Nazareth = City of Tolerance

Ahlan we'sahlan!

So I thought this would be a convenient and smart way to keep all of you, friends and family, updated with my life and experiences here in Nazareth. Currently, this is my third day here and I feel like I have been here for years. I'll start this first post with a brief overview of where I work and history of the Fauzi Azar Inn. I would highly recommend checking out the Fauzi Azar website so you can see for yourself just how gorgeous it is. Built 200 years ago, this mansion was once owned by a Palestinian named Fauzi Azar. You can tell by his last name, Azar, that he is of Christian descent because Azar derives from the name Lazarus in the bible. His granddaughter is the current owner of the house (also my boss) but I am skipping ahead... Fauzi Azar died and the family was left with the decision of what to do what the house. Interestingly, an Israeli Jew by the name of Maoz confronted Fauzi Azar's granddaughter, Suraida (my boss)about converting the Inn into a tourist destination in the Old City of Nazareth. Initially, she was extremely insulted and hurt to be asked by a Jew to buy her grandfather's building and restore it. However, Maoz was persistant and spoke with Suraida's mother about the situation. Over multiple cups of coffee and tea, the Azar's finally relented and decided to sell the house to Maoz. You could only imagine the ensuing results. The Arab population here was in shock and outraged. "The Jews are already taking our land and now you give them our house!" they yelled to the Azar family. However, Suraida was optimistic and ignored the comments. She admits to feeling a surge of pride whenever she hears her grandfather's name mentioned in the streets and sees the Fauzi Azar emblem in local newspapers. Ultimately, Maoz's proposal and actions completely transformed the way local Nazreens view their own neighbors.

Less than ten years later, the Fauzi Azar Inn has been a raving success. It has won numerous awards, but most importantly, it is seen as a place where Jews, Muslims and Christians can come together peacefully. Because of this, I have been opened with welcoming arms to this community. Many of my co-workers are Christian and Muslim Arabs who normally, would judge me for being a Jew. Instead, they treat me as an equal, which is unique for this region of the country.

 The Fauzi Azar Inn is also a representation of Nazareth as a whole. Interestingly, Nazareth, or in Hebrew Netzrat, has the largest Arab population in Israel - 85,000 people! However, Nazareth is like the Inn because it is known to be one of the most, if not the most, tolerant Arab cities in the country. Nazareth's population is not radical and tense, but moderate and relaxed. For instance, the Immam at the local White Mosque participates in monthly worship sessions with a local priest and rabbi. He is always eager to sit down with foreigners to discuss Islam and religion and their experiences in the city. One of my favorite forms of religious tolerance in the city lies in a narrow alleyway. The back room of a local coffee shop is like a glimpse into the past - a smoky room filled with old men playing backgammon. However, these men are not solely Christians or Muslims but a mix of all three dominant religions: Christians, Muslims and Jews. It is a unique place of tolerance and acceptance. Many Israelis stay at the Fauzi Azar and remark that this city doesn't seem to be apart of Israel. It seems like its own entity where people temporarily put aside each other's differences. Never have I believed this to be possible, but it is happening before my very eyes.