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 sniper killer her son David. … Continue reading Children’s Deaths Unite Moms Across Cultures | Atlanta Jewish Times
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
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
Young Ambassadors for Peace
Na’ama Roth, 25, is Israeli. She lost her uncle, Udi, when he was kidnapped and killed by Hamas in 1993. Na’ama’s father joined the Parents Circle to seek reconciliation and a just end to the conflict. “My father promised himself and his children to try to do everything he can,” Na’ama says, “so that this tragedy would not … Continue reading Young Ambassadors for Peace
PCFF Members to speak at locations in OH, IN and more
We are excited to announce that 3 of the Parents Circle’s members– Rami Elhanan (the new Israeli General Director of the Parents Circle), and George and Najwa Sa’adeh– will be speaking at churches, synagogues, and elsewhere in the Midwest in October and November 2016. Plymouth Congregational Church UCC (Fort Wayne, IN) “Israeli and Palestinian Parents … Continue reading PCFF Members to speak at locations in OH, IN and more
Reconciliation Defeats Revenge
“While watching the bereaved African-American mothers on the stage at the Democratic Convention, I thought just how much we mothers, who have lost children, have in common, regardless of color, creed or national identity. I thought that all bereaved mothers in the world should rise up together and say, ‘Enough! Stop the killing. Let our … Continue reading Reconciliation Defeats Revenge
Meet Ziva and Khalid
Meet Ziva Rakhamim and Khalid Juma, two participants in the Parents Circle’s Narrative Project who came to see the power in dialogue with the other side. My name is Ziva Rakhamim and I am from Or Yehuda. A flyer for the Narrative Project caught my attention and I decided to sign up even though I have … Continue reading Meet Ziva and Khalid
Parents Circle Activities
It has been a busy first half of the year for the Parents Circle. Here are some of our highlights: PCFF Members Retreat Over 250 members were present at our retreat. The constant threat of the current socio-political environment in Israel and Palestine has again made it clear to us the unprecedented strength of our community. … Continue reading Parents Circle Activities
