Reports from Gomer and Abier – two of the many Interfaith Encounter Groups
Midwives of Peace Interfaith Encounter group
We started the encounter with a group “check in”: Each attendee gave an update about what’s happening in their lives personally and professionally. Some shared about their families’ struggles or celebrations, some are taking care of their elderly parents or grandchildren. Other participants are having exciting professional developments, such as a scheduled lecture at the UN. All of us think a lot about the war and its effects on people and especially mothers and children.
We then discussed an upcoming Midwifery Conference in Greece, which will happen in September. The group would like to send two or three members to the conference. We also discussed the possibility of holding a storytelling workshop for the group. The workshop is a storytelling training program specifically designed for our group. The proposal was sent to the group for everyone to have a look at in order to decide if we’re interested.
There was a short discussion about renewing live encounters. A number of members expressed concern that they would not feel safe attending them. Others thought it is very important for the group and that the situation now allows for it. The conclusion was tentatively that we would wait a bit longer to return to live encounters. We discussed together the content we would like in future encounters. There seemed to be consensus to return to a presentation of sorts in every session.
Reporter: Gomer
Jerusalem and Surroundings Interfaith Encounter group
The group, consisting of Muslim and Jewish participants from Jerusalem, gathered for an encounter focused on family roots. The atmosphere was warm and respectful, with mutual understanding throughout. The session began with introductions and well-wishing among the participants. Mohammad shared that he had recently recovered from an illness that required hospitalization, and everyone expressed their wishes for his full recovery. Gili also mentioned her own recovery from a recent illness. The other participants noted that last week had been a mix of “good” and “okay.”
The conversation then turned to family roots…..read more Gili shared that she comes from the Tawil family, originally from Aleppo. This led to a discussion about Jewish families from the Middle East, whose customs and traditions are often similar to those of Muslims. The Muslim participants also shared their family histories, mentioning their roots in places such as Yemen and other Eastern regions of the Middle East, with some tracing their ancestry back to the Canaanites.
The group also discussed plans for a future breakfast organized by the Interfaith Encounter Association, ensuring that the food would accommodate both halal and kosher dietary needs.
The encounter concluded with a musical piece by Mohammad on the oud, adding a positive and harmonious note to the gathering. In summary, the encounter provided an opportunity to deepen cultural and social understanding between Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem, fostering communication and respect through dialogue.
Groups listed from north to south:
- Ma’alot
- Acre
- Karmiel-Majd el-Krum
- Restaurant
- Nazareth Religious Leaders
- Lower Galilee
- Sakhnin College
- M’ghar – Sawa Rabina
- M’ghar – Shibolot
- M’ghar – Bridging
- M’ghar – Lana
- M’ghar – Green Light
- Galilee Women’s Interfaith Encounter (WIE)
- Jordan Valley College (YIE)
- Jezreel Valley-Jenin
- Tabor Area
- Haifa
- Haifa WIE
- Haifa University Youth Interfaith Encounter (YIE)
- Haifa-Jenin
- Gordon College YIE
- Carmel City
- Wadi Ara WIE
- Wadi Ara
- Northern Jordan Valley WIE
- Trips
- With 929 Project
- Nablus Area
- Nablus-Ariel
- Netania-Qalansawa
- Non-Violent Communication
- Sharon-Triangle Religious Leaders
- Amit Bar Ilan-Al Qasemi Schools YIE
- Tel Aviv University YIE
- Oranit-Kfar Kasem WIE
- Petach Tikva – Kfar Kasem
- Model UN YIE
- Petach-Tikva – Tira YIE
- Bar Ilan University YIE
- Tel Aviv-Jaffa
- Modi’in-Ramallah
- A/Nahnu – Mt. Scopus YIE
- Mt. Scopus Language Exchange
- Haredi-Muslim
- East of Jerusalem
- Abu Dis And Maaleh Adumim
- Interfaith Encounter Tours
- Tower of David Forum
- Jerusalem-Ramallah
- Jerusalem-Ramallah YIE
- Prayer focused
- IEA Reut-Sadaqa
- Philosophy
- My Heart in the East WIE
- Study and Dialogue
- Jerusalem WIE
- Jerusalem YIE
- Women’s Language Exchange WIE
- Literature – Young Women WIE
- Yellin College Language Exchange YIE
- Yellin College YIE
- Hartman-Armenian Schools YIE
- Hebron-Nablus-Migdal Oz WIE
- Music in FELM YIE
- Jerusalem and Area
- Faith in Music YIE
- Jewish-Christian study of the Gospel of Mathew
- Nof Zion-Jabel Mukaber
- South Jerusalem
- Ein Karem – Health Equity for all People in Israel
- Ein Karem – Medicine Students YIE
- Jerusalem Arabic Speaking group
- Bibliodrama
- The Future – Mothers and Daughters
- Fananin
- Hashfela
- Interfaith Visits
- Hebrew U.-Bethlehem U. YIE
- Teens YIE
- Women’s Empowerment
- East of Jerusalem YIE
- Jerusalem-Sa’ir
- Jericho Area
- Herzog-Bethlehem YIE
- Gush Etzion
- Siach Yeshiva – Hebron Students YIE
- Circle of Light and Hope
- South of Jerusalem
- Midwives
- Jerusalem-Hebron Religious Leaders
- Jerusalem-Hebron YIE
- Jerusalem-Hebron
- Jerusalem-Yata YIE
- Jerusalem-Yata 2
- South of Hebron YIE
- Bearer of peace – South Mount Hebron
- Arad-Tel Arad WIE
- Yeruham-Rahme WIE
- Eilat
- International Online
