Welcome In Jerusalem!

No matter if Jew, Christian, Muslim or Atheist | photo: Publik-Forum EXTRA Leben

Vor ein Tagen habe ich hier bereits über einen "Willkommensort" in Jerusalem geschrieben. Tags drauf begegnete mir in dem Extra-Heft "Leben" des deutschen Magazins Publik Forum ein Interview von Lothar Bauerochse mit dem Benediktinermönch Pater Nikodemus Schnabel.
Dieser scheint, Nomen est Omen, garnicht auf den Schnabel gefallen zu sein und gibt in einem herzerfrischenden Ton und gleichzeitig fundiert Auskunft über seine Sicht auf die Stadt.
"Jerusalem ist der einzige Ort der Welt, wo ich das Gefühl habe, hier will ich nicht weg." Das ist eine Aussage mit Gewicht, denn die Dormitio-Abtei der Pater Schnabel vorsteht, liegt im Niemandsland zwischen den politisch nationalen Fronten. Dazu sagt er: "Mensch ist Mensch - in einer Region, in der so viele Mauern gebaut werden, da wollen wir ein Ort sein, an dem jeder willkommen ist."

Gerne habe ein paar Auszüge aus dem empfehlenswerten Heft fotografiert und sie für meine englischsprachigen Leser übersetzt. ...

A few days ago I already wrote here about a 'welcome place' in Jerusalem. The next day I read in the extra issue 'Life' of the German magazine 'Publik Forum' an interview with the Benedictine monk Father Nicodemus Schnabel, where he gives his view of the city in a heartening tone and at the same time profound.

'Jerusalem is the only place in the world where I feel like I do not want to leave here.' This is a substantial testimony, because the 'Abbey Dormitio', which Father Schnabel presides lies in the no-man's-land between the political national fronts. On that point he says: "A human is a human - in a region where so many walls are built, we want to be a place where everyone is welcome.'

Gladly I have a few excerpts from the recommended booklet photographed and translated for my English-speaking readers. ...

photo: Publik-Forum EXTRA Leben

Publik-Forum: Father Nikodemus, after your studies you joined the Benedictine Order and belong to the Abbey 'Dormitio' in Jerusalem. Why Jerusalem of all places?
Nikodemus Schnabel:
I could say that anyone who is so crazy to become a monk in the 21st century can do it just as well in Jerusalem. That would be the most flippant answer. Maybe a little more detailed: I come from an artist family, have moved umpteen times. I have always been excited by the Benedictines. But Jerusalem is so wonderfully chaotic. And I had such a feeling: Jerusalem is probably the only place in the world where I feel like I do not want to leave here. Here in this chaos I come to rest myself. And till today I am very happy to be able to live there.

photo: Publik-Forum EXTRA Leben

links
Das Magazin Publik-Forum | Pater Schnabel im Interview bei SRF zu Trumps Hauptstadtentscheid | Pater Nikodemus Schnabel hat ein Buch über sein Leben als Mönch auf dem Zionsberg in Jerusalem geschrieben Zuhause im Niemandsland 'At home in the no-man's-country' is the book Father Nikodemus Schnabel has written about his life as a monk on Mount Zion in Jerusalem

Father Nikodemus Schnabel has been born in Stuttgart, Germany. He is a Black Monk living and working in Jerusalem. 2003 he joined the Abbey 'Dormitio' on the Mount Zion.

photo: Publik-Forum EXTRA Leben

Publik-Forum: Also im Grunde ein Leben in der Pufferzone und durchaus auch im Schussfeld. Die Gebäude ihrer Abtei tragen die Spuren der Kämpfe und der Kriege. Wie ist das für Sie? Ist das ein gefährliches Leben?

photo: Publik-Forum EXTRA Leben

Nikodemus Schnabel: There is such a manner of speaking that I do not like at all. When I say that I live in Jerusalem, it is unfortunately the case that few say: wonderful! Great, I envy you. But the first reaction is: is that dangerous? Are not you afraid? Is not that dangerous? - So meanwhile I react a little bit exhausted. I just do not live there because I say I need my daily Middle East conflict. Of course it is an intense place, of course it is also a place where I get to know the conflicts. Still, I'm not scared. My attitude is that I am simply incredibly thankful to live in Jerusalem. I do not get up every day and think, alas, today it's probably going to be a bit fierce again.