May 2014 was an unforgettable month in the history of SA Israel and SAs EMER Region. In only 10 years, SA Israel has grown from a few loners to more than 300 active members; more than 50 meetings in English, French, and Hebrew (with five new meetings opened this month alone); a fully paid-up and redecorated “SA Meeting House”; the hosting of EMER’s 2014 Regional Assembly and SA/S-Anon Convention with nearly 300 participants in attendance from all over Europe and even a handful of members from the US and Canada—and all of this followed by a remarkable International Recovery Camp on the shore of Lake Galilee!

I was personally privileged to take part in every one of these events. This was my first visit to Israel in sobriety. What a difference sobriety makes!

Following are some of my own personal highlights from this remarkable achievement by the 10 organizing members of the Israeli Intergroup:

• The sheer joy in recovery of Israeli SAs: singing, dancing, and fellowshipping with SA members from far and wide.
• The exuberance of the Convention atmosphere contrasted with the grim memorial to Israel’s lost six million at the Yad Va’shem Holocaust memorial right next door.
• Serving up to 40 delicious kosher meals from a camp kitchen on the shore of Lake Galilee.
• Smooth transfer of the EMER’s Chair from Nicholas S. to Luc D. at this year’s Regional Assembly.
• Early morning walks in the hills above Galilee.
• Celebrating Sabbath with observant Jewish SA members in the heart of Jerusalem.
• Realizing that SA is clearly on the move here. What a blessing!