PATHWAYS TO PEACE
Jerusalem Peacemakers UK TOUR
1st – 13th March 08

JANUARY NEWSLETTER

In This Edition

Words From Jane In Conversation with Ibrahim Issa Advanced Notice: Jerusalem Peacemakers UK Tour Get Involved Shared Intention

Words From Jane

Previously I wrote about nonviolence and the need to come to our personal definition of nonviolence as part of making a commitment to nonviolent living.

As I have continued to reflect on this theme I have found myself thinking about what constitutes violence. Some forms of violence, especially physically aggressive acts, such as the horrors of war or countless acts of brutality, we may have witnessed personally or through the media, can be easy to delineate although not easy to counter.

Other forms of violence are more subtle and less easy to define. The compact Oxford dictionary describes violence as:

'behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill' and as 'strength of emotion or an unpleasant or destructive natural force.'

Violence can be even harder to deal with when it is difficult to name, and therefore less recognisable, yet its effect can be extremely pervasive. When does the use of power or force become violence? Can words, or silence or body language be 'violent'? What about Mahatma Gandhi's statement that, 'Poverty is the worst form of violence'?

Today I came across a distressing and shocking photo of an emaciated child dying of starvation, with a bird of prey looking on. It was a picture which portrayed the brutal destructiveness of poverty.

It is easy to fall into the trap of being vigilant about some forms of violence but not about others. Identifying the different forms violence takes is a necessary step in rooting it out and so whilst it is an uneasy topic to focus on, some reflection is necessary to effective, holistic peacemaking.

As well as looking at global issues it is importan to challenge ourselves on a personal level. For example, how do we handle destructive emotions within ourselves and others, and is the goal of spiritual practice to eliminate anger or to transform it from something potentially destructive into something life-giving?

I am delighted by the responses I have received to previous newsletters and would be very happy to hear your wisdom on these questions so that our collective wisdom can continue to grow.

With best wishes,

Jane

Director, Spirit of Peace

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In Conversation

Over the coming months we will be featuring short interviews with some of the Jerusalem Peacemakers. These were recorded previously during a visit to Israel-Palestine.

This month we invite you to listen to Ibrahim Issa, Director of Hope Flowers School, Bethlehem.In this conversation he talks about the school situation and the progress of Peace and Democracy Education in Israel-Palestine and abroad.

(Listen to the interview by clicking here)

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Advanced Notice:

Jerusalem Peacemakers UK Tour

In March 09 Spirit of Peace is hosting Jerusalem Peacemaker Ibrahim Issa and colleague Ghassan Manasra. We will be taking them to venues up and down the UK.

The aims of this tour are to raise awareness of the current situation in Israel-Palestine. We will explore themes of global citizenship, peace and democracy education, the spiritual treasures of Islam, and bring together people with different backgrounds to learn and share from our difference experiences.

The Tour will include Gloucester, Stroud, Southampton, Crawley, Oxford and Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace Festival in Edinburgh.

March Tour 08

The Mayor of Gloucester welcomes the Jerusalem Peacemakers

The events in this tour can only be a success if we work together. We welcome various kinds of support:

 

Financial

We welcome financial support towards the organisation and travel costs of this Tour.

To donate, visit the Spirit of Peace website.

Publicity

Can you help us spread the word? Our aim is to bring as many people together as possible. How could you help us invite more people to these events? Please get in touch with us at connect@spiritofpeace.co.uk

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Get Involved

Jerusalem Peacemakers in Stroud

Larry Leighton and Malcom Allsop are arranging an event with Ghassan Manasra and Ibrahim Issa on 1st March at The Old Town Hall, Stroud. If anyone would like to help with planning and/or publicity please contact either Larry: 01453 755370, larryleight@yahoo.co.uk or Malcom: 01453 767898.

Skills for Peace:

If you would like to support the work of Spirit of Peace with your skills we always welcome donations of time. However we are particularly interested in hearing from people willing to donate their accountancy, grant writing, web design and graphic design skills. If you would like to contribute in this way, please email: info@spiritofpeace.co.uk.

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Shared Intention

By holding peace in our minds and our hearts we bring more peace into the world. Let us spend a moment to align ourselves and share in this process of creation together.

Words from Eliyahu MacLean, Director of Jerusalem Peacemakers:

'Do not let the bad news from Gaza convince you that our work is not worthwhile. Our work is long-term and we cannot give up as it is more necessary than ever. The family of peacemakers in The Holy Land are in touch with each other and as soon as the fighting stops are ready to begin again...'

Please join us in thought, heart, or prayer to send our intention for healing to those who suffer, and strength to those who need it the most.

Jerusalem Peacemakers, co-directors, Eliyahu McLean (left) and Sheikh Bukhari

Two internationally acclaimed peacemakers from Jerusalem are visiting the UK next month. Their extensive 14 day tour includes Oxford, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London, Gloucester and Brighton.

Eliyahu McLean, a Jewish, ordained Rodef Shalom (Pursuer of Peace) and Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari, a Muslim, Sufi leader and Head of the Uzbek Community in Jerusalem are co-directors of Jerusalem Peacemakers, a not for profit organisation, engaged in peace building work in Israel/Palestine and beyond. They have many years experience of working with Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze Israelis and Palestinians throughout Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

They have helped to found and contribute to several organisations focused on bringing together people from different and often opposing groups and backgrounds, fostering mutual understanding, trust and respect. One of these hopeful initiatives for change is the “On the Way to Sulha” movement, which holds regular dialogues and an annual 3 day event involving thousands of Palestinian, Israeli and international partners working for peace in the Holy Land.

These peace workers will inform us of the latest news, bring  insights into the tools and dynamics of their peace building work which uses holistic and spiritual principles and share how ordinary people from diverse ethnic, cultural and faith groups are gathering together in the quest to bring harmony and reconciliation to the Holy Land.

The meeting in Gloucester starts at 7pm on Tuesday 11th March at the Friendship Café in Barton Street. Eliyahu and Sheikh Aziz will be welcomed by the Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Harjit Gill.