The song of the virtues in our return to Selvino “ we were like dreamers”… then the weariness of our mouths and our tongues were filled with songs…
A week ago, upon my return home, Tami kept on knocking on my door saying “you need to write a conference summary”, and I agreed but couldn’t get the words onto the page.
These were days of elation, tears of joy and fluttering hearts.
It is impossible not to feel a sense of satisfaction at the end of five days full of experiences in Selvino, Bergamo and Soncino, but even this, cannot be claimed with words.
When Tami and I arrived in Selvino on May 2, the streets were covered with signs and banners, already then we felt the warm welcome that accompanied us later in the week.
In the meantime, until the participants arrived on Friday, the municipality made available to us an office where we spent hours duplicating lectures, translating programs, of course everything in three languages…already then we felt the increasing harmony between the municipality and us.
History repeats itself, I thought to myself, and indeed from these hours onwards it was clear that our shared future with the Selvino’s City Council would continue to be shaped in the arena of warm human relationships.
All those who were ready to give their souls and bodies to our mission now, are the descendants of those who were in the city in the days after the war.
In gematria seventy-five translates to strong security, hope, institutionalization, the brightness of a shining star (Venus and Lucifer) perhaps all the characteristics we want to find in a relationship with the city of Selvino.
At the opening of the conference, we noted the date 75, when the gates of Beit Aliyat HaNoar were locked for the last time, and the remaining children, together with Moshe and a few of the instructors, left on their way to Israel (on the ship Teti , November 1948).
Our return to Selvino time and time again, represents our desire to create continuity for the dreams of the Ness ( miracle) dressed up and flown on the mast…
With our return this time, a broad gate opened with the city council, with the city of Bergamo when the director of the hospital came to meet and congratulate us on the donation we sent during the Covid epidemic (some of you were not present at this occasion because you were looking after Italian ice cream.)
And of course the city of Soncino that welcomed us again with huge embracing arms.
Giuseppe Cavalli the director of the museum together with Yael Sonino Levy, the talented artist from whom we learned about the wonders of printing developing since the 15th century. We even had the privilege of printing with the help of an engraving plate specially prepared for us, depicting the front of the children’s home.
A priceless tribute!
“Oh my God, let it never end”… a thousand small images flash through my memory, spilling out and intertwining with each other. Waves of excitement arise again in my heart.
The personal stories of the five “children” living amongst us, about their lives at the home in Selvino, deserve to be etched forever in the consciousness and historical records of our people. Their struggle during the war and their survival is the victory of good over evil. It is important to note again and again that upon their arrival in Israel, they mobilized all their mental resources to rebuild their new lives, both on the personal level and on the national level, and integrated into the social, economic and cultural fabric of the country.
The choice of the survivors to believe in man again, to build a house, to establish a community, to take part in the establishment of the renewed state of Israel and to contribute to its design is not self-evident and is considered a miracle.
The exciting opening film in the museum, locating the young faces of the children in photos from family visits to Selvino which decorate the staircase, receiving honorary citizenship of the city, receiving the key to the city, all these were bubbles of joy and immense excitement.
However, the sadness also hung in the air and did not spare us. With the arrival of Diego Bartucci the mayor of Selvino, my heart skipped a beat for a moment. Diego was a robust young man when we visited in 2019, and now sick with ALS his condition is rapidly deteriorating. He communicated with us via his eyes and his smiles, yet did not give up visiting with us.
These tantalizing emotions were a mixture of feelings shaking our soul, a kind of further confirmation that life is a constant state of joy and sorrow, darkness and light, bitter and sweet.
Gliding between dream and awareness “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem” playing and dancing in the wide hall of the first floor of Beit Aliyat Ha’noar, together with the ensemble of singer and musician Delilah Gutman, who produced the musical program for us, it was magical!
The youth from Hashomer Ha’tzair joined us and elevated the dancing.
The walls of the “palace” were once again filled with joy just as it was in the years past.
In front of the building the city’s orchestra enthusiastically played the national anthems of America and Canada and finally also of the Israeli Hatikvah.
I can still hear and see the waves of excitement on the musicians faces inside and outside the house.
Dear friends, the last night of our stay, like the other nights, it rained heavily and we were worried that we would not be able to plant the trees in the park. But the clear skies that appeared in the morning, the magical and mysterious mountains on the horizon, brought us back to the happiness and inner peace of the previous days.
The planting of the heavenly birch trees in Castello Park, which was granted to us, was another highlight of the week’s events.
Birch trees (Carpino (carpinus betulus) were planted as we were planted in the fertile Selvino soil!
Our hopes are that the roots will literally grow deeper there, and our presence will forever be preserved in the community.
Video: Selvino – Intro, Film, Acceptance
And finally, the icing on the cake of events, an evening of appreciation for the children of Selvino was held at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Hollywood California, where a Medal of Valor was given to the grandchildren of Moshe Ze’iri , on behalf of the children of Selvino and the city of Selvino.
Read the article about: Jewish News
A video was shown about the Selvino children and the town that took them in , and rehabilitated them, hoping that this is a trailer for a full-length film that will appear in the near future.
This is the place to stop.
Take a deep breath and thank my partners in this special journey:
Our precious Tami, who is always sitting by my side, but holding the reins in her hands (even when the wagon is fully loaded and the horse is weary and tired…) thus it can be
said that this is a cooperation and an act of unity, a connection between individuals with common goals.
Thanks to Tami from the bottom of my heart.
Our Dear Enrico, without whom the conference would not have taken place. His great dedication and sensitivity to our every wish was above and beyond. It was evident that Anna’s spirit accompanied him and even us throughout the last months of working together.
The handling of the small details, the many coordinations needed, all were supper dedication. Enrico serves also as “our man in Selvino “ welcoming willingly guests and guiding them in the museum. Enrico deserved our thanks and outmost pride!
Kudos to Bernie for his sensitivity and dedication to the subject of the Selvino children and for managing our website,
To Elisa who softened our work with translations from English to Italian, many many thanks.
Here is also the place to mention the feminine power in our organization, and especially the three lecturers, Federica di Padova, Chiara Camarda and Orly Bach, who illuminated for us the path of their academic works that is so connected to each and every one of us.
And if we are talking about feminine grace and power, m it is Tami’s dear sister Michal, who made sure to raise an initial smile when we entered the room at Hotel Harmony, by creating a warm welcome gift for each one of us. Well done and well appreciated Michal!
Dear friends, working with such a team is a gift from Heaven!
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy!
With love, Miriam
Miriam Bisk “Children of Selvino” Nonprofit Organization
children.of.selvino@gmail.com
