the engineer who sought to find through us the friend he ostracized 30 years ago<\/a>. <\/p>Dozens of people volunteered to help and offered countless suggestions - and with Hashem's help, after a marathon of phone calls, the 'lost' friend - Eli K. by name, was found. In an emotional conversation between the two, Levi explained the reason that led him to reestablish contact after so many years, discovering a pleasant, forgiving, noble, and honest person on the other end of the line. <\/p>
Today, Eli K. serves as a community rabbi in one of the southern cities, is married and the father of four. "Thousands of thanks. After a marathon of phone calls, I managed to find Eli K.", Shacham writes to me. "I contacted him, and we spoke extensively on the phone several times. Indeed, he remembers every moment of the ostracism."<\/p>
According to Levi, only in conversation did he learn that Eli did not participate in the strike for a justified reason - he had no home to return to. If he had taken part in the strike, he would have been on the streets. "The pain I felt at those moments was immense. I realized we simply shed innocent blood! So much cruelty, so much pain, so unforgivable... how much one needs to learn from this."<\/p>
The two have smoothed things out, and sweet came out from the bitter: soon they will meet with their families and deepen their acquaintance. <\/p>
According to Levi, there isn't really forgiveness needed because Eli never truly held resentment against his friends. "He is a noble person who forgave his dignity, and there is not a trace of revenge or anger in him. Just a pure and honest individual. He thanked me for reaching out and was glad that someone knew of his pain and didn't forget."<\/p>
Shacham Levi
