Community Building for 1000 Jews & Muslims 2023-25

January 17, 2021

The Interfaith Encounter Group Jerusalem and beyond met online. We chose the topic “names”, so we can get to know each other’s personal backgrounds and to memorize the names of the participants.

Some people who had one name in English and another in Hebrew had unique situations such as being recognized by different names in different circles. Participants mentioned that many Muslim names have beautiful meanings, and sometimes pay homage to other family members (as do many Jews from Muslim countries). Mohamad also said that almost every Muslim family will have a Mohamad, Ahmad or Mahmoud, in memory of the Prophet.  We spoke about how names are connected to identity, and tell our story.

February 15, 2021

The Interfaith Encounter Group Jerusalem and beyond met on Zoom. Each participant talked about his or her experiences and traditions related to wedding ceremonies.

Shelley said that the Jewish wedding is not only a happy ceremony, but a sacred moment for the couple. She described some of the general aspects of the Jewish wedding, such as the Chupa (canopy), the blessings, the wine and the breaking of the glass.

Mohamad said that there is a marriage contract signed by the groom that ensures also that the wife receives a proper sum in case of divorce. He described the traditional Palestinian weddings, and the different room arrangements of men and women.

Other participants shared specific traditions, such as the bride gifting an embroidered case to the groom, special ceremonies that happen one week after the wedding, gifting gold, flowers and money.

Participants also expressed their personal issues with wedding parties being so expensive, and that in many communities one spends a fortune trying to make the day special, which is another way to say, better than all the other weddings in town.

We concluded giving our warm blessings to our coordinator Mohamad who is getting married in two weeks.

Links:

• IEA website
• Activity & annual reports
• Get invovled

The last time we met face-to-face was in December of 2019, and since then Midwives of Peace has been meeting online on Zoom. We have held 4 encounters so far - in April, June, September, and at the end of October. The attendance has been surprisingly good, but the same members seem to be present each time. The format, the need for technology, and the need for good and consistent internet service prevent many of our members from attending, which is very sad.

Most of the members continue to work throughout these trying and difficult times and are exposed to the coronavirus on a daily basis. Some of them have been sick, and one of our participants lost a close family member. It is difficult to console them in this way, over the internet, and on the screen, and the level of frustration is high. But it is good to stay in touch and interesting to learn how the public health systems on "both sides" are dealing with the virus.

Because the coronavirus has sort of taken over all of our lives, most of the discussion was on this topic. We tried to go beyond it, but it was pulled back in that direction over and over. So, we talked, we listened, we laughed and we cried. This is similar to what we usually do, but doing it over the internet is a new experience. We are missing the hugs.

We had planned to host another seminar on the topic of sexual violence, as the first was very successful, and there was a request for a continuation, but it will have to wait. In the meantime, we maintain our friendship and our connection in these strange times of disconnection and hope to meet again soon.

Links:

• IEA website
• Activity & annual reports
• Get invovled