

Going back
The top photo is me with Suha, the brilliant and dedicated English teacher at Comprehensive School 1 in Shefar'amr, where I ran workshops today. The population of the school is predominantly Druze, with some Christian and Muslim students and staff too. I worked with 14-15 year olds and 16-17 year olds from an area with very little money. They have never had a drama session there and don't have spoken English lessons. They threw themselves into a whole host of improv activitie
Update 28/11
Feeling a bit less shaky and emotional. Finding all kinds of bruises and adding to them with a big fall. Some great news now... I have been in touch with my host family and miraculously, once the debris and ash had been moved, it seems that most of the ground floor of their particular house can be salvaged including many personal possessions! This has made me so happy. My hostess' brother-in-law came to collect their coat and brought me my shoes - they must have tumbled out a
Update 27/11
I have been totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of warmth and support from the people who read and shared my post regarding the fires. As Facebook has yet to add an acknowledgement button I have liked them all to show that I've read them. Thanks also to those who have got in touch privately. You are amazing. It was a bad night as every sound made me jolt, thinking someone was knocking on the door to wake me up and tell me to run, I haven't had much sleep at all since Thursd
TW - May cause distress:
I am now safely back in Jerusalem with my parents after a terrifying experience. Yesterday I travelled with some family members from the UK (aunt, uncle, cousins) to our cousin's community to spend a special Shabbat (Sabbath) celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of his son. I was hosted by a wonderful Australian-Israeli family who made me very welcome. Following evening prayers and a huge, delicious family meal, I went back to my host family and we chatted for a while then I went to b