Musalaha newsletter
December 2005
Blessing and Cursing
Two children were fighting in the park next to my home. Minutes before they had been playing football and enjoying each other’s company. They had a disagreement that lead to an unbelievable barrage of curses. It was amazing how the curses they unleashed were full of passion and anger. Not only did they curse each other, but they cursed their mothers, families, ancestors and homes. It seems that demeaning and degrading comes more naturally to us as human beings than blessing one another. Cursing is not just a habit for young children, but also adults do so in more sophisticated and refined language, or privately in our minds and hearts.
This becomes particularly evident when there are two nations in hatred and enmity towards each other. In conflict, it is not necessarily our instinct to bless our enemies. We do not want to see the other side prosper or succeed. When calamity hits our opponents, we might find it difficult to be sympathetic, and some might even rejoice. We have seen incidents of this in recent natural and human disasters around the world. People’s responses to these tragedies are influenced by the type of relationship they have with those who suffered. Our attitudes towards the other can be one of condemnation or blessing.
The subject of blessing and cursing is clearly present from the beginning and is a strong theme throughout the Bible. A curse comes upon the land because of Adam’s disobedience. All of Deuteronomy 27-28 describes how disobedience to God led to being cursed, and faith and obedience brought blessing. In the Old Testament the word “blessing” appears over 600 times.
The portrayals of blessing in the Bible can be divided into the following themes: A blessing is a public declaration of a favored status with God. It endows power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing serves as a guide and motivation to pursue a course of life within the blessing.
There are several aspects that we have to take into consideration. Removal from the realm of God’s blessing comes as a result of sin and disobedience to God. In Genesis 3:14, God’s curses to the serpent were very strong. In verse 17, God curses the ground because of man’s sin. Disobedience brings a curse to our land, and the land ceases to be a source of blessing. It is not only our disobedience that brings curses upon the land, but also our enmity towards people who are created in God’s image and likeness. As it is written in I Chronicles 14:7, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Here, obedience brings healing and blessing to the land.
In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus talks about blessing as a way to approach our enemies. "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” As such, blessing is an act of obedience, and a foundation of reconciliation.
Not only in the Bible, but also in Middle Eastern cultures, the act of blessing and cursing is significant. People have a strong belief in the power of the word. Blessing is built into our languages. When people greet or leave each other it is with more than “Hello,” but with blessing of peace; “Salaam aleikum” in Arabic, or in Hebrew, “Shalom.” Both Hebrew and Arabic daily language are peppered with phrases of blessing, such as “Allah ya’tik al’afi,” meaning “God give you strength.” Blessing and cursing are also a part of religious rituals in our societies. One of the traits of being in enmity with others is that you curse them.
In October, Musalaha conducted a family conference when we studied this theme of blessing in the Bible. As we were in the process of learning and praying about blessing, we moved to the part of blessing each other, and realized that it meant kneeling to receive the blessing. The word blessing, bracha in Hebrew, shares the same root as the word berech which means knee. Blessing has the connotations of kneeling, since one kneels to receive a blessing. It is a humbling process to receive a blessing from someone else, particularly from someone with whom you are in enmity. For them to bless you puts them in a higher position or status. Both the processes of honoring others and of receiving honor can be humbling. There is a great deal of vulnerability in the exchange of blessing.
Understanding some of this context illustrates the important aspect of blessing in the process of reconciliation. When we bless the “enemy” and pray for his well-being, as Jesus teaches, we are praying that his home and land will be fruitful. If they are from the other side of a conflict, we may not want them to succeed and prosper. The other side might be blessed at our own expense. When we actively bless people, we may be blessing someone who contradicts our theological or political principles. Their prosperity could be on our own account, and might indicate God’s favor. Their calamity may indicate that God justifies us and is on our side. Therefore the act of blessing requires a major act of self-giving and confidence that God is in control.
There is a power in blessing. God puts you in a position to affect and change people’s lives through blessing, and that should not be taken lightly. By blessing and not cursing others, we can avoid being pulled into a destructive cycle of negative thought and revenge. We are countering the hateful thoughts that come to our mind and hearts by blessing others with the word of God. Coming to a point where you are able to sincerely bless the other and to receive a blessing, is a tremendous stride in relationship and in the reconciliation process.
~Salim Munayer, PhD, Director, Musalaha
Reflections from 2005
Women’s Programs
This was a year of major development for our women’s activities. We are working with small groups in different capacities, offering retreats, prayer meetings, and leadership training. There are now at least 5 active small groups meeting regularly throughout the year.
Musalaha conducted two Women’s Leadership Conferences in 2005. One in Turkey in May, and the second with a completely new group of women, takes place in Jordan this December. We began a working with a new target group of women, those who live in the land long-term but are not Jewish or Arab. In March, the “Third Side of the Two Sides” Retreat focused on themes particular to this group.
“It’s become life for me….”
I have been recently thinking of how the principals we learn in Musalaha are applicable across the board, not just in Jewish/Arab relationships. It seems as though it's become life for me, a mind set rather than something I do that is extraneous to who I am.
To respect and understand the Other no matter how it appears that our philosophies diverge. I mean, it's so much simpler to invalidate and not listen and maintain our own point of view to the exclusion of the Other. Because we teach by example and not by word alone, I am glad that it is very natural for my kids to see that we have friends who are Arab and Jewish and Ashkenazi [Jews of European origins] and Sephardic [Jews of Middle Eastern origin] and Ethiopian and believers and non-believers…. I don't think that I am on any mission. It's simply my life in Him and the way in which I function.
So, I don't know what to say except that I am grateful to Musalaha for providing a forum whereby I may meet my brothers and sisters “from the other side” and become friends with some of them. My life in infinitely richer and deeper because of it. ~ From a participant in Musalaha women’s conference.
Youth Programs
It was quite an active year for Musalaha youth. We had two Youth Encounters in the spring, one to the Dead Sea and one in the North. Several of the youth served as camp counselors at our summer camp for children aged 9 – 12. In August, we took 12 youth to the Chicago area for a camp and leadership training with Native American youth.
Leaders Programs
This year’s leaders’ activities included a Desert Encounter, a Seminar on Faith-based Reconciliation with Rev. Brian Cox, and two follow-up gatherings. The most recent follow-up gathering, a family weekend, was a special time together in October. Several parents have reported that their children keep asking when we are going to meet again. Bringing the families together has been a major motivator to continue meeting. The adults looked at the theme of blessing, which is described further in the article in this December newsletter.
Desert Sanctuary
Around 40 Palestinian, Israeli, and international leaders ventured to the deserts of Jordan for Leader’s Desert Encounter. At every opportunity as we stopped to rest in the shade of Wadi Ram’s inspiring rock formations, we unpacked some of the biblical desert themes. Understanding the concepts of the wilderness as ‘pastureland’, ‘sanctuary’ and as a place to seek God is invaluable to Scriptural studies, as is our understanding the concepts of desert hospitality…. For the last two days our gathering place while in camp was an open-sided Bedouin tent. We learned about the tent as a place of shelter, of extending kindness to strangers, and protection from the elements. The rich teaching and discussion prepared our hearts to be open with one another over deep wounds. The responses through acts of comfort and forgiveness left life long memories and invaluable lessons that we would carry back to our respective communities.
Young Adults: Exploring Unity in the Desert
Over thirty young adults attended the Young Adult Desert Encounter in Wadi Rum, Jordan. One participant shared that this trip is not meant for us to solve our conflict, we are not here to reach a resolution but what we are here for is to be reunited with our family members on the other side. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" it is always challenging to try to think what unity means. Is it when we are all on the same page? Or is it when we all agree on everything? Or is it when we all see that we are all made by God in a different and specific way to fulfill a different function in the body of Christ? The desert trip was a great time to explore these questions and work out what it means to be a unified body of believers.
Unity as a Testimony
“In our second night in the desert, when Munther (our speaker) was talking about the conflict and how we can use it as an opportunity, I saw that everyone was paying full attention and wanted to learn and change, but what shock me most is seeing the Bedouin watching and listening. When Munther finished speaking, one of them called him over, we thought it will be an argument but to our surprise the man told Munther that hearing his talk about love and reconciliation, made him feel that he has been away from Jesus and that he is missing a lot of his life. He then asked Munther to pray with him and talk to him about faith.”
Johnny and Ari
Johnny and Ari are from opposite sides of the divide. Both have experienced the conflict in a very tangible and direct way. They came together at the Young Adult Desert Encounter and told their stories.
Johnny. His house is in Beit Jala, a Palestinian village across the valley from Gilo, an Israeli neighborhood. Three or four years, this was an area familiar with gunfire. Normally, one would worry when hearing gun fire and missiles targeting his neighborhood, but not Johnny's household. They had become used to it and each member of his family went about their business as the shootings began. His dad was in the bedroom, his mom and sisters were watching TV and he was walking towards his room. As he approached the door to open it, a missile hit his room. Johnny flew quite a distance as a result. “Just like in the movies,” Johnny told us. The missile went through 3 walls and stopped at the fourth. By the grace of God, no one from his family was injured. Johnny said that this experience could make him hate the Israelis for what they did to his house. It is easy to hold a grudge, but he does not because of his faith. He then shared his testimony to us and how he became a believer in Jesus, and how we was so looking forward to meeting his brothers and sisters in Christ from the other side.
Ari. This trip was the first time that Ari had met Palestinians besides at a checkpoint where he spent time as part of his army service. He had just come back from a month reserve service in the army. His interaction with Palestinians had only been in that capacity and he came to the Musalaha trip with great hesitation. Ari was not expecting to be welcomed and anticipated a barrage of antagonism or hatred. However, he was surprised that he was treated as a family member and not a stranger. On the Desert Encounter, people wanted to get to know and understand him and to develop relationships with him. This had a profound impact on Ari, who went home and told his congregation about the experience and wants to bring along his family at the next opportunity.
Youth Leader Programs
Eighteen young adults went to Petra, Jordan for a Youth Leaders Training Conference.
Israeli participant “I was encouraged by the fact that we were together- Israelis and Palestinians one in Yeshua. Amazing experience. I was so blessed at the last night when [the group] prayed for us who are going in the army… it was very very special. I just burst out in tears… so in that sense it was very, very exciting and uplifting.”
Palestinian participant: ‘Paul says in the Bible that Jesus gave him the ministry of reconciliation; WOW! That word came ALIVE in the conference. Not just reconciling the sinners to God but reconciling God’s children to each other. God is so good!! I cried the last day; yes I did! I saw other crying as well! I felt love! Three of the Israelis there were going to the army and they asked us, the Palestinians, to pray for them! How awesome is that? It is hard for me to go to any Israeli town because, as a Palestinian, I need a permit. I want to go fellowship with my brothers and sisters on the Israeli side but cannot. But, praise God for bringing us together.”
Staff News
Several new members have joined our team this year. Joel Goldberg and his family returned from studying youth ministry in the US. He will be setting up a national center for believing youth in Netanya, and will join Musalaha part-time as a member of our youth committee. Kim Bulow came to work full-time as the administrative assistant. We are grateful to the many volunteers throughout the year who have helped in the office, served as program leaders, and spread the word about our ministry.
For some “behind the scenes” insight into the Musalaha team, we asked our office staff to share some information about themselves.
Tanas Al Qassis: I just completed my first year on staff at Musalaha, but have been involved with Musalaha almost from the beginning. I am from Beit Sahour (near Bethlehem), and work here as the Operations Manager and lead youth and young adult projects. I have been married to Anne for 13 years. I am the resident expert on technology and food, and a master in the fine art of the BBQ. Highlights of my year include riding a Harley-Davidson in Florida to raise money for cancer patients.
Brittany Browning: I am finishing up my 7th year in the Musalaha office where my main roles include coordinating publishing and women’s projects. I love hanging out with youth, coaching and playing softball, strumming a guitar every so often, and escaping into the great outdoors any chance I can get. Highlights of my year include my sister’s wedding on the Florida beach just hours before Hurricane Dennis, and climbing the mountains of Wadi Rum with my youth group.
Shadia Qubti: Hey I’m Shadia and I’m the funniest one in the office. I like to come in with a smile because I can’t help but smile when I see Kim, Tanas, Brittany and Louise’s faces. They are just minding their business on their desks and I just like to bother them and get a ‘good morning.’ I am from Nazareth and currently a student at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. My job at Musalaha, besides bothering people, is coordinating summer camp and youth projects and helping in young adult projects.
Louise Thomsen: I have been at Musalaha almost two years as the administrative director. I have lived in Israel about half my life and am originally from Denmark; that’s why I am the Great Dane of the office. In my spare time I volunteer with handicapped. I also spend a lot of time hiking and traveling around the country. I am trying to do something about my garden, although it doesn’t show. The highlights of the year were the wedding of very good friends and spending time with my family in Denmark.
Kim Bulow: I am originally from New Zealand but came to Israel when I was 11 and grew up in a small town outside of Haifa in Northern Israel. I have a B.A in English Literature from Haifa University. This spring I began working as the Administrative Assistant at Musalaha. In my free time I work with youth, love to write and have a passion for the sea and all its surroundings. I also love to escape Jerusalem and visit my family up North. One highlight of my year was my Mum’s 50th birthday party.
Salim, Kay and the Munayer boys: The boys are all well and busy with activities. Sam(7) had his first swimming competition last month. Jack (16) and Daniel hate their extra math lessons, which are completely necessary. John (11) finally completed growing his hair, which his brother paid him to do. It’s curly all over and very cute.
I (Kay) have embarked on a small Christmas project which has turned into a massive whopping Christmas project. I am selling olive wood and Christmas things to raise funds for the Shepherd Society Christmas basket appeal. What started as a small project has grown tremendously. I am in the process of refining exactly what my ministry is outside the family, and I think I’ve found my answer in charity work. It is hard work but I don’t feel this at all because I absolutely love doing it.
We were all happy to see Salim come back from the US after two weeks. It was very special privilege for him to be invited to speak at Fuller’s School of Intercultural Studies Fortieth anniversary and in many churches. This year at the BBC Nazareth extension he is giving a course on dealing with persecution, called “Standing in the Storm.” At the Bethlehem Bible College, he is teaching exegesis and Judaism, and keeping up with his administrative duties as academic dean. Salim is also part of the leadership training courses for the Alliance church in East Jerusalem and Caspari Center.