Members of the Parents Circle – Families Forum at a public event in Tel Aviv, September 2014. Credit: Tomer Appelbaum Exactly one week ago was the official termination for the Parents Circle’s grant from USAID. We were one of 13 organizations to lose funding for “people-to-people” interactions between Israelis and Palestinians which amounted to more than $8 … Continue reading We took a big hit last week. What’s at stake…
What’s New
Promoting Peace While Memorializing the Fallen
Michelle L. Gawerc Michelle I. Gawerc Associate professor of sociology and interim director of the Office of Peace and Justice Loyola University Maryland December 27, 2018 —Neta Hazan These words by Neta Hazan marked the beginning of the 2017 Israeli–Palestinian Memorial Day Ceremony. For the last twelve years, on the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day, … Continue reading Promoting Peace While Memorializing the Fallen
What are you committed to in 2019?
As 2018 comes to a close, we want to share with you a few of the action items that we are committed to achieving next year for peace and reconciliation: 1) We will not allow US government cuts to cross-border Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding activities stop our programs. “I am committed to upholding the necessary financial and … Continue reading What are you committed to in 2019?
8 Highlights for 2018
2018 presented many challenges to our work, but we still have much to celebrate and to be thankful for. Here are 8 victories you helped us accomplish for peace and reconciliation this past year: 352 Dialogue Meetings for 7,400 Israelis, Palestinians, and internationals in Israel and Palestine Facilitator training for Israeli and Palestinian female members, with … Continue reading 8 Highlights for 2018
URGENT: USAID funding cuts threaten our programs
An urgent message from Shiri Ourian, Executive Director, American Friends of the Parents Circle – Families Forum I am devastated by the news that the Trump Administration has cut USAID funding for any cross-border Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding activities. While the saddening news of this punitive measure was announced previously, I was hopeful that our programs would be able to … Continue reading URGENT: USAID funding cuts threaten our programs
Enough! Halas!
Amidst the violence of the past few days, and the violence that is sure to follow in the days to come, on Friday the Parents Circle gathered its bereaved members, several hundred of its program’s alumni, partner organizations and the general public in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to scream – Enough! We screamed enough … Continue reading Enough! Halas!
Why Tony Shalhoub Supports the Parents Circle
When I went on break from The Band’s Visit to return to filming the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, I made a donation to the Parents Circle in honor of my incredible castmates. I wanted them to know more about the powerful work that the Parents Circle is doing to foster dialogue and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. That work is … Continue reading Why Tony Shalhoub Supports the Parents Circle
A Holiday Message from a Bereaved Mother
“December is the time for candles, spiritual light and a sense of miracle. For some it is the belief that they bring the light of Jesus, even in the darkest of times. For others the miracle of the pure oil sufficient for one day which last for eight. With your permission, I would like to … Continue reading A Holiday Message from a Bereaved Mother
To the Congregation of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha
This message was sent to the Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation today on behalf of the bereaved Israeli and Palestinian members of the Parents Circle: To the Congregation of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha, On behalf of the Parents Circle – Families Forum, we offer our deepest condolences for the horrific loss … Continue reading To the Congregation of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha
On Peace Day Remember the Human Side of the Conflict
This International Peace Day, we want to celebrate the many Israelis and Palestinians who have come together through our Parallel Narrative Experience (PNE). This project has brought together more than 1,000 Israelis and Palestinians, thanks in large part to funding from USAID, but recent aid cuts have put the future of our work at risk. Help us continue bringing Israelis … Continue reading On Peace Day Remember the Human Side of the Conflict
