My Activities
I am present. For years now, I dedicate at least one day every week, to encounter, to listen, to meet and to support my Palestinian neighbors.
Sometimes it means bringing a gas stove to a widow with seven children who cannot buy it,
sometimes helping a few women, whose homes were demolished a month ago by the Civil Administration to try to establish a small business of traditional embroidery,
sometimes it is to reach a distant encampment where there is a sick old woman who cannot easily reach to To receive medical care and to take care of her,
sometimes to help a mother with five children whose husband is very ill and undergoes many treatments and no breadwinner, to sell her pickles so that she can support her family,
sometimes to supporting a family while the father donated bone marrow to his sick daughter in blood cancer in the months he could not work,
sometimes it was to play with the child Balloons, play marbles, or learn funny movements of Tai Chi.
But many times it's just being together. Consistently, every week, to give the attention of the moment, to show that someone cares for them - and that someone is an Israeli.
Happily, many are joining me - Israelis and internationals who bear witness that peace is possible - here and now. In the last few years I joined the network of the Interfaith Encounter Association who gives me organizational auspices and I collaborate with Roots initiative - Palestinians and settlers in the Gush Etzion area who chose to cultivate initiatives and benevolence and personal connections on a daily basis in a complex reality.
To summarize my presence in two words: To See and be Seen.
To see in my own eyes how my neighbors live, those who are called by those who do not know them as "our enemies."
And be seen. I come as someone who belongs to the people of Israel ,present a different presence that also dims the label "enemy" that they usually have on us.
Would you like to join me, to initiate an activity, to support me in any way? See here for my open invitation for you to join.
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One of the things that may help Palestine to choose fighting for freedom in nonviolent ways - will be through women. most women in the society are obeying only what men say, and thus are not free to fulfill their wishes and dreams. by creating work opportunities such as embroidery and cooking and supporting women high education, women will get higher respect in the society and will start to influence the masculine attitude to be come softer.
Inshalla !
Women empowerment
For over 30 years I am offering my experience to try to minimize the pain and suffering of individuals, and to support a good health and well-being through the art of Chinese Medicine Zen shiatsu and Mindfulness. when i just strted to visit palestine , i have notice the deep need to take care on all aspect of lives. with life limitation such as money, no politic change, and lack of awareness, i meet the people in their homes and from time to time , they ask me to help them. touching someone who is suffering is directly connect us heart to heart. not always i succeed to take their pain, but our human mutual relation deepened.
Touch the pain
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The average income in Palestine is very low. As part of Israeli security regulations, singles under the age of 23 are forbidden to enter and work in Israel. Many do so illegally, risking their future. I try to find ways to help local earn honest income. I believe if people will have enough for their livelihood, the tension will reduce and the chance to start cultivating peace will grow. If you have an idea, or want to start something I would be happy to know.
Work possibilities
Giving attention to young children today is investing in the grown up adults of tomorrow. Building love' care and trust from childhood to adolescence is an important step that will help changing the mistrust we are facing now. already I have some university students that were kids that play with me Tai Chi 10 years ago, and today we discuss how they see their future with nonviolence process.
Playing together
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Israelis and internationals have the possibility to see in there own eyes how people live at the"other side" of the fence, and they also give locals the possibility to be seen. This creates a deeper human understanding which is the first step to changing realty.
Bearing witness meetings
During the hot summer days there is a long period of school vacation. unlike in Israel most children in Palestine have nothing to do and the ability to join and to entertain them give possibility to deepen the connection with them. last summer I came with my carpentry teacher for a day were we made together some toys. The children love it.
Summer camp activities
During the last cold winter, I noticed that people are using plastic to warm the tents. When I told it to a settler friend he immediately gave me money to buy wood and bring it to the locals.
Woods instead of Plastic
