Members of the Abrahamic Reunion pray for unity at a sunset ceremony at Jisr az-Zarka beach south of Haifa, Israel
Cooperation Circle (CC)s Abrahamic Reunion and Jerusalem Peacemakers hosted an interfaith journey September 14 in preparation for the International Day of Peace (IDP). On the bus from Jerusalem to the Haifa-Carmel region, we were 40 Palestinians including a Sheikh, Jamal al-Din, and women and children from Wadi Joz, Ras al-Amud, Beit Haninah, Shuafat, Beit Iqsa, and 15 Israeli Jews. At the Modiin checkpoint, the soldiers stopped us in suspicion, checking all identification initially, but they were pleasantly surprised that Jews and Arabs would be making such a journey together at this time.
Arriving in Faradis, we were welcomed by Ibtisam Mahamid at her center, the Tent of Hagar and Sarah, where another 15 Israeli Jews joined us. Sheikh Ghassan Manasra facilitated the morning’s events, breaking us into groups to study and discuss Islamic and Jewish tradition on Teshuva/repentance. Elana Rozenman of Trust-WIN had everyone contribute to the shared closing blessing.
We then proceeded to Zichron Yaakov, crossing the new bridge from Faradis for a bonding lunch of kosher hummus in a local park, accompanied by song from musician RebbeSoul called "HaRachaman: A Prayer for Peace", which asked God, the Compassionate One, to bless the children of Isaac and Ishmael. After a guided tour of landmarks demonstrating the founding of the modern Israeli town of Zichron Yaakov, we traveled to Haifa where we met Bahai leaders and descended the stairs through the stunning Bahai gardens, stopping for a group prayer for peace.
Next, at Elijah's Cave, ultra-Orthodox rabbi Eliyahu Kaufman spoke about the meaning of Eliyahu/Elijah in the Bible and Jewish tradition and the history of Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze praying side by side here in the cave during the Ottoman Era. In Elijah's Cave, we joined in a shared chant of 'Allah' and 'Ana Elna Rafanala', praying for the healing of Abraham's family and for two leading religious peacemakers from the Haifa area that are very ill now: Druze Sheikh Hussein Abu Rukkun from Isafiya and Shear Yashuv HaCohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa. The guard of Elijah's Cave said later that, in 27 years, he had never seen such a group come to pray together there. At this point we heard that Radio Israel had broadcast a report on our event.
We closed with a magical evening of a sunset walk and prayers (and swimming for the kids) on the waves of Jizr il-Zarka beach with Jizr activists sharing their work for community empowerment in one of the poorest towns in Israel. All participants left inspired and motivated to continue this work of bridge building at this challenging time.
Thanks to Rising Tide International and German Global Hope Fund for their support to make this day happen.
Shalom and Salaam,
Eliyahu McLean
Abrahamic Reunion CC coordinator
