from the early days of Nes Ammim has become a village where volunteers of different ages, denominations and professions live, work and learn together for a shorter or longer period. The village has always searched for the best ways to serve the country and its inhabitants in the constantly changing and complex social and political climate. In the early years the goal of Nes Ammim was twofold: to help building up the young state of Israel and to improve the relationship between Jews and Christians by engaging in dialogue. The first goal was put into action when the glasshouses were built in 1966 to cultivate roses. Nes Ammim played an important part in the agricultural branch of Israel from 1966 till 2001. Since 2001 the hotel of Nes Ammim ensures Nes Ammim’s economical future. The second goal has been broadened over the years. At present Nes Ammim stimulates the trialogue between Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Centre of Learning and Dialogue has the important task to organise study and dialogue projects. Work:
The volunteers and employees work in different branches: the hotel, the garden or the technical service. The volunteers of Nes Ammim come mainly from Europe for a certain period of time, to work and to participate in the study program. They have the possibility to learn a lot about the history and the culture of the country, to meet and to talk with Israeli people, to get familiar with the different sectors of Israeli society and to visit special places during excursions.
