Objective: To promote religious reconciliation and in particular a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Commitment: To provide funding for select projects and to further efforts in peace and reconciliation projects. This project will be supporting the Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam community, aimed at demonstrating the possibility of Jews and Palestinians to live together peacefully and equally in a community based on mutual acceptance, respect and cooperation.

Background: Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is a village of Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli citizenship. The village is situated equidistant from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam was founded in 1972 on land leased (and later given) to it by the adjacent Monastery of Latroun. In 1977 the first family came to reside there. Currently, in 2006, 54 families are living in the village, with 19 families to join the community soon, and another 300 on a waiting list.

Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam gives practical expression to its vision of an egalitarian society through pioneering educational work at The School for Peace, a center for dialogue and conflict resolution, a Children’s Educational System that includes a bilingual, binational Primary School and Junior High School, and the Father Bruno Hussar Pluralistic Spiritual Centre, which promotes interfaith dialogue. Besides its educational work, NSWAS and its members conduct other projects such as the Humanitarian Aid for Palestinians program.

Partnership Opportunity: Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is a community of Jewish-Israelis and Palestinians committed to promote religious reconciliation and in particular a lasting Israeli-Palestinian through demonstrating the possibility of Jews and Palestinian living together equally and peacefully and a commitment to mutual understanding, respect, dialogue and cooperation. Funds for the following projects are welcome to further the aims of NSWAS. Additional information is available upon request from CGI or from NSWAS: School for Peace Chair ($50,000); building of a Guest House ($50,000); Sponsoring a Primary School Teacher for one year ($35,000); Furnish a Classroom at the Primary School/Junior High School ($35,000); Annual operating funds for the Father Bruno Spiritual Center ($24,900); School for Peace Youth Encounter Workshop ($12,500); Primary School Monthly Transportation Costs ($9,000); Seminars through the Father Bruno Spiritual Center ($5,500); Primary School Partnership Program ($850).

Update:
May 2006:
S. Daniel Abraham’s Donation was transferred in full to the bilingual, bicultural Primary School/Junior High School (PS/JHS) at Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (NSWAS).

As a result of such generous donations, the school curriculum can be further developed and expanded to focus on a learning system that emphasizes current events, proficiency in all academic subject, and creativity in its students. This year the school developed the “Culture and Tradition” workbook that includes material on Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays, Hebrew and Arabic language activities and vocabulary, as well as other enrichment activities. Students and teachers value this workbook and the Israeli Ministry of Education also appreciates the book’s presentation of the three religions.