Esti is a veteran member of Moshav Ein Yahav, and is much appreciated by all of those making their living from tourism in the Arava, for her efficient and cheerful running of the Center. This article was written during the recent Lebanon war.

A few years ago a young man visited Australia as a member of a Partnership 2000 student delegation; some time after that a young woman came to visit Israel. The following year the young man’s mother flew to Australia as the accompanying teacher of that year’s student delegation, and was hosted by the young woman’s family, and the young woman’s family came to visit the young man’s family in the Arava.

Meet the Lipson family from Melbourne and the Shalev family from Moshav Ein Yahav, the main characters in an intercontinental story that teaches us a valuable lesson about reciprocal ties. We met Karen and Danny Lipson and their daughter Laney their young daughter at the crowded Ein Yahav swimming pool in the afternoon, accompanied by Merav Shalev and her daughter Inbar.

The Melbourne couple is visiting Israel for the fourth time and in the Arava for the second time. They find it hard to believe that Israel is in a state of war, considering how peaceful it is in the Arava. They get their information about this war, like other wars throughout the world, through CNN’s nonstop news reports and commentary. They feel a little nervous about the situation in the country, even though they are protected here in the Arava, far from the center of action. Their surroundings are comfortable and friendly as the Shalev family makes sure they have all the comforts of a warm, cordial home.

Danny Lipson says that he met Levi Sidani from Nahariya at the pool. Her family is one of the first to seek refuge in the Arava, as they are from the Confrontation Line area. Everyone is impressed by the calm and tranquility evident among these visitors from the north, people that had been running for their lives from the inferno only a few days earlier and are now overwhelmed by the welcome they receive in the Arava.

The Lipsons have hosted young people from the Arava at their home, which is located directly opposite to Bialik College, and they extend their best wishes to delegation now visiting Australia.