Dear TalkMatters Supporters,
I hope you are doing as well as can be expected during these challenging and uncertain times.
Telling new audiences about the initiatives that continue working in war times
Since back from Israel, I’ve been speaking to new audiences about the people that are continuing their work in these days of conflict. In this first photo, I was speaking in Stanmore (north west London) – telling them about the initiatives in the TalkMatters directory.
In Weybridge Surrey with Michael Macy, Trustee of the Abrahamic Reunion
I believe that it’s more important than ever to say that the Jewish and Arab people involved in the initiatives absolutely refuse to live with hatred and fear of the ‘Other’. These are the people uplifting the voices of Civil Society as they work for a just, peaceful, and secure future for all people in the region. We desperately need their voices. If you join me in this belief then your support for these initiatives is an opportunity to take action.
Updates received recently
Hand in Hand Schools
Less than two weeks ago, Hand in Hand School’s students were excitedly preparing for end of year ceremonies and graduation. Parents, students, and teachers were looking forward to celebrating the grit and hard work that got us all through an extraordinarily difficult year.
But now we’re navigating another war. Schools are closed; ceremonies moved online. And almost every night’s sleep is interrupted by sirens. Whatever one’s opinion on the Iran war, its toll on young people is harsh, and it counters our enduring belief that peace is both urgent and possible here and across the region … read more
The Abraham Initiatives
The Abraham Initiative’s Co-CEOs Shahira Shalaby and Amnon Be’eri Sulitzeanu report
The Hebrew University
With Israel at war and a state of emergency declared, every aspect of civil life in the country has been dramatically disrupted. Hostilities erupted on the very day that hundreds of friends from around the world had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hebrew University. Regrettably, in accordance with directives from Israel’s Home-Front Command, the The Hebrew University had no choice but to cancel all events—two years of meticulous planning undone in an instant….read more
JOIN US ON AN INTERFAITH TRIP TO WAHAT AL-SALAM~NEVE SHALOM
Whatever we report, it is not the same as seeing for yourself what is happening at a grassroots level. Here is your opportunity. In November, TalkMatters together with Oasis of Peace UK are going to visit Wahat al Salam ~Neve Shalom (WaSNS) – the village in Israel where Jews and Arabs have lived in a shared equitable society ever since the 1970s. This special place is where half a classroom of children has family in Gaza, and the other half has siblings in the Israeli Defence Force. A place of immense complexity. A place where people commit daily to building a future of peace. A place that shows us that despite the relentless conflict peace is possible. Read more….
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Please pass on this information
In a time where conflict and division seem to increase daily, fear and pain threaten to silence us, 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. Please pass on this information to your friends and colleagues.
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That’s it for now with profound hopes for a return of the hostages and the cessation of all violence with peaceful coexistence.
Jenny Nemko and the TalkMatters Team