The Women Reborn CC coordinated two iftars in Israel for Ramadan this year. Under the leadership of Ibtisam Mahamid, Women Reborn collaborated with SHIN, the Israeli Movement for Equal Representation of Women, to coordinate two Ramadan iftars in Jisr az-Zarqa and Faradis in Israel. As part of the two organizations’ Women's Leadership program, the iftars allowed women from neighboring countries to come together in the interest of shared support and empowerment.
In late July, the women from Jisr az-Zarqa invited the women of Faradis, along with the leadership of SHIN, to break the Ramadan fast with them. Elana Rozenman, Executive Director of URI CC Trust WIN (Women's Interfaith Network), attended the iftar as a guest of Ibtisam. Approximately 50 women and children attended the evening meal. Afterwards, the women discussed how the program empowered them. One woman learned to read and write as a result of the program, and another said she learned skills to start her own catering service. Others talked about how the program improved their relationships with their husbands, family, and community.
Ester Hertzog, the Executive Director of SHIN who received the Israel Prize Laureate for her work with women, spoke movingly about SHIN's history of empowering Israeli women to create better lives for themselves and their families. Sarin Angel of SHIN encouraged the women to see this as just the beginning of their individual and collective progress, as well as their role as leaders in their communities.
On August 3rd, the Mayor of Faradis and Ibtisam, along with the executive director of Women Reborn CC, invited the Mayor of Jisr az-Zarqa, his family, and the women of Jisr az-Zarqa and SHIN to an iftar in Faradis to continue the process of mutual support and empowerment between the women of the two neighboring towns. Again there was delicious food and the 50 women and families were able to build on and strengthen the friendships that were created in Jisr az-Zarqa.
