Five years ago I climbed a staircase in Beit Jala in the West Bank. I walked into a room where I met two men who, in the course of an hour, told a story which cleaved open my tired heart.   Rami, Colum, and Bassam Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan told me the story of the life … Continue reading Colum McCann: The ruin of the heart is when we do nothing. Do something today.

Recording available: We Lost Our Children, We Hold Onto Our Hope Dialogue Meeting with Roni Hirshenson and George Sa’adeh Roni Hirshenson is Israeli. In 1995, his son, Amir, was serving in the Israeli army when he was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber. George Sa’adeh is Palestinian. In 2003, George’s daughter, Christine, was killed when … Continue reading WEBINAR — We Lost Our Children. We Hold Onto Our Hope: Dialogue Meeting with Roni Hirshenson and George Sa’adeh

Osama Abuayyash (left) and Yuval Rahamim (Photographer: Vardi Kahana) When we embarked on this journey as Co-Directors of the Parents Circle this past June, we knew it would not be easy working against the current of prejudices, eroding trust, and shallow, violent rhetoric. As active members of the Parents Circle, we were well prepared for this challenge. What … Continue reading You are our source of hope

“Even though we don’t have peace, we still have hope.” Layla Alshekh Bereaved Palestinian mother and Parents Circle member We are getting our hopes up. The U.S. election results are one step in the right direction. Now, we need to restore hope for Israeli-Palestinian peace.  Even though we can’t meet on the ground, we haven’t given up … Continue reading Get your hopes up!

Dear President-Elect Biden, The 600 bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families of the Parents Circle-Families Forum want to congratulate you on becoming the next president of the United States. We ask that you help us restore hope.  Mr. President-Elect, you know first hand what it feels like to lose a child and a close family member. … Continue reading To President-Elect Biden: Help Us Restore Hope

Mahmoud Awad Mahmoud, You were the first real joy in my life. I waited for you for five years to bring light into my world. When the family is sitting around the table and you are not there with us, I miss you so much. This brings on such deep pain that you are gone. … Continue reading A letter to my son, Mahmoud, killed in 2008

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Award winning chefs shared how food brings us comfort during difficult times, whether it’s a global pandemic, national crises, or losing a loved one.

Reem, Michael, and Gil brought their comfort food to share.
All participants will receive the recipes.

by Rami Elhanan, bereaved Israeli father

To My Sweet Smadari,

So many years have passed since that horrible day, you suddenly disappeared from our lives forever. And yet to this day, whenever I open my phone and see your sweet face, my heart stops short and my blood freezes.

Donate now to support the Parents Circle – Families Forum

Today, in honor of International Peace Day, and in honor of all those who have lost loved ones to the conflict — we call for no more empty rooms. Seven bereaved parents have written letters of hope to their loved ones who have been killed. They are left with seven empty rooms. An empty room … Continue reading For Peace Day: Letters from bereaved parents