שער לאדם باب للانسان Shar La’adam

Five months can just fly by. It’s not a long period of time, but it is in a way. It’s enough time to become comfortable in a new environment. It’s enough time to be part of a new community. It’s enough time to make some incredible adventures.

I spent five wonderful months at a little place called שער לאדם (Shar La’adam - in Arabic it is pronounced Bab Lil-insan), the Entrance to Humanity. It is a very simple place, but simple in a complicated way. It’s appearance might fool you into thinking it is primitive. There are trees everywhere. There’s no real walkway. You trip on uneven steps and you roll your ankle at least once a month. You have to hike down the hill to go to the bathroom and shower. There are hippies right next door. You hear nature at all times throughout the day. Both Arabs and Jews come around and make lots of noise at the wrong hours of the day. 

But the beauty is in its simplicity. 

שער לאדם allows you to slow down. It allows you to attempt in being more incarnated.

Many of us are constantly rushed or overwhelmed by demands, deadlines, and more. We suffer through these things because we want a home, food on the table, and to buy some pleasures. 

Here, I slow down.

I breathe.

I make food with my friends.

I lay under the stars and reflect on who I am.

I strive to be better.

I connect.

I grow. 

My time at שער לאדם was nothing short of life-changing. I made some wonderful lifelong friends who I love so dearly. People whom we developed a deep trust and intimacy with each other. Going through the trauma of coronavirus together certainly helps in building a strong friendship. I will be visiting them in their respective cities whenever possible. 

I tear up a little bit now since I no longer see them every day. 

I also have to thank our two co-directors who took us under their wings and helped us learn and grow.

While I still have much to learn, I know that I will always carry a piece of שער לאדם with me. 

Sometimes the hard work comes from the simple places. 

I hope that this little place continues to grow and foster the coexistence that is so greatly needed. 

Thank you! Todah Robah! Shukran Ikthir!