Published: 19 June 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
AN INNOVATIVE SERIES of talks starts this week aimed at shifting public thinking on the possibilities of achieving peace in the Middle East.
Organised by Kehillat Masada Synagogue in partnership with Emanuel Synagogue and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (NSWJBD), the Peace Is Possible series highlights important advances through collaborations between Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians as well as between Christian, Muslim and Jewish children.
Each Sunday over the next four weeks, four grassroots organisations will explain, via Zoom, how they aim to develop a new way of co-operation in the Middle East.
The four organisations mostly comprise those who might usually be viewed as enemies. A global movement of Jewish, Christian and Muslim youth, Kids4Peace is dedicated to ending conflict and inspiring hope.
Roots is a network of local Palestinians and Israelis based on mutual recognition of each People’s connection to the Land while the Palestinian National non-violence Movement, Taghyeer, creates innovative, safe spaces for youth. EcoPeace Middle East brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists to advance sustainable regional development.
Spearheaded by Masada’s Rabbi Gad Krebs, the series’ goal is to “try to shift people’s thinking”. As the Orthodox adviser to the NSWJBD, Krebs approached Emanuel’s Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, who is the Progressive adviser, and they brought the Board of Deputies on board.
Though featuring such organisations may be contentious, Rabbi Krebs reports that “I’ve had no objection from my own community, which is fantastic”.
Being part of an ‘echo chamber’ is very much against Krebs’ raison d'être. “If no other voices are heard, I believe it’s doing a disservice to the conversation,” he explains.
“Finding ways of listening, disagreeing but hearing and allowing eloquent people on the opposite sides of political debate to have a platform to be able to share the ideas [means] we can hopefully, if not agree, at least learn to understand them.”
Krebs’s aim may be lofty but it holds hope for a better outcome: “I thought I’d look at it differently –get organisations that are focused on resolving rather than causing the problems.”
Editor’s note: The series originally included a fifth session with Combatants For Peace, made up of Israeli soldiers serving in the IDF and Palestinian combatants. However, this session was dropped. The Jewish Independent is seeking an explanation.
Peace is Possible series runs from 7pm–8pm on Sundays June 21 & 28; and July 5 and 12.
More info and to book Zoom link
