My name is Alice and I am 82 years old. I was born in Germany but moved to London in 1934, when the Nazis came to power and began persecuting Jews. I grew up in England and experienced the Blitz in London during World War II. In 1949 I moved to Jerusalem, where I married, had children and now have grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.I taught English Literature at the Hebrew University and was the headmistress of a high-school for religious girls.

I have been active in various social movements, including those dealing with women’s rights and human rights. In particular, I have devoted much time to education for peace in this troubled part of the world and as a result I have Palestinian women friends. We have come to realize that both sides in this conflict are suffering and that we need to have more understanding of each other’s backgrounds and problems. I hope and pray I shall live to see greater understanding between Israelis and Palestinians and that my grandchildren will live at peace with their neighbours in mutual respect. No more wars!

May God bless you and bring you comfort in your grief.

Alice Shalvi