Posted on 12/03/2017 6:55:17 PM PST by marshmallow
Arameans, an ancient people with a distinct culture, have been severely persecuted throughout Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria for more than 1,400 years.
Faded-green plants grow alongside dusty roads in the Aramaic-Maronite village of Jish. Pink and red potted flowers decorate the doorsteps of most homes, and the intensity of the midday sun enhances their color. It’s been several months since I returned from a trip I took to Israel with an organization called Passages.
During the trip, my group visited this particular village in the Galilee region to meet with a community of Arameans, an ancient people with a distinct culture, who have been severely persecuted throughout Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria for more than 1,400 years. Most are unaware of this people and their plight.
After hearing Shadi Khalloul, a Philos fellow and chairman of the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association (ICAA), speak at the Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch about the movement to revitalize the Aramaic language and culture, our group’s bus followed Khalloul in his car to a house in the middle of town, where rows of covered folding tables awaited us on the patio.
Each setting had a beautiful and precise arrangement of plastic cutlery and dishes, and the long tables had several clear pitchers of water placed neatly in the center. As soon as we took our seats, a woman named Niveen and several young people from the community began serving us an abundance of authentic Aramean food — tea, lentils, vegetables, bread with fresh hummus, beef, and an assortment of desserts — all seasoned and cooked to perfection.
As I was about to leave, I talked with one of the young servers, Karees. Niveen, the chef and owner of the home, was her aunt. I watched Karees interact with her younger brother, translating what he......
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
I studied Aramaic many years ago as part of another endeavour. It was fascinating. Hopefully the flickering ember of Aramaic cultural heritage and language will increase. I am sure Yeshua would love to be greeted on His return by those speaking the language He Himself used as His native tongue. Wonderful
If I am not mistaken it written in the Hebrew letters.
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