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A Message of Hope and Solidarity!

Rameh Tayseer Rameh Tayseer is a 26 year old school teacher in Nablus. When he was growing up, the national project was built around the idea of a 2 state solution. Rameh’s family was engaged in social issues and politics. He joined movements and activist clubs in school. While Rameh suggests there are many Palestinian peace coalitions, Combatants For Peace (CFP) is his favorite. Rameh sees the…

The Next Generation of Activists and Leaders

The Freedom School Avia Hirshfeld is a 23 years old Israeli who was raised in a settlement in the West Bank called Anatot. She went to school in Jerusalem and was part of a youth movement there. She spent two years as a combat soldier in the West Bank and on the border with Egypt. When you are in the army, she said, you don’t see the situation as an Occupation. You see the conflict and do what…

“We Refuse To Be Enemies”

Binational Protest Rana Salman is the Co-Executive Director of Combatants for Peace (CFP) and its first female Director. She was born in Jerusalem and lived in Bethlehem her whole life. Rana said she grew up at a time when there were no check points or separation walls. Her father worked in Jerusalem and they spent their weekends in Tiberias. At the time, they considered Bethlehem and Jerusalem…

Nonviolence as a Way of Life

Joint Israeli Palestinian Memorial Ceremony Combatants For Peace (CFP) is dedicated to “building a just and peaceful society from the ground-up, through egalitarian community building, grassroots organizing & joint nonviolent civil resistance.” They are a group of ex-combatants who fought on both sides of the Israeli Palestinian Conflict. In spite of their past experiences, they came together…

For Dawud Rachman, music is like a kid in a candy store! by Alina Bloomgarden

When our prison music classes were postponed due to the pandemic, Music On The Inside (MOTI) reached out to provide musical support for individuals in re-entry. Thanks to our friends at the Fortune Society and other Criminal Justice colleagues we’ve met some really talented musicians. One of our great gifts has been the opportunity to meet, teach and present Dawud Rahman, who kept his humanity…

The year behind and the year ahead

The year of the Pandemic! There will be a lot to reflect on and say about this past year. SO much to say. So many stories about how we each survived the year, how we coped with disruption and loss, uncertainty and anxiety, isolation and restriction, sickness and death.  Life is messy. The birthing process is the messiest of all. What is being birthed in this new year of 2021? What is being…

“We have to help the people who are helping us”

Danielle Butin, CEO and Founder of AFYA Foundation, is in the business of rescuing unused medical supplies and sending them to places in need all over the globe. When a surgical kit is opened in a hospital operating room, the supplies that are untouched and still wrapped get saved by nurses and sent to AFYA. AFYA’s mission is to improve global health and the most under-served health systems.

Dan…

We’re in this Together

Michelle Bell is a licensed Psychologist at Inwood Family Guidance and Psychological Services in New York. I was introduced to her through her work at Sanctuary Neighborhoods NYC, in the service of immigrants. It occurred to me that the uncertainty that all of us now face with the Covid-19 pandemic is perhaps similar to the fear, anxiety and uncertainty of a newly arrived immigrant, or one…

Action Potluck / Sanctuary Neighborhoods, NYC is a coalition of grassroots activists and neighbors who support diverse neighborhoods and are willing to take action on behalf of immigrant families. It is a model for community supporting community.

Tara Geer is the Founder and Director of the organization. She is a product of a diverse family and a recipient of the kindness of strangers. Tara’s…

When the End of One life Creates Life for Another

The hopes of Danielle Butin, Founder of AFYA:

“In 2020, here’s how everyone can help AFYA create a Second Life Supplies Program for the medically frail and elderly population worldwide.

Eleven years into AFYA’s life, the organization is primed for expansion.

A unique expertise in listening carefully to the needs of health providers has led to the thoughtful and impactful delivery of rescued…

Feeding Body and Soul

From Chef Kristin of Mercy Chefs:

“In 2020, I hope for our community kitchen to reach its full potential.

This year, we built a kitchen and teaching lab. The kitchen has the capacity to create 10,000 meals a week, currently we are doing about 1200-1800. All meals go out to people who would not be eating otherwise. So increasing our meal count means decreasing hunger in our area.

In the teaching…

25 Years of Environmental Peacebuilding

As we approach the end of 2019, EcoPeace this month celebrates its 25th anniversary. It’s an opportune time to reflect on their successes this year, even as they acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead.

From Gidon Bromberg, Israeli Director EcoPeace Middle East:

“Uniquely, this year, the work of EcoPeace was on the world stage. We presented before the United Nations Security Council, at the UN…

What makes you hopeful in the new year?

  Bob Mokos with his daughter and Gabby Giffords

Bob Mokos is still very involved in the gun violence prevention movement. When asked what he is hopeful about in the new year, he responded: ” It would be my wish for the New Year that our country come to grips with how prevalent gun violence is and enact strong legislation to curb that violence.  No one should have to go through the loss of a…

Is Peace Good for the Environment?

Gidon Bromberg was born in Israel and raised in Australia. Gidon got his Law Degree in Australia, followed by a Masters Degree in International Environmental Law in Washington, DC. He was always interested in Peace Building.

Gidon’s research question for his masters thesis was “Is peace good for the environment?” His conclusion was that peace and environmental issues have been given lip service.…

One Starfish at a Time

Melinda McRostie is the founder of Starfish Foundation, helping refugees in need in Lesvos, Greece. She is also the owner of a restaurant called The Captain’s Table in Molyvos Harbor. Melinda  was born in Australia and moved with her family to Greece when she was 3 years old. 

Melinda received a request from the Coast Guard in November of 2014 asking for clothing for a group of refugees who…

A Refuge for the Refugees

Jane Graver is driven by her desire to make a contribution toward addressing the global refugee immigrant crisis.  She regularly accompanies people to asylum hearings in New York City, and provides a valuable ear and support. This summer, Jane organized a trip for her New York Jewish Community, Lab Shul, to support refugees and their children at the International School of Peace in Lesbos,…

Jewish and Arab Israeli Partners Build an Educational School for Refugees in Lesbos

The International School of Peace (ISOP) is located on the island of Lesbos, Greece. It was founded two years ago by two groups of educators, one Arab – the Ajial Movement, and one Jewish – the Hashomer Hatzair Life Movement.

At that time, Greece had thousands of refugees crossing each day by sea from Turkey.

The Jewish and Arab Israelis were concerned about the Syrian and Afghan refugee crisis…