Overseas and Israel

 

Expanding the Circle of Peace:

The Gilboa-Jenin Event

Expanding the Circle of Peace: The Gilboa-Jenin Event The Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut is bringing two Middle Eastern leaders – an Israeli and a Palestinian – to CT to share their successful model for peaceful coexistence. Coming from an Israeli region that has long been an epicenter of conflict for years, Mayor Daniel Atar of Gilboa in Northern Israel, and Governor Qadoura Moussa of Jenin in the West Bank, provide us with a living example of how collaborative efforts can truly serve as a beacon of hope. Over several days, Mayor Atar and Governor Qaddoura will participate in a series of local events to promote cross-cultural understanding between peoples seeking peace and cooperation. These will include a public forum as well as an event for Federation members. The mayor and governor will also meet with a variety of Jewish community and business leaders to further plans for assistance from North America. This is a landmark initiative for our Jewish community, and one that can serve as an example to those involved in conflict anywhere in the world. Our goal is a better future for Israel and her neighbors. • On September 11, 2008, the NY Times ran a story highlighting the relationship between Daniel Atar and his deputy mayor, who is an Arab Israeli, and Qadoura Moussa. The two Gilboa mayors and the Jenin governor have been developing economic ties between their communities, aimed at increasing stability in the region. • At the request of Attar and his friend Qaddoura, our Federation has enabled the people of Gilboa to provide warm blankets to the people of Jenin this coming winter. Providing blankets in the cold winter, where many in Jenin have no heat, engenders trust and mutual respect and will contribute to further cooperation and collaboration and peaceful coexistence. • The close working relationship between these two leaders suggests the value of economic and social collaboration in providing stability in the region. Our communities have a long history of supporting peace in the Middle East. This is just one way that we are helping to bring about a better future for Israel, one without bloodshed or conflict. • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Jewish leaders in July, one avenue “for ending the conflict is to push forward the spread of prosperity. This idea of advancing economic peace is not a substitute for achieving political peace; it's a way to facilitate it. It makes peace more possible and more worthwhile for the Palestinians, as opposed to the radical Islamist projection of misery and conflict.” • The Federation is taking the lead within the national Jewish community on this issue, yet following the lead of Israel and the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. We believe that the "organized Jewish Community" can be a positive influence and support efforts for continued stability that can eventually lead to peaceful coexistence. • Leaders of the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut met with the three leaders last November to explore opportunities for the North American Jewish community to assist. • By raising funds for a joint Israeli-Palestinian project, we are supporting the Israeli government’s stated goals of working to improve the situation “on the ground” in order to build the foundation for increased Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and peaceful coexistence. • By promoting peace, the events contribute directly to Israel’s strategic security and also advances the Federation’s goal of connecting the North American Jewish community with Israel. • Hosting leaders from Israel in the United States is one of the most important ways that Federations connect local Jewish communities to Israel. The Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut is bringing two Middle Eastern leaders – an Israeli and a Palestinian – to CT to share their successful model for peaceful coexistence. Coming from an Israeli region that has long been an epicenter of conflict for years, Mayor Daniel Atar of Gilboa in Northern Israel, and Governor Qadoura Moussa of Jenin in the West Bank, provide us with a living example of how collaborative efforts can truly serve as a beacon of hope.

Over several days, Mayor Atar and Governor Qaddoura will participate in a series of local events to promote cross-cultural understanding between peoples seeking peace and cooperation. These will include a public forum as well as an event for Federation members. The mayor and governor will also meet with a variety of Jewish community and business leaders to further plans for assistance from North America.

This is a landmark initiative for our Jewish community, and one that can serve as an example to those involved in conflict anywhere in the world. Our goal is a better future for Israel and her neighbors.

  • Gilboa-Jenin EventGilboa-Jenin Event blanketsOn September 11, 2008, the NY Times ran a story highlighting the relationship between Daniel Atar and his deputy mayor, who is an Arab Israeli, and Qadoura Moussa. The two Gilboa mayors and the Jenin governor have been developing economic ties between their communities, aimed at increasing stability in the region.
  • At the request of Attar and his friend Qaddoura, our Federation has enabled the people of Gilboa to provide warm blankets to the people of Jenin this coming winter. Providing blankets in the cold winter, where many in Jenin have no heat, engenders trust and mutual respect and will contribute to further cooperation and collaboration and peaceful coexistence.
  • The close working relationship between these two leaders suggests the value of economic and social collaboration in providing stability in the region. Our communities have a long history of supporting peace in the Middle East. This is just one way that we are helping to bring about a better future for Israel, one without bloodshed or conflict.
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Jewish leaders in July, one avenue “for ending the conflict is to push forward the spread of prosperity. This idea of advancing economic peace is not a substitute for achieving political peace; it's a way to facilitate it. It makes peace more possible and more worthwhile for the Palestinians, as opposed to the radical Islamist projection of misery and conflict.”
  • The Federation is taking the lead within the national Jewish community on this issue, yet following the lead of Israel and the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. We believe that the "organized Jewish Community" can be a positive influence and support efforts for continued stability that can eventually lead to peaceful coexistence.
  • Leaders of the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut met with the three leaders last November to explore opportunities for the North American Jewish community to assist.
  • By raising funds for a joint Israeli-Palestinian project, we are supporting the Israeli government’s stated goals of working to improve the situation “on the ground” in order to build the foundation for increased Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
  • By promoting peace, the events contribute directly to Israel’s strategic security and also advances the Federation’s goal of connecting the North American Jewish community with Israel.
  • Hosting leaders from Israel in the United States is one of the most important ways that Federations connect local Jewish communities to Israel.

Q&A

Exec. Director ZwangWhat’s the purpose of the events?
Our Federation is in a unique position to bring these two mayors from Israel and the West Bank to Connecticut for a series of events over several days.

Our community’s leaders – local, regional and national -- will learn first-hand how these mayors’ efforts to foster economic development and peaceful coexistence in Gilboa in Northern Israel are beneficial to all involved.

Those participating in various events and meetings will also learn about the unique nature of the northern Israeli community of Gilboa and how its residents are impacted by sharing the longest seam line (border) with Jenin in the West Bank. Further, we will discuss how opportunities to directly support social and economic development on the ground promote cooperation and peace.

What will the mayors do when they’re here?
The mayors will share their model for peaceful coexistence with community members and national Jewish leaders and meet with business leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration on economic development projects.


How is the initiative being funded?
A fund is being established through the Foundation – Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc., to sponsor joint projects or initiatives which facilitate social development between Gilboa and Jenin.

Was my donation to the Federation used to bring a Palestinian mayor to CT? Why?
The cost of bringing him to Connecticut is privately funded.

What if I don’t want my donations to go to Palestinians?
Our Federation only funds programs and events that further our mission of helping build and support our local Jewish community, Jews worldwide and the Jewish State. These events are about supporting partners in a project that will help the Jewish State, and its neighbors, and hearing their stories.

How is this related to charity work?
Ensuring Israel’s prosperity and security has always been one of Diaspora Jewry and the Federation system’s most important missions. Our community in Connecticut will have an opportunity to directly contribute to economic development in Gilboa and Jenin, thereby supporting cooperation and peace – and ultimately a more secure future for Israel.

Isn’t this too political for your Federation?
These events are about coexistence and cooperation – and Israel’s security. In 1999, our Federation began an experiment, in collaboration with the international conflict resolution organization, Seeds of Peace. Over a period of two years, this initiative brought together well over 100 children from Afula/Gilboa and Jenin. Yes, such co-existence projects are new and unusual, but they are about helping to foster Israel’s prosperity – and that has always been one of the Federation system’s most important missions.