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On December 23 2010, Ernest Lloyd went to be with the Lord. He was 98 years old.

By any standard his life was remarkable. At the age of five, Ernest was abandoned to the care of the Naomi Home for Women and Children, run by the Barbican Mission to the Jews. He never knew his father and the only recollection he had of his mother was that of a tall, dark, Italian Sephardi Jewess from whom he inherited his height, black hair and striking looks. Life was particularly hard for Jews during WWI. A timid and melancholic child, Ernest was an object of hatred, called a ‘Christ killer’ and like many other Jewish children, suffered frequent taunts and even stoning.

Think of Israel and what comes to mind? Whatever images the word 'Israel' may conjure up, the picture of Jews and Arabs breaking bread and worshipping together will probably not be among the first.

How can people who are poles apart politically in a land torn by bitter strife find any common ground for friendship and reconciliation? What can bring together the members of two communities, who from childhood learn to distrust each other?