Musalaha News letter March, 2001

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2001
STAGES OF RECONCILIATION IN ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN PALESTINIAN ARABS AND ISRAELI JEWS
AND LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS.
MUNAYER FAMILY UPDATE
UPCOMING EVENTS

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2001

On February 16-17, 160 Jewish, Palestinian, and international women gathered in Jerusalem for Musalaha's sixth annual Women's Conference. We were overwhelmed and delighted by the response of so many women to the invitation to meet together with their Palestinian and Jewish sisters.

The women who attended were taking a risk, becoming open to others who may hold vastly different cultural, theological, political and social backgrounds. In light of recent political events, on all sides the pain and hurt is fresh, sensitivities heightened, distrust and dehumanization is growing.

As one participant said, "There is much pain and many issues on both sides. In the midst of this tense political situation 160 women, Arabs and Israelis [and ex-patriots], met. We met to share our hearts with one another. We met, united by our love for the Messiah and united by God's love for us. We met as sisters very aware of the things that would separate us, very aware of how much easier it would be not to meet, but also very aware of the urgency of the work of reconciliation more now than at any other time."

Together the women worshiped in one another's languages, shared in times of fellowship and Bible study, and prayed together. As well, in order to get a glimpse of each other's customs, some women shared cooking demonstrations of Arab and Jewish cuisine. As each woman has her own special recipe, this activity became an excellent conversation starter. "So how do you prepare this." could be overheard during the coffee break.

The organizers felt it was also important to touch on the more difficult realities that women living in this land face. Therefore, three people (a Palestinian Arab living in Israel, a Messianic Israeli Jew, and a Palestinian Arab living in Palestinian areas) shared testimonies on how the situation has affected them personally, and how it has affected their family and faith community. Although these can be sensitive subjects, the women approached their audience with honesty and yet with continued emphasis on the Lord, how He has remained their strength and how the situation has challenged them to grow closer to Him. Following the conference, the woman from a Palestinian area told us that immediately prior to sharing her testimony, she had been so blessed by a Jewish believer who had prayed with and for her. This small exchange reflected an underlying theme of the conference: despite many difficult and divisive issues, we are united by a God who loves us and commands us to love each other. It was encouraging to see so many women who deeply desire to obey that command and to build bridges between believers.

"Our coming together was a commitment. We were committing ourselves to walk together in the midst of this extreme difficulty. Committing ourselves to press through these challenges to respond to the call of God and to receive what the Lord would have for us in blessing as we responded to Him."

STAGES OF RECONCILIATION IN ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN PALESTINIAN ARABS AND ISRAELI JEWS

By Salim J. Munayer, PhD.

We and others who are involved in reconciliation have observed certain trends when Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews enter into a reconciliation process. The journey towards reconciliation has often occurred in several stages.

In the first stage, people from both sides are often hesitant and need encouragement to meet with each other. However, they are usually willing to get together. In the initial meeting, people are curious, interested, have fun, and often are enthusiastic to participate in an activity together.

In the next stage, Israeli Jews find themselves surprised by Palestinians' grievances and charges against Israelis. They are overwhelmed at the Palestinians' stories, political and theological opinions, and at how strongly they express their feelings. This can be attributed to the lack of interaction and understanding of the realities of each other's lives.

The third stage usually finds the Israeli participants in a process of withdrawal, backing off from meetings because they are no longer interested, see it as hopeless, or the issues have become too overwhelming and painful. As a result, Israelis respond by stating their own accusations and grievances against the Palestinians. They also share their strongly held theological and political positions. Each side reacts by saying that the other's withdrawal from the process was obvious and inevitable, that they will never understand and never accept one another. Each side accuses the other that they are blind to reality and to the truth of the Bible.

The question now is: how many are left in the process? Some who are unwilling to continue working towards reconciliation have entered the process wanting to reinforce their theological, political and cultural positions. By not completing the process, they are allowed to remain in their theological and political corners, protecting their own perceptions and prejudice. However, embracing the other does not necessitate losing ones ethnic or spiritual identity; rather those who persevere in the reconciliation process find themselves strengthened and more secure in their own identity and faith.

Those who continue, enter the next stage of maturity, realize that they are bound to live alongside one another. At this point, people understand that both sides have genuine charges and grievances against each other. They also recognize the shortcomings of their own people, and that their side has also contributed to the breakdown of relationships and the violence of the conflict. They realize that they must find a way to correct and restore the relationship between the two peoples and are willing to take serious steps in order to do so. Those steps include learning one another's history and life experiences, listening, and accepting differing perspectives and perceptions. They can also learn from each other about God and about Biblical truths. Making progress in reconciliation requires courage and risk; it means becoming vulnerable to 'the enemy,' being honest and open, yet sensitive and willing to listen.

A recent article in Christianity Today, quotes and paraphrases the theologian from the former Yugoslavia, Miroslav Volf. "The simple categories of victim, oppressor, and even liberation must give way; instead we must recognize that even the enemy (the alienated 'other') is part of one's own identity, Volf asserts..'At the deepest levels, our own wholeness depends on some strained recognition of the humanity of the other.. There are characteristically two main functions which religion may serve in the midst of such a clash,' Volf says. 'Christian faith and symbols may act as a cultural marker to reinforce an individuals' identity' - and thus continue to divide. Or, because of its central commitments, Christian faith may become a resource to help enemies embrace: the grace inherent in vulnerable acceptance of the enemy flows when Christian faith (not Christian identity) informs choices, he says."

Our experience reinforces that those involved in reconciliation have developed a more secure identity, becoming more sure of who they are in their ethnicity and in the Lord. At the same time, they are more open and willing to embrace others, and to work together to restore relationships and to attempt to correct the damage that has been done.

AND LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS.

Hebrews 10:24

In the past 6 months, perhaps the most significant movement is that of raising funds and receiving contributions to help the Palestinian Christians in the Bethlehem area who are unemployed and unable to purchase food and necessities. We rejoice that many of the contributions are from Israeli Messianic Jewish congregations and individuals!

Another major effort has come from Near East Ministries. This Christmas the organizations that usually distributed gift boxes to children were unable to do so. The NEM collected in Holland 6 thousand boxes and also funds for Palestinian Christians. Musalaha was involved in the logistics of the project and the long process of getting the boxes released from the ports authority. Thus the Christmas presents have turned into Easter gifts, but will nonetheless be a source of encouragement to Bethlehem area families who are going through a difficult time.

MUNAYER FAMILY UPDATE

In spite of the tense political situation and renewal of violence, we are continuing with daily life. We are so thankful for the Lord's continuing protection and provision for our family. The boys are active in school and extracurricular activities. Jack and Daniel are excelling on the swim team, practicing hard 4 days a week. Johnny is also busy with his English and Arabic lessons. Sam is growing quickly, and enjoying his preschool at the YMCA.

Kay is now volunteering twice a week at Sunbula, the shop for Palestinian handiwork. She is also coordinator for the nursery at their congregation, and stays very busy keeping up with the family's activities.

Salim continues to travel in and out of Bethlehem, usually without too much difficulty. Despite the political situation, classes at the Bethlehem Bible College and in the tour guide program are continuing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Youth Prayer Evening. On March 15, we are inviting youth groups to host an evening of prayer for the needs of youth. Several youth groups are going to join together to pray and worship, others will meet on their own. The idea is that this evening will be set aside so that people from all areas can be united in prayer.

• Youth Desert Encounter. On April 10-13, Palestinian and Israeli youth from several different communities will join us for a desert trip to the Negev desert. Most of the leaders of this trip have been involved in the youth leaders' training workshops that we have held with Youth for Christ. Please pray for these leaders, that they will have wisdom, good teamwork, and the Lord's anointing in their testimonies, Bible study and worship. Please also pray that this will be a life-changing experience for the youth, and for the safety of all involved.

• University Student Cross-cultural communication workshop. Musalaha was invited by the international student leadership to share in workshops on cross-cultural communication. The first session held in February and the next one will be in March. We pray that the workshops will be helpful to the students as they communicate across cultural barriers.

• Student Desert Encounter. This Desert Encounter will be the second one geared towards university and college-age young adults. They will go to the beautiful Wadi Rum desert in Jordan on April 9-13. Again we ask for prayer for the leaders and for the participants, that the Lord will use their time together to bring them closer to Him and to each other.