MISSION STATEMENT
It is my belief that the only way true peace can be accomplished in the Middle East is
by former enemies developing a dialogue. The impediments to peace in the Middle East are
rooted in centuries of distrust between the three great religions, Moslem, Christian, and
Jewish. The problems faced by the people is further compounded by politicians who have
from time to time had an agenda that is not always in the best interest of peace.
My own experience, commitment and involvement, is in the peacemaking community of Neve
Shalom/Wahat al-Salam. For the last eighteen years this community has proven to me that
co-existence of the diverse cultures in the Middle East can be achieved.
It will be the goal of the Middle East Peace Dialogue Network (MEPDN) to support
dialogue activities throughout the Middle East between its many and varied nationalities,
cultures, religion and political philosophies. Dialogue can take place in many
different ways, through economic development, the arts, workshops, and lectures. The
dialogue groups that will be supported by MEPDN will be located throughout the Middle
East.
The Board of Trustees will select dialogue groups to be supported, however, a donor may
request funds designated to a dialogue activity of their choice. Some of the
dialogue groups that will be eligible for support are:
 | Abraham Fund for Co-Existence - The
Abraham Fund is dedicated to enhancing coexistence between Israel's
Jewish and Arab citizens. It supports grassroots coexistence projects
that bring Jews and Arabs together to learn about one another and
break down destructive stereotypes. |
| Americans for Peace Now - Americans
for Peace Now's mission is to help Israel and Israel's Peace Now
movement achieve a comprehensive political settlement of the
Arab-Israeli conflict consistent with Israel's long-term security
needs and its Jewish and democratic values. |
| Appeal For Humanitarian Aid For Palestine
- HAP
is a humanitarian project organized by Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom to
help Palestinians with medical needs and clothing during the recent
era of violence. |
| Givat Haviva - Givat
Haviva brings together Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish teenagers to
teach each others community its history, politics and sociology by
creating and encouraging patience, tolerance, respect and mutual
understanding. |
| Great Octave Foundation
- Sounds for Peace A Not for Profit 501(c)(3) Organization |
| Hand
in Hand: - The Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel was
established to provide leadership in fostering community, coexistence
and partnership between Israel's Jews and Arabs through bilingual,
bicultural schools for their children. |
| Hapoel
Youth Program - The
Hapoel Youth Program was developed with the hope to build
understanding and tolerance between Jewish and Arab youth learning
together and playing basketball together. |
| Interns for Peace - Interns
for Peace was established with the purpose of training community
development peace workers, In Israel and Now in Palestine and
Gala/West Bank, Jordan and Egypt; who initiate cooperative
intercommunal action that unites all people. |
| Leo
Baeck Education Center - Leo Baeck Education Center is a major
educational institution in Haifa comprised of a junior and senior high
school, an early childhood education center, the Othel Avraham
progressive synagogue, the lehrman Community Center and the Offman
Sports Center. |
| Middle East Children - The
Middle East Children's Association (MECA) was established by Israeli
and Palestinian educators who seek to make the peace process a stable
reality for both peoples. MECA works with leaders in the educational
systems, teachers, and students, and provides them with a time and a
place to explore tolerance, difference, human rights, democracy, and
mutual respect. |
| Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam - Neve
Shalom!Wahat al-Salam is Hebrew and Arabic for "Oasis of Peace.
It is the only community in Israel where Jewish and Israeli
Palestinian families have chosen to live together for more than 20
years. |
| New Israel Fund - The
New Israel Fund has been at the forefront of efforts to fulfill the
founding vision of Israel as a state based on freedom, justice and
peace, as envisioned by the prophets of Israel. |
| Nisan, Young Women Leaders - Nisan,
Young Women Leaders is the only organization dedicated to the
advancement of young women in Israel. Nisan works to establish a
national network of Jewish and Arab young women trained as agents for
change in Israeli society. |
| OPEN HOUSE, Ramle (The Lemon Tree story)
- The Open House Center in Ramie was founded to further peace and
coexistence among Israeli Arabs and Jews in this mixed city of 65,000
residents. |
| The People's Voice - The
People’s Voice is an Israeli-Palestinian civil initiative, aimed at
creating public support for a term sheet for a permanent agreement
between the Israelis and the Palestinians. |
| Plum
Village - Plum Village is a Buddhist monastery in Southern France
for monks and nuns and a practice center for lay people. It was
founded as an international intentional community for the practice and
study of the teachings of Thich Naht Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk
considered one of the greatest teachers of non-violence and
reconciliation today. |
| Schools
Online - The mission of Schools Online is to help ensure that
schools have effective access to the communication and information
resources of the Internet. Students work together on collaborative
projects over the Internet to solve problems affecting their every day
lives |
| Seeds of Peace - Seeds of Peace works
to secure lasting peace in the Middle East by bringing together Arab
and Israeli teenagers aged 13 to 14 before their fear I mistrust and
inherited prejudices have permanently shaped their vision of their
enemies. |
