An Israeli Lecture: A Lesson in Friendship and Organization
Israel has always been a country that fascinated me. Its rich history, remarkable contributions to scientific knowledge and innovation, technological advancements, military strength, and its position as the birthplace of the world’s three major monotheistic religions make it a truly captivating place. No doubt, Israel is a land of contrasts, a place worth spending more than a month exploring.
In 2007, at the invitation of the Israeli government, with all expenses paid, I had the opportunity to travel across several cities in Israel. I was a scholarship student at Israel’s International Cooperation Center—similar to Brazil’s Embrapa International Training Center. This experience only deepened my admiration for the country.
One particular instance that stands out occurred when a professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem came to Brazil. He wanted to give a lecture on his field of research and work, and eager to assist, I offered to help organize the event. What a mission that turned out to be!
A week before the lecture, I had already notified all the relevant departments within my institution and other associated organizations. I personally met the professor at the entrance of our office and escorted him to the auditorium. However, upon opening the door, we were greeted by an empty room. I can’t even begin to express how embarrassed I was! But with my best diplomatic skills, I quickly explained to the professor that we still had ten minutes before the event started and that we had arrived a bit early. I offered him coffee and excused myself to leave him with another colleague in a separate room.
Meanwhile, I dashed back to my office and began calling every acquaintance I knew at work. On my floor, I ran from room to room, inviting colleagues and informing them about the lecture, stressing that an important Israeli professor would be presenting on a subject of great interest to everyone. Fifteen minutes later, slightly behind schedule, I returned to the auditorium, only to find that my day had been saved. The room was packed, and there were no seats left.
The lecture itself was fantastic, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. But what truly made the experience meaningful for me wasn’t just the event itself—it was the realization that I have amazing friends who I can always count on. Both on the Israeli side, where they trusted the event would be worthwhile, and on the Brazilian side, where my friends, despite their own busy schedules, made time to attend when I reached out to them. In the end, it wasn’t just about a lack of organization on my part—it was the experience and the friendships built over the years that kept things from falling apart.