Dear Friends, On April 30, 2017 cities around the world will be joining the 2017 Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony produced and led by Combatants for Peace, in partnership with the Parents Circle – Families Forum. Satellite events are being held across the world, to watch the ceremony from Tel Aviv, and to stand in solidarity with … Continue reading Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony April 30
“Breaking the Walls between Us”
By Robi Damelin Early Friday morning, buses left from all over Israel and Palestine and some 200 women came to be together and discover the humanity in the other in honor of International Women’s Day. It was thrilling to arrive and see how many new faces, friends of the bereaved members chose to spend the … Continue reading “Breaking the Walls between Us”
American Communities Mark Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day
“The Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony comes to remind us that war is not inevitable” Dear friends, On April 30, 2017, thousands of Israelis and Palestinians will come together to remember the shared pain experienced on both sides of the conflict. The Israeli-Palestinian Alternative Memorial Day Ceremony, which has been held following Israeli Memorial Day for … Continue reading American Communities Mark Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day
Children’s Deaths Unite Moms Across Cultures
Atlanta Jewish Times by Patrice Worthy An Israeli-Palestinian movement of mothers who have lost sons to the conflict is connecting with American mothers whose sons have been killed to form a united front against gun violence. Israeli Robi Damelin founded Parents Circle Families Forum, an organization for bereaved Palestinian and Israeli families, after a Palestinian … Continue reading Children’s Deaths Unite Moms Across Cultures
Meet Rami and Mazen
My name is Rami Elhanan. I am a graphic designer and a 7th generation Jerusalemite. I am a Jew; I am an Israeli, and before everything else, I am a human being. On the first day of the school year in 1997, a few days before Yom Kippur, my daughter, Smadar, and her friends went … Continue reading Meet Rami and Mazen
An important meeting with Pres. Abbas
Peace Activists Meet With PA Head On January 5, 2017, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held an important meeting with hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, writers, and academics. Members of the Parents Circle were among those present at this crucial meeting. Bereaved Israeli mother, Robi Damelin, presented Abbas with a “Bird of Reconciliation” … Continue reading An important meeting with Pres. Abbas
6 Highlights from 2016
As we approach the beginning of a new year, we want to share some of the highlights from 2016 with you, a partner in our work: 1. Launched Taking Steps – Bereaved parents Robi Damelin and Bassam Aramin visited U.S. Congress to officially launch our new social business, Taking Steps in the Path for Peace, on International Peace Day. This … Continue reading 6 Highlights from 2016
Happy Holidays from the Parents Circle!
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah with a promise of light! Together, we can continue in the new year to spread peace and to change minds, one heart at a time.
Why do we call each other “brother”?
My name is Arab Aramin. I am Palestinian, 22 years old. And my name is Yigal Elhanan. I am Israeli, 24 years old. We should hate each other. But instead, we call each other brother. Why? We both have lost our sisters in the bloody and violent conflict. We are united in our shared vision: no … Continue reading Why do we call each other “brother”?
A Thanksgiving Message from Tal and Ibrahim
“My name is Ibrahim Shatat. I’m 25 years old, and from Beit Jala, Palestine. My sister, Irene, was 12 years old when she had an accident. She was hit by a car. And because we live in an occupied country, the Israeli army had closed the streets so cars could not get through. The army did … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Message from Tal and Ibrahim