UK Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum (FBFF) Newsletter 32

Dear Friends, Welcome to the July edition of the FBFF newsletter. We are preparing for some major events which we hope some of you will be able to join us for. We have several

July 2013

screenings of the PCFF documentary Two-Sided Story planned: at the Festival of Spirituality in Edinburgh on 24th August; in the Isle of Man; at the Oswestry Peace Group in Shropshire; and with the Tweeddale Meeting of the Religious Friends.

If you would like more information about any of these events please let us know. We are also awaiting confirmation about several other screenings. The newsletter includes information about our fundraising dinner in

November as well as several new projects organised by the forum in Israel and Palestine. Hope everyone is having a lovely summer.

Diane Taylor

FBFF Manager

FORUM MEMBERS VISIT LONDON We were delighted to welcome forum members Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin to London in June. The two men, who refer to each other as brothers, were in the UK to promote Within the Eye of the Storm, a new documentary directed by Shelley Hermon which features both of them. You can read more about the film at http://withineyeofstorm.com/

and retaliation. There is only one simple way to do it, which is by talking: talking to one another about the problems. There are real problems but they will not be solved unless we talk.’

Underlining the importance of their challenging work, Rami said: ‘We must break once and for all this endless cycle of revenge

Rabbi Alexandra Wright kindly welcomed Rami and Bassam to the Sabbath morning service at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, where they

had the opportunity to address the congregation

about their work for peace and reconciliation.

Bassam said: ‘I decided I am not going to be a prisoner of my past, of my history. ‘If we can sit down and talk, everyone can do it.’

Bassam (left) and Rami (right) with FBFF members Awatif al Jadealy and Judith Elkan

COME TO OUR NOVEMBER FUNDRAISING DINNER We hope that lots of our supporters will come to our fundraising dinner on 10th November. Money raised will be used to support the inspiring grassroots work carried out by Israelis and Palestinians bereaved by the

conflict who work together for peace and reconciliation. The event will be an opportunity to enjoy delicious food and music, meet other supporters of this important and courageous work and meet forum members Palestinian Bassam Aramin and

Israeli Robi Damelin. Tickets for the evening cost £100. Please let us know if you would like to attend and if you have friends or relatives who would like to join you to make up a table of ten. The dinner will be held at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John’s Wood.

‘…the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye’ (with apologies to Rudyard Kipling)

It was FBFF's lucky day on 30th June, the day of our fundraising garden party at the home of chair Judith Elkan. The sun shone all day long and more than 80 guests enjoyed a quintessentially English summer afternoon, sipping tea and elderflower cordial, nibbling on dainty sandwiches, home made cakes and, naturally, strawberries and cream. The garden was in full bloom and guests strolled across the lawn admiring the many different flowers on display. Thanks to everyone who donated so generously – the event raised more than £3,000 – and, of course, to Judith for sharing her beautiful garden with us all. UK Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum (FBFF) Tel: 07966 145098 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.FamiliesForum.co.uk

PC-FF PROJECTS

WRITING THE BOOK OF LIFE The process has begun of creating a ‘Book of Life’ for each of the Palestinian and Israeli women who attended an initial workshop on this subject. The day started with a sharing of experiences. The stories were painful, yet the willingness to listen with empathy, no matter which side was speaking, was clearly apparent. Well known artist Dvora Morag introduced the project. She created a PowerPoint presentation showing examples of books and ideas. The women were fascinated and inspired by seeing beautiful books created by people who did not necessarily have a background in art. Dvora then showed the women how to make

Juta envelopes which will contain their book and the women set about sewing the envelopes. The exercise created a real atmosphere of togetherness. Some of the women had not touched a needle and cotton for many years and giggled about their repeated attempts to thread needles. After the lunch break there was an exercise learned from a previous ‘Healing of Memories’ workshop. Each woman was given a large piece of paper and pens of different colours. They created for themselves images and illustrations of milestones, both happy and sad. Three small, intimate groups were created in which each of the

women explained what their illustration meant. This was very painful in some cases, but also funny, and created a sense of unity. It was also an excellent opportunity for each woman to look at life not only from a tragic perspective but to find grounds for humour too. Each of the women will fill her envelope with something which symbolises a milestone for her. They will then bring the envelopes back with the items they collected and will be taught how to create the books. The exhibition is planned so that each of the books will be connected with strings to show how intertwined the women’s lives are.

CAPTURING THE PRESENCE OF A LOVED ONE Ten Palestinian and Israeli women gathered at the Everest Hotel in Beit Jalah recently for the first meeting of a new PC-FF project – a photography exhibition called ‘The Presence of the Lost One’.

concept of illustrating how the presence of the person we have lost remains with us and how to capture that in a photograph. The women were fascinated and could not wait to get to work.

The day generated a great deal of excitement among the women, some of whom had never held a camera before. Israeli and Palestinian women are working in pairs as partners on the project. A workshop to guide them in their photographic endeavours was led by Vardi Kahana, a well known photographer and a graduate of the History Through the Human Eye project.

The three mentors then explained how to use the cameras and the women were given an assignment – to photograph a portrait of their partner for the project and then to photograph an object and a place. They then brought their work back and were given feedback on what they had produced. The pictures were all of very high quality.

Micky Kretzman, head of the photography department at the Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem, and Ata Awisatt, a Palestinian photographer who works for one of the most important newspapers in the region, were also involved. The day started with everyone introducing themselves and sharing a little bit about their life stories. This strategy always helps to make an emotional breakthrough. Each of the workshop leaders gave examples of photographs which tell stories. Vardi explained the Please support our work by signing a standing order (last page). Or click here to make an on-line donation:

‘Some of the women had never held a camera before… The pictures were all of very high quality…’ Each woman was given homework – to start to photograph the presence of her lost loved one and to return with the images she has captured for the second meeting. All the participants have responded positively to this task and are looking forward to seeing their work displayed in an exhibition to mark International Peace Day in September.

PC-FF PROJECTS

THE ROUTE TO UNDERSTANDING: THROUGH PUMPKIN, APRICOTS AND WATERMELON PICKLES It may have been 36 degrees outside but the melting temperatures didn’t deter 15 women, a famous TV personality and chef, and a photographer, who made their way to the West Bank town of A-Ram. These women (above) were meeting for the second time to prepare jams, pickles and anything that could be preserved in glass containers until the Neighbours event takes place on 28th September, showcasing all of this wonderful food. Delicious jams have been created from pumpkin,

YouTube mention for PC-FF The Power of Outrospection, a ten-minute animated video by Roman Krznaric, mentions PC-FF. It’s been seen by more than 300,000 people on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG46IwVfSu8

watermelon pickles, wild orange and apricots as well as lots of other fresh produce. The women had a long discussion and shared the Israeli and Palestinian narratives of their respective kitchens. Grandmothers’ recipes were discussed and swapped. It is astonishing to find how much can be learned from culinary history about the broader history of the region. Plans are being made to produce recipe books which will include the personal stories with pictures of the women and their produce. This part of the narrative project is a remarkable way to cement friendships and to create an understanding of the other. The women taking part are learning, not only how to cook new things, but the history of Israeli and Palestinian kitchens too.

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