After our return from Jordan with the East Michigan group, we were fortunate to be part of a dinner meeting with the group at the home of Mark and Marcia Holman.
An aside: Mark is the pastor of the English-speaking congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem where we are members during our stay here. They are from Minnesota; Marcia left a position as a Behavioural Consultant and will be offering her services here in the ELCJHL schools during their 4-year stay here. They were also part of the group from here who along with us joined the folks from East Michigan on their side trip to Jordan.
After a wonderful catered Palestinian meal, we were privy to a moving presentation by two representatives from “Parents’ Circle – Families Forum” (Bereaved Families Supporting Reconciliation & Peace), a non-political organisation. The Forum was established in 1995 and in 1997, Palestinians joined. They donate blood for each other, provide summer camps for Israeli and Palestinian students to get to know each other, give lectures in high schools—they’ve talked to 30,000 students, both Israeli and Palestinian. They sponsor a radio programme where Israelis and Palestinians can talk to each other, and promote the use of bumper stickers, “It won’t stop until we talk”.
Rami, an Israeli, told his story of the devastation suffered by him and his family when his 14-year-old daughter was killed by a suicide bomber in 1997. He struggled with his hatred and feelings for revenge until, nine years ago, when at the age of 47, he joined the organisation. It was the first time in his life that he had actually met a Palestinian. Although he said that he could never forgive the person who committed this atrocity, he came to the realisation that “we are not doomed; we can break this cycle of revenge through dialogue & listening; reconciliation can make cracks of hope in the wall of fear”. He now has the support of his whole family. His wife, a professor at Hebrew University, and his whole family are involved in peace activities.
Shireen, a Palestinian lawyer, told of a number of family members—in particular, an uncle, and a brother—who have been killed by Israeli bullets. She also has another brother still in jail. Her family and friends support her or at least don’t interfere with her work in the organisation. When asked what we can do, “Be pro-peace and reconciliation; don’t take sides. Promote respect and convey the basic values of humanitarianism.”
You can find out more about this organisation at http://www.theparentscircle.org/ .
An aside: Mark is the pastor of the English-speaking congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem where we are members during our stay here. They are from Minnesota; Marcia left a position as a Behavioural Consultant and will be offering her services here in the ELCJHL schools during their 4-year stay here. They were also part of the group from here who along with us joined the folks from East Michigan on their side trip to Jordan.
After a wonderful catered Palestinian meal, we were privy to a moving presentation by two representatives from “Parents’ Circle – Families Forum” (Bereaved Families Supporting Reconciliation & Peace), a non-political organisation. The Forum was established in 1995 and in 1997, Palestinians joined. They donate blood for each other, provide summer camps for Israeli and Palestinian students to get to know each other, give lectures in high schools—they’ve talked to 30,000 students, both Israeli and Palestinian. They sponsor a radio programme where Israelis and Palestinians can talk to each other, and promote the use of bumper stickers, “It won’t stop until we talk”.
Rami, an Israeli, told his story of the devastation suffered by him and his family when his 14-year-old daughter was killed by a suicide bomber in 1997. He struggled with his hatred and feelings for revenge until, nine years ago, when at the age of 47, he joined the organisation. It was the first time in his life that he had actually met a Palestinian. Although he said that he could never forgive the person who committed this atrocity, he came to the realisation that “we are not doomed; we can break this cycle of revenge through dialogue & listening; reconciliation can make cracks of hope in the wall of fear”. He now has the support of his whole family. His wife, a professor at Hebrew University, and his whole family are involved in peace activities.
Shireen, a Palestinian lawyer, told of a number of family members—in particular, an uncle, and a brother—who have been killed by Israeli bullets. She also has another brother still in jail. Her family and friends support her or at least don’t interfere with her work in the organisation. When asked what we can do, “Be pro-peace and reconciliation; don’t take sides. Promote respect and convey the basic values of humanitarianism.”
You can find out more about this organisation at http://www.theparentscircle.org/ .
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