Br. Shubamrita's winter-tour
in Europe and Israel 2009

Between 3rd and 8th of December 2009 Br. Shubamrita paid his fourth annual visit to Israel. Public programmes were held in the cities Tel Aviv, Pardes Hana and for the first time in Netiv Halamed Hey, a Kibutz (community) near Jerusalem. An IAM course was held in Tel Aviv, with nearly 80 participants.

The participants enjoyed Br. Shubamrita’s talks based on Amma’s teachings and interspersed with a lot of humour and personal experiences. The Hebrew songs also were a great hit with the audience.

The venue in Netiv Halamed Hey is also an ecological centre, which has implemented many environmental programmes like rain water collection, construction with earthen materials and organic composting. Br. Shubamrita was keen to learn more about these technologies, which are also implemented in many of Amma's international institutions. He also visited another eco centre near Pardes Hana where interreligious groups of youngsters get the opportunity to research new green technologies like water purification and bio fuel.

Br. Shubamrita was also invited to "Wings of Krembo", a youth organization, which cares for children with special needs. More than 900 teenagers volunteer in the organization, which has 8 active groups throughout the country. Twice a week they spend an afternoon with the needy children, thus allowing their parents to have some free time. Shubamrita had a very lively interaction with the group, joining in their singing and games.

He taught the kids the peace prayer "om lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu" which was chanted with a lot of cheering and clapping. At the end of the meeting Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, was celebrated. Just like the candles are lit on the traditional seven-armed lamp, the simple act of kindness by the youngsters is kindling the light of joy, love and peace in the lives of those they care for.

During the last programme of Br. Shubamrita at the Reidman International Centre of Complimentary Medicine in Tel Aviv, one lady said to him, “Hanukkah is a festival that brings in joy and light to all of us and is very dear to our hearts. It will be like a Hanukkah for us when Amma will come to Israel, for we can see a person who is spreading the light of love and peace around the world.”

Before coming to Israel Br. Shubamrita also conducted public programmes and retreats in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Spain. During his stay in Switzerland on November 29th he also inaugurated M.A. Center Switzerland.

Br. Shubamrita will visit Europe next in April 2010.