Gratitude for Magali

The members of the kehilla gathered for the Sunday mass in the House of Saints Simeon and Anne and in their hearts mixed feelings: deep gratitude to God who sent Magali to the kehilla mixed with sadness at the fact that she is leaving. Father David thanked her for everything that she has contributed to the life of the kehilla and expressed the hope that she would soon return.

Magali Baron, 32 years old French woman from Paris, France, arrived in Israel two years ago within the framework of the French volunteer organization – DCC. The organization sent her to Nazareth, to the Latin Patriarchate’s Vicariate in that city where she worked under Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Israel. In the course of that year, she visited the Vicariate for Hebrew speaking Catholics in Jerusalem with the other volunteers and decided to make contact with Father David, the Vicar, and ask to transfer to Jerusalem.

During the course of her second year in Israel, Magali worked as a volunteer at the Vicariate in Jerusalem. She helped arrange the papers and documents, organized the archives, translated articles into French on the internet site and even wrote a few herself. However, there is no doubt that the area where her service contributed most significantly was in the music of the kehilla. A very talented musician, she worked with Benny and Father Rafic to develop the singing during prayer times in the House of Saints Simeon and Anne – at morning and evening prayers and of course at mass time. She taught others how to sing and composed songs for the community, investing long hours of research and creativity. Her wonderful voice and her playing of the violin will be sorely missed but even more than those, her prayerful presence and her faithfulness to the prayer life of the kehilla.

Magali developed a very special relationship with our Jerusalem kehilla and with the kehillot in general. With amazing speed, she learnt Hebrew and began to actively participate in all the activities of the kehilla. Her studies at the Decoutray Center, under the guidance of Father Michel Remaud, deepened her love for the Jewish people and its tradition. However, she also began to learn Arabic with Sister Camelia. It was clear to one and all that she had fallen in love with us and we with her…. A match made in heaven!

For all this we thank God and wish her success on her way. We hope that one day she will return to us and continue to contribute to our kehillot!