Nun Teaches Languages in Jerusalem to Improve Jewish-arab Relations

A Catholic nun who teaches Arabic to Israelis and Hebrew to Arabs hopes that her work will replace with love the hate in the Middle East. She is Mother Aline Batut, Mother Superior of Ecco Homo Convent of the Order of Notre Dame de Sion in Old Jerusalem, and a recent visitor to Los Angeles under the auspices of the American Jewish Committee and the Commission on the Middle East of the Jewish Federation-Council’s Community Relations Committee. Mother Aline recalled that after the Six-Day War, she felt something had to be done–despite risks–to promote friendship between all peoples in the Middle East. “Since teaching languages seemed like the most neutral and uncompromising ground, we planned to establish a modest class to teach Hebrew to Arabs, and, if possible, another class to teach Arabic to Israelis,” the vivacious, diminutive nun said. “What looked like pure madness then found, however, two madmen and a madwoman to implement it,” she continued. “I was the madwoman. My two partners were Father Bruno, a Dominican, and Dr. Kalman Yaron of Hebrew University, director of adult education.” Dr. Yaron offered to teach the first class in Hebrew if 10 Arabs who wanted to learn could be found. Instead, 36 showed up at the school’s opening in the convent in Jerusalem.

So successful has the program been in the past four years that nine classes with 350 students have been organized. Last June, 150 Arabs and 50 Israelis were granted diplomas for proficiency in languages. Apparently, it is caster for Arabs to learn Hebrew than for Israelis to learn Arabic. Mother Aline noted. The school has outgrown its present quarters in Old Jerusalem and will move to the new Martin Buber Center now under construction on Mt. Scopus in association with the Hebrew University. The center will house not only classrooms, but space for social, artistic and folkloric activities. “More than a thousand students have passed through our classes and have joined us in our effort to promote peace,” Mother Aline said “They have brought their friends and relatives to our social events and thus have included them also in our friendship program.” She said the center, criticized at the outset, is now accepted and appreciated by the community. Regarding the Middle East, Mother Aline said she was “very optimistic,” explaining; “If the rhythm of achievement can be maintained, I am sure that peace will be implemented in daily life before it is signed on a piece of paper.” Mother Aline, a Sorbonne graduate, is on a year-long sabbatical visit to the United States. Her order maintains convents in Kansas City, Washington and New Jersey that are mainly concerned with interfaith activities and the Promotion of mutual understanding between Catholics and Jews.