We had traveled to Bar’am in large part because this is the birthplace of Bishop Elias Chacour. His tragic story of the 1948 destruction of Bar’am is featured in his book Blood Brothers. We were surprised (again a serendipity) when we came upon what looked like a family reunion at the Maronite Chapel of Bar’am. Thinking we were interrupting a family affair we began to leave. Then our guide came up and greeted a group of men roasting a wild boar on an open fire. They started to taunt him with shouts and then a rousing song. It was clear that this was inter-family teasing. We later found out that our guide’s aunt was born in Bar’am and that he was related to this family. They greeted us warmly and invited the 19 of us into their festivities. One of the men (speaking to Bruce McIntyre in the photo) was the nephew of Father Chacour. This was one of many family outings to this place so that the younger generations would know of their family story.
They told us in 1951, after the State of Israel was established, the village of Bar’am was destroyed (the ruins are still visible) and the residents told to evacuate for two weeks. They have never been able to return. So several times a year they gather family and friends, sleep in the church, cook shared meals, and work on rebuilding what they are allowed to rebuild — the church and adjacent small school.
They told us in 1951, after the State of Israel was established, the village of Bar’am was destroyed (the ruins are still visible) and the residents told to evacuate for two weeks. They have never been able to return. So several times a year they gather family and friends, sleep in the church, cook shared meals, and work on rebuilding what they are allowed to rebuild — the church and adjacent small school.
No comments:
Post a Comment