Women's Trust-Building Workshop

Jerusalem, Israel. TRUST WIN (Women's Interfaith Network) CC presented a workshop on "Trust - building" on Friday, April 11, at the IPCRI (Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information) Conference on Peace and Education at Tantur Institute, Jerusalem.

It was delightful to be there and share a meal with Dr. Taleb Al-harithi, of the Palestinian Peace Society CC, who also gave a workshop there. Attending the IPCRI conference were Palestinians from Hebron, Ramallah, Jenin, Bethelehem, as well as East Jerusalem, and Israelis from around the country, as well as internationals - Americans and Europeans. Many of the participants were members of CCs in Israel or in Palestine. Many had been at the previous IPCRI Conference three months ago and some had attended our Trust-building workshop then and gave us encouraging feedback about how they had utilized the tools we gave them. Although recent horrible and violent events have taken place, they were put in the background as everyone strove to stay in the present and enjoy the camaraderie of all of us struggling in our own societies to increase the energies for understanding and tolerance. And when the tensions surfaced, they were dealt with through compassion and clear refusal to get caught up in blaming and vengeance. It was very strengthening and comforting to be together.

The TRUST WIN workshop was facilitated by Elana Rozenman, Ester Golan, and Ibtisam Mahamid. Participants included Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals--Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Many had attended our earlier introductory group where we had people choosing a partner that they did not know and sharing with them "what quality do I bring to peace-building". They were so encouraged by the immediate intimacy and trust that they established with one person, overcoming their fear or strangeness with the other, that they decided to attend our Trust-building workshop and deepen this experience.

The Future Interfaith Encounter Group of Mothers and Daughters met on Thursday, January 3, 2008, at Samira's home in Beit Safafa to honor Eid el-Adha. Samira served cookies filled with dates, a special treat of the holiday.

The Muslim girls of the group explained to everyone why the Eid was celebrated: they told the story of the Prophet Ibrahim and how he was ordered in a dream to slaughter his own son. He saw this dream three times, and then told his son Ismail what he had to do. His son did not refuse, but told his father that he should obey the command. As the Prophet was about to kill his son, God sent the angel Gabriel with a sheep to sacrifice instead. Ibrahim had obeyed God, and had been ready to sacrifice his son.

The girls also talked about what Muslims did to celebrate the Eid: on the first day they get up early and go to the Mosque to pray. Then, after they finish praying, some of the people visit relatives and wish them a happy holiday. Everyone then goes home to slaughter the sheep. Some prefer to do it the other way around: first, they slaughter the sheep and then visit and bless relatives. The girls added that when a sheep is slaughtered, its meat is divided into three thirds: a third is given to the poor, a third is given to relatives and a third is taken by the owner of the sheep. On this holiday, many people travel to Saudi Arabia to fulfill the commandment of the Hajj. This is an important holiday for everyone, especially children, who are very happy to wear new clothes and visit their relatives, where they usually receive money as a gift.

During the Eid, several weeks earlier, the group had filmed the slaughtering a sheep, and after the talk, they presented the video. Then everyone got up to fellowship with one another, and to participate in an activity related to Eid. They also danced Debka together, and enjoyed the moment, as always. By the week before Christmas, Santa’s elves weren’t the only ones working hard to make this year special for children around the world. Quested Peace CC, Mercy CC, and I2 Company joined forces to wrap over 700 gifts to deliver to needy families, children, and elders in Amman, Jordan.

From December 22-24th, volunteers dressed as Santas visited over twenty locations within Amman, including orphanages, nursing homes, private homes, and street communities. Some of the planned activities included dancing, singing carols, and passing out toys, clothes, and delicious sweets. Volunteers also took time to simply fellowship and eat with the people they visited.

According to Safa’a Abu Tarha of URI, the volunteers brought joy and laughter to the faces of everyone they encountered, even passing out treats to people in the streets on the way to each destination. “The Christmas season again brings hope for most souls and helps those less fortunate to enjoy their lives and light their way,” said Safa’a. “Our project was so beautiful and the team was helpful and dedicated to achieve the purpose we looking for.”

The gifts for the event were donated by I2 Company, as well as friends of the community.