We are livid! In case you missed it, the Trump administration’s economic plan for peace uses photos of our bereaved members in its online publication. Those photos were part of our project in partnership with USAID for 10 years. The project promoted dialogue and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Then USAID funds were cut. The program could no longer … Continue reading We won’t be pawns in Kushner’s plan
A visit to the unrecognized villages in the Negev
By Yuval, a graduate of the Narrative Group for Medical ProfessionalsIn April, a group of Israelis and Palestinians, members of the Parents Circle – Families Forum and graduates of the Narrative Project, toured three unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev. The tour was led by Yaela Raanan, a member of the Council of Unrecognized Villages, who … Continue reading A visit to the unrecognized villages in the Negev
Promoting Peace While Memorializing the Fallen
Michelle L. Gawerc Michelle I. Gawerc Associate professor of sociology and interim director of the Office of Peace and Justice Loyola University Maryland December 27, 2018 —Neta Hazan These words by Neta Hazan marked the beginning of the 2017 Israeli–Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony. For the last twelve years, on the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day, … Continue reading Promoting Peace While Memorializing the Fallen
A Holiday Message from a Bereaved Mother
“December is the time for candles, spiritual light and a sense of miracle. For some it is the belief that they bring the light of Jesus, even in the darkest of times. For others the miracle of the pure oil sufficient for one day which last for eight. With your permission, I would like to … Continue reading A Holiday Message from a Bereaved Mother
To the Congregation of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha
This message was sent to the Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation today on behalf of the bereaved Israeli and Palestinian members of the Parents Circle: To the Congregation of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha, On behalf of the Parents Circle – Families Forum, we offer our deepest condolences for the horrific loss … Continue reading To the Congregation of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha
End the Violence
Dear Friends, I am writing to you on my flight home from Israel and Palestine, thinking about my brief visit to the Gaza envelope this past week on the Parents Circle’s Narrative Study Tour. On Monday, while the Trump administration opened the new embassy in Jerusalem and Naqba Day neared, our board members and supporters … Continue reading End the Violence
How I sleep better at night
Dear Friends, It isn’t hard to find worthy causes in a world as broken as ours. The greater challenge, at least for me, is to decide which of the many worthy causes I dare adopt as my own. My resources are limited; the challenges seem infinite. I was first drawn to the Parents Circle (PCFF) … Continue reading How I sleep better at night
I lost my son but I didn’t lose my hope
Cry the Beloved Country by Aaron Barnea, bereaved father and Parents Circle member Last week I had a very difficult experience that I’d like to share with as many people as possible. I joined five other bereaved members of the Parents Circle to make a team of six: three bereaved Israelis and three bereaved Palestinians. … Continue reading I lost my son but I didn’t lose my hope
“What do I care about your daughter that you lost 20 years ago? I am suffering today!”
Clapping with One Hand by Rami Elhanan, Israeli co-Director, Parents Circle – Families Forum The driver was late yet again and at the entrance to Ibn Rushd High School in the Palestinian village of Tsur Baher, on the outskirts of East Jerusalem, they were waiting for us with anticipation in their eyes. An older guard … Continue reading “What do I care about your daughter that you lost 20 years ago? I am suffering today!”
A Palestinian Flag at Jewish Camps: No Need for Apologies
By Shiri Ourian, Executive Director, American Friends of the Parents Circle Last week, while Camp Solomon Schechter, a Jewish summer camp outside of Seattle, hosted Palestinian and Israeli youth from Kids4Peace to engage in dialogue and shared learning, another summer camp took place in Israel with bereaved and non-bereaved Israeli and Palestinian youth who also engaged … Continue reading A Palestinian Flag at Jewish Camps: No Need for Apologies
