Dear TalkMatters Supporters,
On Sunday I joined a Roots webinar entitled Peace-Makers at a Time of War. Roots is a Palestinian Israeli Initiative in the Gush Etzion-Bethlehem-Hebron area. They are the first to build a community centre in the West Bank encouraging understanding and non-violence between Palestinians and Israelis.
Certainly a tall order at this divisive time in history. The mood on the ground is poisonous and our speakers Noor Awad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger did not shy away from what is happening. We heard about the current chasm between Israeli and Palestinian peace activists with many disillusioned with the idea of partnership. Both sides were unable to recognise the shame, humiliation and fear of the other. Both sides are pushing into the hands of extremism. It is a vicious cycle of hurt and pain that precipitates more hurt and pain.
Then we heard Roots’ response to the situation. An acknowledgement that now is the time to accept the legitimacy of our partner on the other side – to show compassion and empathy and take responsibility for our partner’s pain. To be brave enough to condemn what our own side is doing and not to make demands of the other side. To recognise that both peoples have caused and suffered too much. To let the healing begin with a slow steady process that involves facing up to the context behind the hurt and pain. Yes, they know that steps need to be taken towards a political settlement but they see their ‘people to people’ approach as essential if there is ever to be peace in the future.
This very much accords with TalkMatters’s philosophy. Maybe the Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza means that the ‘people to people‘ approach will be taken seriously by many more people. We are talking about what happens the day after this war ends and of new ways to address the never-ending Israeli Palestinian conflict. TalkMatters can help here. We support over thirty cooperative grassroots initiatives that provide opportunities for people from different communities to meet, talk, listen and build up trust. This is an important part of the way forward. We need to increase the number of followers for each initiative and increase the number of initiatives. This needs your support. If the leaders of these initiatives have the courage to continue striving for peace, justice, and equality we can and must be by their side. Their way is the way of hope for the future of Israel and Palestine..
Today we also bring you hope for our country – the UK. Despite the discord we have seen at demonstrations about Gaza and Israel, the links between Muslim and Jewish communities at the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester are stronger than ever. Mohammed Amin MBE is the Co-Chair of the Forum. Mohammed has been a great friend and adviser to TalkMatters right from our start three years ago. I highly recommend that you read his article on the Impact of the Gaza Conflict in Britain.
TalkMatters is supporting Solstice Day of Peace on the 22nd December. See below for more details.
Also below there are inspiring stories from the Hand in Hand Schools and the Freddie Krivine Tennis Initiative.
We are taking a break until the 10th January but before signing off, we would like to wish everyone happy times whether it be for the closing days of Chanukah, the advent of Christmas and/or the approaching festive season.
All good wishes,
Jenny and the TalkMatters Team.
Hand in Hand Schools
There are six Hand In Hand bilingual, integrated schools with over 2,000 students from diverse communities across the country. These schools operate in partnership with the Ministry of Education, in a model with potential for scaling across Israel for far-reaching change.
Dear Friends,
Today we’d like to share a story:
A few weeks ago, at the Max Rayne Hand in Hand Jerusalem High School, one of the Jewish teachers was wearing two yellow ribbons on her wrist. A few of her Arab students noticed, and weren’t sure what to make of it as many symbols have come to take on new meaning during the war. But since this encounter took place at Hand in Hand, the students were able to safely ask their teacher about it.
The teacher explained that the yellow ribbons are symbols of support for the Israeli hostages, and she was wearing two ribbons for her two uncles who are among those in captivity. As you can imagine, the conversation immediately shifted. The students offered words of comfort, and hoped that their question didn’t make the teacher uncomfortable. The teacher told them that, on the contrary, she was happy that they had the chance the ask someone they could trust. We’re grateful to be part of an integrated space where we can learn from each other with compassion and respect.
(This story was told by HIH Jerusalem’s high school principal Efrat Meyer during our webinar last month)
We’re together every day at Hand in Hand, so it’s easy for us to remember that we have a lot in common. But outside it’s harder to see, especially now.
HIH Galilee students wanted to find a way to remind folks of all we share, and created banners with things that bring them together–coloring, soccer, learning languages, and, of course, encouragement and love. Teachers, parents, and kids hung up the banners in the Sakhnin and Misgav community centers.
Let’s remember that no matter what, we share our future.
Even now, Hand in Hand parents aren’t just keeping their kids in school but also spending time together on the weekend. Even during this same weekend when fighting resumed between Israel and Hamas, Hand in Hand families in three cities came together in friendship. They met in parks, living rooms, planted a community garden, and celebrated a 10th birthday.
We’re enduring this moment through the strength of our relationships and trust. It’s what makes it possible to keep playing and learning and talking together, even as the war tears most of our society apart. Perhaps it’s not a matter of coming together even now – but rather especially now.
There’s something about this war that’s affected so many people around the world.
One day it’ll end, and then Jews and Arabs will need to start a journey to rebuild our society. But the current rhetoric demonizing and polarizing each side will only make it harder for us to move forward.
We implore everyone to keep this reality in mind. No one is going anywhere, so we need to get through this together.
The Hand in Hand Schools are featured in our directory and has their own website. There are details of how you can donate to help support their work on this page of their website.
The Freddie Krivine Tennis Initiative
“Sport has the power to change a nation because sport has the power to inspire” Nelson Mandela
For over 20 years the Freddie Krivine Initiative has helped to break down stereotypes by bringing Jewish and Arab children together through their interest in tennis.
Since October 7, all our lives have been shrouded in a fog, leaving many of us feeling disoriented and disconnected to real life.
On Thursday began Hanukkah, a festival that dispels darkness one candle at a time – and yesterday FKI brought together Jewish and Arab children from the Israeli communities of Jisr a Zarka, Faradis, Binyamina, and the Moshavim in Hof Hacarmel.
The scene was nothing short of magical as the children laughed, ran around, tagged each other, and engaged in tennis games, a testament to the possibility of living together in peace, side by side. The joy exhibited by the kids was a reminder that unity, understanding and shared experiences can bridge gaps.
What made this gathering even more special was the simplicity with which the children interacted. They encouraged their team members, cracked jokes, and jumped up and down with boundless enthusiasm. In their world, coexistence is not a complex concept; it’s a way of life.
We are creating a blueprint for how our society could be—one where laughter and play replace animosity and division.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support – it means so much to us!
The Freddie Krivine Tennis Initiative is featured in our directory has their own website and joined us for our first live event in June 2023. There are details on this page of their website which show how you can donate to help support their work.
Solstice Peace Project
Action is needed to celebrate peace on 22nd December – the Winter Solstice – the day that heralds the return of the light in the Northern Hemisphere. This project uses the solstice to prompt linked actions worldwide that encourage peace.
There is a heaviness touching the hearts of people worldwide. It not just the wars in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It’s because we are connected on so many different levels and feel each other’s distress deeply. This is why we can lighten the world’s burden by praying for peace and performing actions – both symbolic and substantial in their hopefulness – to promote peace. We can emphasize the power of peace by focusing on peace and amplifying its impact by coming together to call for peace.
Action Needed
These actions would focus only on peace, eschewing politics and the taking of sides.
1 To reach out to religious community leaders to ask for their support. To request religious leaders to encourage their congregations to hold services for peace on Dec. 22, 2023. As it is a Friday, mosques and synagogues will be holding services anyway. We would encourage the addition of a special Friday service for Christians and the holding of special services in Hindu and Buddhist temples and Sikh gurdwaras
2 To invite communities worldwide to hold an event promoting peace on Dec. 22, the day that heralds the return of the light in the Northern Hemisphere. The event could take any form – a religious service, a concert, a reading, a moment of communal silence,
3 To encourage people to place a candle in their window to promote peace on the night of Dec. 21-22 as a symbol of the presence of peace and to encourage the promotion of peace.
For more details please see the Solstice of Peace’s website and to show your support, complete their form.
Please pass on this information
Please pass on this information to your friends and colleagues. Please talk about the human stories that we share with you. In the horrendous circumstances we all find ourselves, TalkMatters continues to introduce the UK public to the people who refuse to see one another as enemies. We believe in supporting the grass-roots work in Israel and Palestine and we know that it is only by working together with you – our UK supporters – and with our Israeli-Palestinian Associates that we can ever walk another path. A path that leads to a future of peace, justice and equality for everyone.
We send out regular newsletters like this, and run our own in-person and online live events – we’d love to be able to keep you up to date! Please subscribe to our free mailing list using the form on this page.
Thank you for your support.
Jenny and the TalkMatters Team.
