In Action!

A Children's Peace Opera: "The Classroom"

February 8, 2011. New Scotland Elementary School, Albany, NY.
This past February in Albany, New York, 4th and 5th graders from New Scotland Elementary School premiered "The Classroom: A Children's Peace Opera." "The Classroom" is a one act opera where children portray kids from opposing groups. For the premiere, the children represented Israeli and Palestinian students as they go though a school day together in friendship. During the course of the opera the children sing about soccer, taking a test, not liking their lunches, and meeting a new classmate. What the children do not sing about are their differences, because they do not recognize any! So in essence, the most important lesson of "The Classroom" is modeled on stage but left unsung. Between learning the music, painting the scenery, learning about the cultures, and enjoying a cast party at a Middle Eastern restaurant, The Classroom turned out to be a wonderful learning experience for our kids and our community. I invite you to visit “The Classroom” at www.theclassroomopera.com.
Submitted by: Bruce Craig Roter, Albany, NY


Interfaith Worship Service

February 20, 2011. Unity Church, Sarasota, FL.
It has been years since I have felt the kind of spirit I felt at our Ocean Interfaith Devotion Service. To be able to spend time with people of different faiths and cultures is a privilege. To share in the richness of the human experience, to hear the words of God through many different perspectives, to celebrate diversity and to know that we respect and honor each other - priceless. The picture shows some of the organizers of this event, which we plan to hold monthly.
Submitted by: Margaret Germain, Sarasota, FL


Sarasota Textbook Controversy: A Win for WIN

August, 2010
Recently, members of the Women's Interfaith Network of Sarasota stood in unity during a Sarasota County school board meeting. The meeting was held by the Board to hear complaints by a local Tea Party member about a ninth grade history book that allegedly depicted Islam in a favorable light over other faiths. Members of WIN came out for the event and spoke eloquently on peace, tolerance and understanding. Members presented their case on why the history book, World History: Patterns of Interaction, should remain in the school system. Speakers explained how as a group of women in Sarasota, we came to know and understand one another better due to meeting openly and discussing differences of all faiths. Members also stated that there are prejudices in society and that we can only overcome them with dialogue and with understanding one another. At the end of the meeting the school board voted unanimously to keep the book in the school system!. . . read more
Submitted by: Ruta Jouniari, Sarasota, FL


Authority, Leadership, and Peacemaking: The role of the Diasporas

May, 2010
A unique experiential learning event for Arab and Jewish Diaspora communities in the US was held to consider the role of Diaspora communities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how they contribute to the peace process. The focus was on the covert, often unconscious emotions that may serve to fuel the conflict. The conference attracted activists, academics, clergy, leaders, conflict resolution and mental health professionals, including those not of Jewish or Arab heritage. For more details, go to http://www.diasporaforpeace.com.
Submitted by: Tracy Wallach, Dover, MA


Intercultural Cooperation and Collaboration in Uganda

May, 2010
In an effort to promote interreligious/ Interfaith and Intercultural cooperation and collaboration in Uganda, the Catholic bishops of Uganda have established a fully fledged Commission with a permanent Executive Secretary. On June 1st 2009, I was appointed the first Executive Secretary of this new Commission known as the Uganda CATHOLIC Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism, UCCID/ECU. The main mission of this Commission is to promote interfaith / intercultural cooperation and collaboration in Uganda. Religious and tribal conflicts in Uganda have caused a lot of destruction and untold suffering. The war in northern Uganda has lasted for the last twenty years and has left thousands and thousands of our people displaced or maimed. Young girls and women have been raped, others have been forced into marriage with rebel commanders still living in the jungle. Young boys have been forced into rebel ranks, under the Lord’s Resistance Army, LRA. .The UCCID/ECU is charged with the duty of promoting dialogue in these difficult circumstances.
Submitted by: Vincent Karatunga , Kampala, Uganda


Martin Luther King Jr. III Speaks at Non-Violence Conference

April 15, 2010
Martin Luther King Jr. III recently spoke at an Israeli conference on non-violence. The conference was co-sponsored by the Realizing the Dream Institute and the Peres Peace Center in Jaffa. The speakers included political, military, and NGO leaders dealing with various aspects of non-violence. MLK Jr. III beseeched us to have the Palestinian-Israeli conflict become a model of a "non-violent movement". We were privileged to give him an inscribed copy of our book: "Sixty Years, Sixty Voices: Israeli and Palestinian Women" (www.60voices.org). He was thrilled to see that the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim women from all walks of life featured in the book all speak of their hopes for peace.
Submitted by: Elana Rozenman, Jerusalem, Israel


Conflict Resolution in the Congo

April, 2010
Here in the Congo, we have just started a new non-profit organization to do peace and conflict resolution focusing on education. We are working with different groups but mostly with children, youth and women, as they were the most affected by the recent war. Some of them are HIV/Aids positive and others have different problems resulting from the violence they experienced. The people in eastern D.R.Congo need the support of other groups and individuals who know about interfaith conflict resolution. Thank you and God bless you.
Submitted by: Samuel Muderhwa, Cyangugu Rwanda


Tolerance in Nigeria

December, 2009
I have been struggling to let people believe in tolerance especially with the incessant cases of the Muslim-Christian trouble in Nigeria. It is now my desire to ask you to help me establish a center here, because it is highly needed here.
Submitted by: The Revd Henry, Aba, Abia Nigeria


Multi- Media Event on the Middle East

December, 2009
YesMEP (Yes, We Can:Middle East Peace) -- dedicated to seeking a sustainable peace in that region -- drew an audience of 200+ to a show that included testimony and storytelling from Israelis and Palestinians, music of Arab and Jewish cultures, dramatic readings, an Israeli/Palestinian rock band and prayers by Muslim, Jewish and Christian clergy. The event was held at the historic Sixth and I Synagogue in the heart of the nation\'s capital. Future YesMEP events will include sharing and policy discussions involving a wide range of participants. See the group's website at www.yesmep.org.
Submitted by: Alexander Patico, Washington, D.C.


Community College Event

November, 2009
On Wednesday, November 11th, over 80 Gateway Community College students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered to watch a CRT power point and to discuss the topic of "Israel/Palestine: Impacts of Conflict on Mental Health, Child Health and Prospects for Peace". I met with the students afterwards and I was amazed at how much they were able to recall from the presentation. They spoke in detail about empathy and healing; at the end, the whole class concluded that the Arab Palestinians should assimilate into Israel and benefit from being part of the new nation. They compared the Palestinians' situation to the native American Indians after the birth of America. They discussed how the native Americans fought for their homeland and were defeated by the settlers, then put on reservations but now are part of our country and making "big bucks" in casinos. They felt the Palestinians might gain status over time in Israel like the American Indians. They are now writing the first drafts of essays on the topic.
Submitted by: Susan Chenard, New Haven, CT

Letter to the Editor

July, 2009
On July 16th, the New York Times Magazine published a letter from Jelilah Judith Allen in Seattle. In response to an article on urban farmer Will Allen, Jelilah urged the media to print more stories on "people all over the world doing groundbreaking work dealing with seemingly intractable problems - like peace in the Middle East." She goes on to note that people are hungry to hear stories like this, and that being inspired by others will help them to "take heart and start to work creatively in their own communities." What a great example of the spirit of social activism!
Submitted by: Andy Blanch, Sarasota, FL

Yale Hosts Interfaith Seder

April, 2009
On April 15, 2009 Rabbi Jim Ponet (the Jewish Chaplain of Yale's Slifka Center) and Andy Blanch (a visiting scholar at Yale) worked to organize an interfaith seder that brought together Muslim, Christian, Jewish, atheist, and agnostic members of the Yale community for an evening of discussion, food and laughter. The event was a wonderful success, bringing together people with a shared interest in promoting interfaith dialogue and providing a space for religious celebration and open discussion. The theme of the seder was "Freedom, Love and Change" and there was a focus on the Middle Eastern region. One of the questions posed during the seder was, "What are the most important things to teach our children?" The questions promoted a stimulating discussion and the entire evening was devoted to discussions of peace and love and of how the various Abrahamic faiths approach these topics. Because of the success of this event, Yale hopes to make the interfaith seder an annual event.
Submitted by: Molly Moran, New Haven, CT

A Senior Thesis

April, 2009
Hello Everyone! I wanted to write in about the senior thesis that I have just completed. For my thesis, I addressed the question: How affective are Abrahamic faith-based NGOs in their work towards peace and development. I talked about the work that the Center for Religious Tolerance was doing with the "Abrahamic Reunion" project. I took on this issue because I believe that faith is the only way that we can work with the community in order to resolve conflicts. If we work with people's beliefs, we can truly understand where a community gets their morals and values, and with that we are able to work with them instead of commanding them to change. These types of organizations are crucial to the peacemaking process, and I hope that my thesis will help my college community understand that, as well as any other people that read my work. Thank You!
Submitted by: Nicole Chininis, Providence, RI

Peace Pals

March, 2009
In Sarasota FL, the Women's Interfaith Network (WIN) has collected almost 100 stuffed animals in an interfaith peace project. Each animal sports a baby's undershirt with the PeacePal logo created by Amani Makarita. We wanted to do something that would let the children of the world know that our hearts and thoughts are with them and we wanted them to have something comforting to hold onto. Each animal has a tag written in 3 languages - Arabic, English and Hebrew which reads, Think of love and peace each time you hold this. We want that for you and for all children everywhere The project was created and coordinated by co-chairs Arlene Pearlman, Jacci Tutt and Sarah Zaouzal.
Submitted by: Arlene Pearlman, Sarasota, FL

Teaching Tolerance

February, 2009
In February, Don Beazler's History Club invited me to lead a discussion on religious tolerance. Students investigated the meaning of and obstacles to tolerance in themselves, their community and the world. The role of moral ambiguity, self knowledge and understanding multiple perspectives were debated and thoroughly examined. I had so much fun talking to these students, they were bright, enthusiastic, and fully engaged in the discussion. These types of discussions are always inspiring and wonderful learning experiences for everyone.

Submitted by: Anna Lewis, Ph.D., Sarasota, FL

Interfaith Community Service

December, 2008
The Women's Interfaith Network (WIN) of Sarasota-Bradenton collected 1,298 disposable diapers for Baby Basics, an organization serving young mothers in need. According to Elizabeth Wildhack from Baby Basics, that\'s enough for 17 families for 2 months. Additional items collected included flushable wipes, formula, food, and handmade boy and girl infant blankets. Helping those in need is a basic premise of all religions and is especially important during hard economic times. Thanks to all the WIN women who helped!
Submitted by: Jacci Tutt, Sarasota, FL

 

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