"Never doubt
that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

- Margaret Mead

MID-EAST PEACEMAKERS ESTABLISH "JERUSALEM CIRCLE" INITIATIVE [March 2003]

About thirty people gathered on March 4th in a meeting that founded the "Jerusalem Circle". Joining us were Israelis and Palestinians from East and West Jerusalem, as well as guests from Turkey and South America. Our circle formed to support individual efforts and to collaborate on joint actions for peace.

Peace musician Ofer Golany got everyone going with a song: "Do not do unto him what is hateful to you... imagine a just world, then go out and do..." Speaking from the heart, each shared their visions and experience in practical projects for peace. Around the circle were folks from groups like: Mifgash, the Motivation Circle, the Academy of Jerusalem, Hamakom L'Shalom, Sisters of Zion, Thich Nhat Hanh sangha, Al-Hadaf Peace Center, IPCRI, Beit Nehemia, Reiki for Peace, Shvil Zahav/Middle Way, Bustan L'Shalom, and Shevet-Jewish meditation.

Everyone was moved when Muhammad Assaly shared his experiences as a truama care specialist. During the first intifada he worked at the Mukassed hospital on the Mt. of Olives treating Palestinians wounded in the conflict and now works at Hadassah hospital treating Israelis. He spoke of how he sees no difference between Arab and Jew and how the violence hurts us all as members of the human family.

We closed with a circle of prayer in many languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Yiddish, English, Dutch, French, Russian, Spanish, Turkish. I asked that we be given the strength to keep doing this work even in this most challenging of times. We expressed the intention to meet monthly in a forum to share information about our respective projects and find ways to collaborate. At the end of the meeting, it seemed no one wanted to leave.

The "Jerusalem Circle" is part of a larger network. Ruach Shalom/ Ruh al Salaam in 2003 has begun creating the structure of a ‘peacemaker hub’ in Israel consisting of circles of activists and groups connected through interlocking geographic and functional circles, talking, planning and taking action together. We have adopted the 'Indra’s Net' model of the global Peacemaker Community, which links and integrates spiritually based activists and organizations around the world, enabling the actions of one to inspire and support the work of all others.

Various circles being formed include voices on all sides of the political and religious spectrum, since peace can only come about when all voices are heard and honored. Circles being set up are regional circles- the north, the central region and Jerusalem, and functional "energy" circles - education, resources, interfaith, youth and women. The circles meet once a month and each will be represented in the national circle of Ruach Shalom/Ruh al-Salaam.

For more information about the global Peacemaker Community, visit our website at www.peacemakercommunity.org.

Shalom, Salaam,

Eliyahu McLean
Interfaith projects director,
Ruach Shalom/Ruh al-Salaam,
Peacemaker Community-Israel

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