5,5 years after the idea was born by Maria Hoffmann and a bit less than a year after the Israeli Moran choir visited Leipzig,a dream came true – the Gewandhaus Kinderchor flew to Israel to perform the Brundibár children opera together with the Moran choir in Israel. It was a moving reunion between the children of both choirs and friendships which started in Leipzig already, grow deeper, while rehearsals and trips (some of the children of the Moran choir participated in). 

Some of the survivors of the concentration camp Terezin were at the same time in Israel and they had common activities together (like the opening of the traveling exhibition "girls from room 28" in Tel Aviv, meetings and conversations between them and the children of the Gewandhaus Kinderchor). To see Brundibár played by German and Israeli children together after more than 60 years was for the survivors as a circle would be closed. Naomi Faran, leader of the Israeli Moran choir is a daughter of  Holocaust survivors and said: "Finally I can close this door and look forward". 

The children from Leipzig and the accompanying adults changed their view of Israel and his inhabitants through the new experience and impressions they made. They got a new understanding for the state of Israel. The husband of Judith, Ron Stern, our tour guide, was a big part in this process. In the way he showed and explained the land and its history to the children he aroused understanding and love in their hearts.

A very emotional experience was the visiting of  the Shoa memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. We were guided by a young man who was born in Germany and has a German mother and an Israeli father. The special way he leaded us in Yad Vashem helped us to see the horror that had happened without being overwhelmed with feelings of guilt. A lot of children said in the end that the horror got a face now.

For the children from both countries the farewell was hard, many tears were cried and promises for friendships were given. May this be a foundation that they as Germans will stay with Israel and the Jews in hard times.

The principle of the opera: "You need to count on friendship and go new ways" became alive again.