Launch of 'Chayim Beyachad' - Wadi Ara Interfaith Encounter - 12th December 2007:

It gives me great pleasure to share with you the good news of the launch of "Chayyim B'Yachad" (Living Together) – the Interfaith Encounter group of the Wadi Ara area, which is the 26th group of IEA. It is a letter that was written by Ronit Roth – who initiated the group together with Kamel Agbariya – as an internal summary of the launch encounter, but Ronit agreed to share it with all as the report from that encounter.

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Shalom, Salaam to my new friends at "Chayyim B'Yachad"

I am so grateful for today, and I thank all of you for taking the time to come out, and for your commitment to real peace.

I feel that we made an excellent start.

The late Ted Smith, my chief teacher of Psychiatric Nursing, identified 4 stages in the making of a viable group: Storming, forming, norming, performing.

I think we've done some good storming today, don't you?
We touched on some safe ground and some not so safe...
We felt each-other out.....
We sounded our ideas about Peace, Religion, and our purpose and interest.
We spoke of ideas for meeting topics.
Please fill out the missing pieces please. (This letter is being sent to Yehuda, too.)

I left the café feeling very happy, like a kid having found a new play-ground full of new friends!!

I feel that we make a rich group. And rich we are!! All are creative people, each in his/her arena -- I've been thinking for a while that it's the artists who make the place turn.

And all those good signs!!

*  This morning's Torah portion - Joseph revealing himself to his brothers - here we were, revealing ourselves

*  The hearts floating on the frothy cups of coffee in front of us, prompting us to live from our hearts - and, indeed, I felt our hearts today

*  The new moon - barely visible in the sky tonight- as it grows, so will our friendship; as its light increase, so will our own individual light.
The last night of Hanukkah - all 8 candles lit tonight - symbolizing freedom on all levels

*  Preparation being made for Eid-el-Idha - the personal sacrifices we all make for a greater cause.
Any more?

It seems to me that we agree on the idea of Ma'agal Hakshavah - as a tool for listening.

Elham agreed to teach us her wonderful tool for communication, "Family Physics" (did I get it right?) .

Our next meeting has been scheduled for January 18, 2008 in Oren's home.

Till then, may I offer this as an open table - please feel free to add, agree or disagree, correct me, anything.

Looking forward to more.

Blessings to you all - Ronit.


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