Medical Supplies Supplies Reach Reach Al-Shifa Al-Shifa Hospital Hospital Medical This summer, in response to the war in Gaza, many residents of the village of Neve Shalom/Wahat This summer, in response to the war in Gaza, many residents of the village of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam wanted wanted to to express express their their concern concern and and find find aa way way to to help help the the al-Salam Palestinians living living in in Gaza. Gaza. They They held held aa Village-wide Village-wide meeting, meeting, and and together together Palestinians decided to take up a collection to assist the wounded by contributing to the decided to take up a collection to assist the wounded by contributing to the Al-Shifa Hospital Hospital in in Gaza. Gaza. They They invited invited friends friends from from around around the the world world to to Al-Shifa contribute to to the the fund, fund, and and jointly jointly raised raised more more than than $50,000. $50,000. The The money money contribute raised allowed the Village, aided by NSWAS resident Dr. Raed Haj Yahya, to raised allowed the Village, aided by NSWAS resident Dr. Raed Haj Yahya, to get medical medical supplies supplies and and equipment equipment to to the the hospital. hospital. Dr. Dr. Haj Haj Yahya Yahya get coordinated the the response response and and delivered delivered surgical surgical sets, sets, ultrasonic ultrasonic cleaners, cleaners, coordinated emergency kits for ambulances, stainless steel and emergency trolleys, and emergency kits for ambulances, stainless steel and emergency trolleys, and hospital beds. beds. Dr. Dr. Haj Haj Yahya Yahya arranged arranged the the delivery delivery and and continues continues to to volunteer volunteer at at Al-Shifa Al-Shifa with with Physicians Physicians hospital for Human Human Rights. Rights. for The Humanitarian Assistance Project, which includes both first and second generation Villagers, The Humanitarian Assistance Project, which includes both first and second generation Villagers, plans plans to to continue continue its its work, work, first first by by continuing continuing to to work work with with Al-Shifa Al-Shifa and and other other hospitals hospitals and and helping helping get get needed needed equipment, equipment, and and then, then, by by assisting assisting needy needy families families in in Gaza Gaza find find needed needed treatment treatment in in Israel Israel for for their their family members. family members. Rita Boulos, Village member and HAP participant says, "There is always time for pain and time for Rita Boulos, Village member and HAP participant says, "There is always time for pain and time for healing,, we we hope hope the the time time for for pain pain has has passed passed … … NSWAS NSWAS and and our our international international friends friends extend extend our our support support healing to the the people people in in Gaza Gaza to to help help heal heal their their wounds wounds and and burns burns from from the the recent recent war war.” .” to 2014 Year End 2014 Year End Thirty-two years years ago, ago, David David Matz Matz volunteered volunteered to to serve serve on on the the fledgling fledgling board board of of direcdirecThirty-two tors of AFNSWAS and has continued his high-energy service whether on the Executive tors of AFNSWAS and has continued his high-energy service whether on the Executive Committee or or as as president, president, treasurer treasurer or or vice vice president. president. Since Since volunteering volunteering with with the the Committee Peace Corps Corps and and co-founding co-founding the the Law Law School School at at the the University University of of Liberia, Liberia, David David Matz Matz Peace engaged in a lifetime of work in mediation, dispute resolution and conflict transformaengaged in a lifetime of work in mediation, dispute resolution and conflict transformation. As As part part of of this this work, work, David David has has designed designed and and developed developed mediation mediation and and negotiation negotiation tion. training for for attorneys, attorneys, health health care care professionals, professionals, prison prison superintendents, superintendents, Palestinian Palestinian training judges and attorneys, and mediators in Israel. He has served as consultant on Alternajudges and attorneys, and mediators in Israel. He has served as consultant on Alternative Dispute Dispute resolution resolution for for the the Ministry Ministry of of Justice Justice and and the the High High Court Court of of Israel Israel while while his his tive parallel commitment commitment has has taken taken him him to to Neve Neve Shalom/Wahat Shalom/Wahat al-Salam al-Salam more more times times than than we we can can count. count. parallel David is currently working on nurturing the development of the Peace College at Neve Shalom/Wahat alDavid is currently working on nurturing the development of the Peace College at Neve Shalom/Wahat alSalam and and its its new new MA MA program program in in partnership partnership with with Graduate Graduate Program Program in in Dispute Dispute Resolution Resolution of, of, which which he he Salam serves as as Director, Director, in in the the Department Department of of Conflict Conflict Resolution, Resolution, Human Human Security Security and and Global Global Governance Governance at at serves the University of Massachusetts, Boston. His work in mediation — whether helping to improve communithe University of Massachusetts, Boston. His work in mediation — whether helping to improve communication, eliminating eliminating conflicts conflicts based based on on misunderstandings misunderstandings or or helping helping the the parties parties break break out out of of tunnel tunnel vision vision cation, — is is an an integral integral part part of of preventing preventing the the escalation escalation or or expansion expansion of of aa conflict, conflict, an an outcome outcome that that moves moves things things — in the right direction and gives participants a reason to hope. in the right direction and gives participants a reason to hope. David now now brings brings his his talents talents and and focus focus to to the the new new Peace Peace College College precisely precisely because because it it will will prepare prepare profesprofesDavid sionals in in all all areas areas of of work, work, using using all all of of the the educational educational opportunities opportunities at at the the Village Village as as aa living living laboratory. laboratory. sionals “My work with Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salaam is now in its 33rd year. The Villagers are my heroes because “My work with Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salaam is now in its 33rd year. The Villagers are my heroes because they do do the the extremely extremely difficult, difficult, even even painful, painful, day-to-day day-to-day work work of of making making peace. peace. They They may may struggle struggle endendthey lessly, but but they they don't don't quit.” quit.” lessly, For David Matz, his work on behalf of the American Friends of NSWAS is the best way he has found to For David Matz, his work on behalf of the American Friends of NSWAS is the best way he has found to help these these peace-builders peace-builders do do their their work. work. help Peace is Still Possible David Matz, Matz, Supporter Supporter and and Board Board Member Member since since 1982 1982 David 229 N. Central Ave, Ste. 401 Glendale, CA 91203-3541 The Nadi: Where Youth Are Leading the Way Primary School: Deep Roots Are Growing Stronger PSCC: Healing Wounds Inside this issue: School for Peace: Taking Action The Nadi: Where Youth Are Leading the Way Primary School: Deep Roots Are Growing Profile: David Matz Stronger Medical Supplies for Gaza Update PSCC: Healing Wounds School for Peace: Taking Action Letter from the President of AFNSWAS Profile: David Matz Dear Friends, Medical Supplies for Gaza Update What an incredible year it has been at the Village of NSWAS — despite Letter from the President of AFNSWAS what is going on in the larger Israel/Palestine area. The people in the Vil- Board President Judy Dubin with friend Rami Manaa, whom she met when he was in the Primary School. Board President Judy Dubin with friend Rami Manaa, whom she met when he was in the Primary School. Looking Ahead to a City Near You! Between January 26 and February 13, 2015, members of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam will be visiting New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco and we may be able to arrange a stop in the Washington, DC area. Stay tuned for more information. The American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Service Code. The American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam 229 N. Central Ave Ste. 401 Glendale, CA 91203-3541 Phone:(818) 662-8883 Email: [email protected] Donate: www.oasisofpeace.org/donate Inside this issue: Please Support Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam by Making a Donation! Dear Friends, lage are moving ahead with their lives, working for peace and showing What an incredible year itthe has been at Village of NSWAS — despite the world how — despite conflict — the people can live together. what going onwith in the Israel/Palestine area. Thetrip people in the VilI wantisto share yoularger my impressions of my recent to the Village. lage are moving ahead with their lives, working for peace and showing Whenever I go to Israel, the Village is my home-base (actually, it feels like the world how — despite the conflict — people can live together. my second home). It was exciting to be back in Neve Shalom/Wahat alI want to share with you my impressions of my recent trip to the Village. Salam after eight years. It felt familiar and it felt safe. Whenever I go to Israel, the Village is my home-base (actually, it feels like my second home). It was exciting to beofback Neve Shalom/Wahat alI went for the Annual General Meeting the in International Friends AssoSalam after eight years. It felt familiar and it felt safe. ciation of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam groups, which includes dozens of I went for the General Meeting of the International Friends Assorepresentatives from throughout Europe andAnnual the United States. The meeting is an intensive three-day of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam groups, which includes dozensthe of briefing and up-date on Villageciation activities, including reports from the various educational institutions: representatives from throughout Europe and the United States. The meeting is an intensive three-day Primary School, the School for Peace, the Pluralistic Spiritual Community Center, the Spiritual Center’s briefing and up-date on Village reports the various educational institutions: the Peace Museum and Gallery, andactivities, the Nadiincluding Afterschool Youthfrom Leadership Development Program. Included Primary School, the School for Peace, the Pluralistic Spiritual Community Center, the Spiritual Center’s in the Annual General Meeting was a report on the increasing use of and need for the Village’s Fred Peace Museum and Gallery, and the Nadi Afterschool Youth Leadership Development Program. Included Segal Library, andMeeting the developing Peace College. Another highlight was need hearing Golan, one of in thePeace Annual General was a report on the increasing use of and forGalia the Village’s Fred my Israeli heroes and a board member of the Peace College (expected to open in the Fall of 2015), deSegal Peace Library, and the developing Peace College. Another highlight was hearing Galia Golan, one of scribe plans for itsand future. my Israeli heroes a board member of the Peace College (expected to open in the Fall of 2015), describe plans for its future. As I walked around the Village and listened to its dedicated leaders, I thought about my investment As I walked themoney. Village I and listened to its friends. dedicated I thought about my investment there, both inaround time and hugged my special I satleaders, with a few of the kindergartners in their there, both in time and money. I hugged my special friends. I sat with a few of the kindergartners theirI classroom and watched them pick out their names in Arabic and Hebrew and thought about howinlucky classroom and watched them pick out their names in Arabic and Hebrew and thought about how lucky I am to be connected to this place of sanity and wisdom and to be able to support it. I will return. am to be connected to this place of sanity and wisdom and to be able to support it. I will return. The following following pages pages include include reports reports from from the the educational educational programs programs that that the the American American Friends Friends of of NSWAS NSWAS The supports in in the the Village. Village. They They describe describe where where your your donations donations go go and and the the impact impact of of your your donation donation on on that that supports work. I thank you for your continuing support and commitment, and for being a part of this journey. Judy Judy Dubin, Dubin, President President of of the the Board Board Please Support Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam by Making a Donation Please Support Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam by Making a Donation The American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam encourages, supports, and publicizes the projects of The American Friendsal-Salam, of Neve the Shalom/Wahat al-Salam supports, and publicizes the projects of Neve Shalom/Wahat “Oasis of Peace.” Forencourages, more than 30 years, NSWAS has been dedicated to Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, the “Oasis Peace.” For more thanArabs 30 years, NSWAS has been dedicated to dialogue, cooperation, and a genuine and of durable peace between and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis. dialogue, cooperation, a genuine peacethe between Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis. Learn about and the many waysand youdurable can support programs at www.oasisofpeace.org. Learn about the many ways you can support the programs at www.oasisofpeace.org. Most recently, 38 youth participants (half Bedouin and half Jewish) from southern communities close to Gaza kicked off their year of volunteer service work at the PSCC with the Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation (AJEEC), where facilitated meetings, art, storytelling and nature workshops helped to solidify strong relations for the coming year. In the near future, and in collaboration with “Open House Ramle” and the Kehilat Birkat Shalom Congregation, the PSCC is planning a four-month long program for 16 to 20 women in the area of Ramle-Lydda with the goal of creating lasting bonds among women. — Carmella Ferber, Principal In order to create bonds of reconciliation between different worlds, says PSCC Director, Dafna Swartz, “We need to create new tools and a fresh concept of self as it relates to the other. How do we conduct ourselves in separation? How attuned are we to unity? And to what degree can power relations of ‘me or you’ make room for ‘me AND you’?” What’s next? The principal plans to involve parents in issues of Arab-Jewish relations and to hold seminars on issues of coexistence for parents and teachers together. She is also excited about a multi-year study and evaluation of the student’s language acquisition and skills that will begin in collaboration with Dr. Ora Mor, a bilingualism specialist from Haifa University. School for Peace: Taking Action at Home and Branching Out Globally ing drais Programs 82.1% How Our Money Was Allocated in the Last 5 years .9% rt 5 $1,244,299* % 10.6 Library and Research Center po 7.3 School For Peace Su p % Where Your Donations Go: AFNSWAS Report $514,846 *Amount of funds raised includes money from the USAID Grant Primary School $1,050,445 g aisin un d r Peace College ral ist ic S $2 pir 3,5 itu 63 al C % 19.5 *F $71,653 Plu n Aid Humanitaria 1,544 Project $1 Please make sure you have our new address! 229 N. Central Ave Ste 401 Glendale, CA 91203-3541 With that commitment, the 40 members of the youth group called “Massa-Massar” decided to form two groups, one for 10th-graders and another for 18-to-24 year-olds. The PSCC will continue its connection with “Open House Ramle” and create a series of 12 weekly encounters, including a two-day encounter for the 10thgraders of the Jewish Givat Brener High School and the Arab Orthodox School in the town of Ramle. The 18-to24 year-olds will take part in two-day workshops taking place once every five weeks. “ With the recent war, increasing evidence of intolerance and lack of recognition of multiculturalism in Israeli society, the Primary School’s role has become more important, and its mission to develop curricula that can contribute to an accepting, respectful society more relevant.” Fun We’ve Moved! The staff at the Pluralistic Spiritual Community Center (PSCC) faced many challenges this year due to the Gaza conflict. However, the message is clear that when those who believe in peace are determined to come together, they will — no matter what the circumstances! Just as the students strengthen their language learning and social integration skills by learning in two languages and two narratives, the teachers also receive in-service training, focusing on issues of coexistence, identity and working together. Their training also takes place in two languages with two narratives. As the new School Principal said recently, rt — Karin Guggenheim-Shbeta, 17 yrs This year, the students at the Nadi are developing a plan for the Primary School to prepare the younger students for unexpected social barriers they are likely to meet. The students have also arranged to work with the principal of the regional high school to reduce racism and the sense of conflict. They are working with individual teachers there to develop classroom strategies for addressing racism when it occurs. The students and teachers at this high school are watching the students from Neve Shalom/Wahat alSalam, learning from them, and slowly changing their minds about many of their prejudices. The influence of these teens from the Nadi at Neve Shalom/Wahat al Salam is spreading, slowly and surely, one student, one teacher, one school, at a time. Pluralistic Spiritual Community Center: Healing Wounds The Primary School is significantly deepening its focus this year, creating more opportunities in the School’s physical environment. Surrounded by fields, open space and groves of trees, it is truly an oasis. Learning from that environment by connecting the children to local agriculture — whether by making oil from olives or juice from grapes, or by planting edible gardens or building a greenhouse together— helps connect the children and their families more deeply to the land, and in turn to the people around them. The school playground is also integral to both language learning and social integration, so formal plans are being developed and revised to integrate the environmental curriculum with a fully accessible expanded range of play spaces and activities. po In Israel, schools are segregated according to whether you are Jewish or Arab. But after attending the Primary School at NSWAS, Arab children are allowed to attend a regional high school that welcomes students from Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam. There, both the Jewish and Arab children from the Village encounter a different world, a world where, following the war in Gaza, anti-Arab racism is ever-present and openly accepted. The pressure on Jewish students to join with the dominant culture or be ostracized themselves, or on the Arab students to continue as successful students while enduring racial slurs and threats, is enormous. All secondary schools in Israel also have youth centers, either Jewish or Arab – but the Village has a youth center that welcomes BOTH Arab and Jewish students, because that is who are our students. In the Village, the Nadi is the space where the youth who live in the Village, most of them graduates of the Primary School, can come together, find their friends, and find mentors who prepare them for dealing pro-actively with the challenges confronting them. At the Nadi they can become mentors to other youth and can model the type of change they want to see in themselves and others. Many of the youth consider the NADI Youth Center a second home, a relaxed and safe place to hang out and reflect on the conflict around them. They come to support one another, to participate in Youth Leadership programs, to study, and to be normal teenagers together in a region that wants them to be separate. “We sat on the grass and started by asking what the Village wants for us ... Did they understand how important it was for their kids to have strong character for leadership?” The Primary School’s Deep Roots Are Growing Stronger Su p The Nadi: Where Youth Are Leading the Way Programs 74.6% With the goal of influencing those with influence, the SFP is continuing its “Change Agents” courses which are directed at key social sectors. It has also created workshops for youth, teachers and parents of NSWAS Primary School. SFP Director Nava Sonnenschein is also excited to announce plans for a Global Peace Initiative for 24 women from Turkey, Palestine, Israel, India, and South Africa. en ter How Your Donations Supported the Village in the Last 5 Years The School for Peace (SFP) has been hard at work this year, expanding its partnerships and creating new programs in an effort to counteract negative repercussions from the most recent conflict in Gaza. It has added new courses with the Arab Student Unions, which provide tools to deal with the racism and hostility in today’s society. It has also increased the number of courses at Ben Gurion University in the Negev. The SFP has developed a strategic planning committee with Israel’s pro-peace parties, human rights NGOs and its partners in Palestine, and has been hosting meetings and planning on-the-ground activities. The first meeting resulted in a very successful demonstration in the Arab town of Tira, which hundreds of Jews and Arabs attended. In addition to hearing from key figures in the pro-peace community in Israel, the demonstration included speeches by members of the Knesset Muhammed Barcha and Dov Hanin. How Our Money Was Allocated For 2013-2014 *We are investing in growing the development arm of AFNSWAS In order to ensure steady growth of the SFP and its networks, the SFP held regional forums and meetings for past graduates in Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. The SFP will focus next on projects that include working with young Arab women as they transition from village to university life, and empowering Arab student unions. The SFP is expanding partnerships with the Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation (AJEEC), Tawasul, and the Arab Center for Alternative Planning in the Galilee.
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