On a small kibbutz in Southern Israel lives a six-year-old boy named Avi.
Every day after school, Avi and his friends play soccer on a large field. Next to the field, a factory is being built. 
Avi’s dad, Mr. Ben-David, manages the construction site. Avi loves to visit him and learn about all the different things that go into building the factory - clearing the land, pouring the foundation, and erecting the frame. 
One sunny afternoon Avi wandered away from his soccer game to visit his dad. This was something he did often. But today was different. He noticed a new, unfamiliar face at the worksite. He approached the stranger and cheerfully introduced himself.
“Shalom, my name is Avi,” he said to the man. The man, with a warm smile, turned to Avi. “Shalom Avi, it’s good to meet you. I'm Omar." He then performed a captivating magic trick with his hands, leaving Avi mesmerized.
Avi noticed that the man spoke Hebrew, just as he did, but with a different accent. He also had a first name he hadn’t heard before. Avi wondered about this nice new stranger as he walked home with his soccer ball cradled beneath his arms.
That evening, as his family shared dinner around the table, Avi asked his dad about the man. “aba, I met Omar today. He’s so nice. He has a funny accent and a funny name and can do magic tricks! Who is he? Where did he come from? Can I come see him again?”
“Whoa, slow down Avi. What’s with all this curiosity?”, Mr. Ben-David replied. “I don’t know, Aba. It’s nice to meet new and different people. I think he liked meeting me, too!”
“Well, Avi, Omar is Palestinian from Gaza and he will be crossing into Israel each day from now on to help with building the new factory. And each night he will go back to Gaza to be with his family. It’s a long day for Omar so perhaps you should let him focus on his work.”

“I will aba, but I’m just so curious. He’s my new friend. If I see him when I come visit I’ll only talk to him a little bit.”


Maybe One Day

Avi playing soccer on a large field with a factory construction site visible in the background

On a small kibbutz in Southern Israel, a six-year-old boy named Avi lived. Every day after school, Avi and his friends played soccer on a large field. Next to the field, a factory was being built. Avi’s dad, Mr. Ben-David, managed the construction site. Avi loved visiting him and learning about all the different things that go into building the factory.

A New Friend

Avi cheerfully introducing himself to a stranger at the worksite

One sunny afternoon, Avi wandered away from his soccer game to visit his dad. This was something he did often. But today was different. He noticed a new, unfamiliar face at the worksite. He approached the stranger and cheerfully introduced himself.

Meeting Omar

Omar performing a magic trick with a warm smile while Avi looks mesmerized

“Shalom, my name is Avi,” he said to the man. The man, with a warm smile, turned to Avi. “Shalom Avi, it’s good to meet you. I'm Omar." He then performed a captivating magic trick with his hands, leaving Avi mesmerized. Avi noticed that the man spoke Hebrew with a different accent and had a first name he hadn’t heard before.

A Magic Trick

Avi sitting at a dinner table with his family, looking curious and excited

That evening, as his family shared dinner around the table, Avi asked his dad about the man. “Aba, I met Omar today. He’s so nice. He has a funny accent and a funny name and can do magic tricks! Who is he? Where did he come from? Can I come see him again?” Mr. Ben-David explained that Omar was Palestinian from Gaza and would be helping with the factory. Avi promised to let Omar focus on his work but couldn't wait to see his new friend again.