INTERFAITH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS SEARCH FOR NEW WAYS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP

Excitment was in the air, when high represantatives and leaders of Religions met from October 18-22, 2009. Every two years, since 2003, the gathering of world religious leaders, that make up the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders (www.elijah-interfaith.org), takes place in a major religious site or important city. This has been the first time, that they met in Israel.



The meeting was devoted to the theme "The Future of Religious Leadership". In panel discussions and workshops, it explored what it means to be a religious leader, in all participating religions, what challenges religious leaders face today and how religious leaders should be trained. One specific focus of the meeting was how forgiveness is practiced as part of the vocation of the religious leaders in all religions.


At a Christian School, talk between participants of the conference and pupils.

For several days the representativs of Hinduism, Sikhisim, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and from the Baha´í and Druze Religion used the opportunity to meet on an academic but also on a personal level. Interactions not only happened between the representatives but also with students at Haifa University and Pupils of a Christian Seminary. Some of the pupils of the Seminary, that is situated in the Territories, have never met a Jew before and thus were eager to learn more especially about them.


Marching together for peace... religious representatives (left to right): Archbishop Elias Chacour (Christian), Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein (Jewish), Bhikkhu Sanghaseena (Buddhist), Swami Atmapriyananda(Hindu), Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh (Sikh).

One of the major goals of the conference is to learn to listen more and comunicate deeper, that the understanding of the other religions will grow.


Religious Representatives hold up ceramics with their religious symbols

The participants said, while remaining rooted in their own religious tradition, it is important to respect one another and find ways to dialogue and meet on various levels, thus enhancing peace.


The Conference Participants in Haifa at the Baha´í World Center.



more pictures upon request and on: www.events007.blogspot.com
Some messages of participants of the conference: www.message-to-the-world.blogspot.com

STOP RUNNING. BE HAPPY HERE AND NOW!

Vietnamese Monk Thich Nhat Hanh teaches in simply words how you can practice being happy right here and now without searchig happyness far away...

HOME

Don´t miss this thought provoking movie with phantastic pictures and music. It´s about us, how the future of our planet will look like...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDmOt-vIL8

PEACE IS... GETTING CONNECTED THROUGH MUSIC...

LOVE!!! Because: AN EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD BLIND - Mahatma Gandhi

I want to share the following video with you, that a palestinian friend of mine posted. Most of you know, I have friends of all religions and backgrounds. What I pray for, is not the winning of one side over another, but for PEACE AMONGST ALL HUMAN BEINGS...


video: type in the white search bar "we will not go down" - song by Michael Heart

Let us pray and work for a non-violent, peaceful solution. May we all be able to open our hearts and minds to all human beings, especially to those, that seem different from ourselves.

This weekend I am showing again my photo-video presentation to the public in Vienna
"the Holy Land- in search for eternal peace"... big words... but... there still do EXIST people even NOW in the Holy Land and other places, that give their lifes for peacework!

Where there is darkness, there also is light... There must be.
I see the conflicts like that: it´s like a totally dark place without light... but, as soon as we open a door and let the light flow in, the darkness will cease and only light will be there, because in the end, light is always more powerful!

There is always hope, we just don´t have to give up on it. An make peace real! It´s upon every single one of us... It´s not far out THERE... It´s within us, where it begins.

May we find the strength to believe in peace and act that way. Especially when it´s hard. Especially when we are confronted with conflicts. Especially when we meet so called enemies... Then we can prove, how deeply we yearn for peace. How deeply we want to love...To love in those times is the hardest...and at the same time if we achive to love...it´s the most powerful weapon against hatred...love is always stronger in the end.

A Jewish friend asked me, to present also the Jewish side for a broader perspective:

Even though it shows the loss of israeli soldiers during the war of Israel with Lebanon, seeing the first and now the second video, it shows, that there are always 2 sides of a medal, there is not just "black and white".

Some may ask: why do we see these terrible ware pictures on a peacesite? It´s only because this shall eventually show, that violence & war is NOT the way. How can we ever find peace, as long as we are violent?

HERE IS THE VIDEO YOU ALL MUST SEE - showing how we can be full of HOPE DESPITE the PROBLEMS we face:

Nick Vujicic, the guy without arms and legs:
"VICTORY IS NOT WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.
VICTORY IS WHEN YOUR HEART CHANGES."

So, if a man without arms and legs can achieve what you just saw in the video, don´t you think, there are ways to make the seemingly impossible actually POSSIBLE? I say: YES, PEACE IS POSSIBLE, if each one of us begins within himself.

More inspiration on: www.eineweltvollerwunder.blogspot.com

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE in CYPRUS

Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land Pierbattista Pizzaballa at the interreligious meeting that was promoted by the catholic community San Egidio:
Dialogue is important. But not just Dialogue. Rather Encounter and Dialogue are bridges that tear down the barriers of ignorance, enabeling the knowledge of the other, who is then no longer a threat or danger, but becomes instead a ressource...
http://www.h2onews.org/_page_videoview.php?id_news=1305

Cardinal Walter Kaspar of the pontifical council underlined at the meeting that dialogue is the only way to live in peace...


See also: Pope Benedict emphasizing theological dialogue in a meeting with the Armenian Christians....
http://www.h2onews.org/_page_videoview.php?id_news=1321

WORK FOR THIS WORLD AS IF YOU´D HAVE TO REMAIN FOREVER IN IT

Nov. 13th, 2008, Vienna. Do the Worldreligions contribute to an improvement of lifequality?... Leading Austrian representatives of the great Religions met to discuss this toppic infront of the public in the festive saloon of the Vienna City Hall. The consensus of the discussion was, that there still is a big potential "for right living" within the Worldreligions.



In times of a globalized industrial society, technical progress is one goal, but at the same time people keep on searching to find a deeper meaning in their lives. The Worldreligions do give answers to that search. Even if it seems that the young generation don´t care as much about Religions any more, mostly it´s the institutions that they doubt, not neccessarily religion itself.


Photo: Helmut Schüller, representant of the Catholic Church was hitting an important point, when he said "If we want to change anything for the positive within our religion - for instance if we see negative things happen within our church - we have to stay, not leave, otherwise we leave the field to those that we think don´t inerpret religion the right way."


Photo: Michael Chalupka, Protestant.

The emotional climax of the day was provoked by the simple words of Michael Chalupka (Protestant) "turn your head, look your neighbor in your face!" ... people turned towards their neighbor- most the first time that evening, even though it was already near the end of the event. There was a shy laughter, some laughed loudly. Others looked for a moment then looked away, then looked again. It was the moment of "meeting", a moment of real "communication". The moment of "perceiving each other"... Moslem women looked into the eyes of Christians, Buddhists looked into the eyes of Hinuds, Jewish looked into the eyes of Christians... No words, "just" perception.

Is "perceiving the other as he is" the actual starting point, where we really get to know each other?


Photo(right to left): Gerhard Weissgrab (Buddhist), Michael Chalupka (Protestant), Anas Schakfeh (Islam), Ursula Baatz (Moderation, Journalist, Radio: ORF), Christina Kundu (Hindu), Paul Chaim Eisenberg (Jew), Helmut Schüller (Catholic)

MORE PHOTOS OF THE EVENT UPON REQUEST: photos@henzlerworks.com

THE BEST FILM ON YOUTUBE... - THE ART OF TOUCHING PEOPLES HEARTS

Watch it and - as a friend said - cry, if you can...

"The story of a sign" - historia de un letrero


For me, it´s the best short film I maybe ever saw on youtube!
Everytime I watch it, it touches me in a different way.
In my opinion it shows, how important it can be to use the right little words to bring accross your message and have the greatest possible impact. Sometimes little words can really make a big difference. Isn´t Bringing accross your message in such a way that it opens the heart and mind of the people really an extraordinary art? How much of a difference can we make, just working on our communication skills to use them in a more efficient and benevolent way? Imagine how the world could change, if we all would just work on that - every single person?! Would there still be war?
I think it doesn´t take millions or prestige to help change this world for the better... It´s the little positive aspirations and actions, that will eventually have an impact. Maybe not within moments, but no effort for the "better" will ever be lost. What is your opinion? Write your comments...

"THEY ARE REALLY REALLY REALLY PEACEMAKERS!"

..a friend that lives in Jerusalem, sent me this touching video with the comment above. I am glad I can share it with you.

FEAST OF VESAK

Every Year Buddhists celebrate Vesak around the globe. Vesak is the feast where Buddhas Birth, Enlightenment and Passing is commemorated. In Vienna this feast took place the 25th year at the Pagoda next to the Danube river. When Buddhists of different traditions sung their mantras the formerly clouded sky began to open up...

 

Believers going to surround the stupa in Vienna with prayers.

 

Sherap Gyatso, the singer of the Tibetan Group "Wild Yaks", singing for freedom in Tibet.

 

Baloons take the prayers of the guests into heaven.

More on: www.worldofbuddhism.blogspot.com

EASTER - A TIME FOR CHANGE

Easter time. A time where Christians around the world remember, that Jesus Christ gave his life for the people of this world. He was crucified, but death had no lasting grip on him. He resurected.

The VIA CHRISTI of Alejandro Santana in Patagonia, in the south of Argentina puts the story of Jesus into perspective with life today. That latin american work shakes visitors from around the world through its expressive art and vivid history. There, the story of Christ and the story of the country - the land of the American Indians, the so called Mapuches - seams to almost scream at the spectator. The thoughts that rise up during the walk through the VIA CHRISTI park are thoughts that we have to deal with again and again during our life. Thoughts like: Jesus Christ took upon his shoulders the suffering and injustice of the world. He was crucified, gave his blood and life for the others - even strangers and "enemies". He did this consciously - not as a failure - out of pure love.

 

In Patagonia, less then 150 years ago the last great genocide took place when the Spanish General Roca ordered the "Limpideza" of Patagonia, meaning the murdering of hundreds of thousands of Mapuche Indians.
This is History. The History of Jesus. The history of a foreign country. What does that have to do with our live? What kind of a history do we want to "write" with our own life?

 

Where - today - do WE feel crucified by the behaviour of people around us? And where - in our daily life - are WE like a General Roca crucifiying people around us, with our negative thoughts, behaviour and actions? Do we like to continue the way we life, or is it time for a change? For example where can WE be more loving, where can WE practice more understanding, where can WE be more forgiving?

 

Memories of Easter in Assisi come to my mind. Assisi, the medieval hometown of Saint Francis. Saint Francis - in a few words - is one of these people that made a radical change. First born into a wealthy family, he enjoyed life, celebrating parties etc...At the age of about 25 he heard God´s call and then followed it, leaving behind his old life. First people thought he would be crazy. They threw dirt and stones after him and gossiped openly and loudly. But Francis kept on his way. His fervour made people think and after a while they were not only astonished by his way of living so radically for God. Countless wanted to do the same. They gave up their former life with all its plagues and comforts and began to follow Francis. Up to this day - about 800 years later, there are Franciscans all over the world. People that gather to follow with him the footsteps that Jesus Christ had set 2000 years ago. They chose to follow a path of love. A path toward peace and understanding.

 

One person can change countless. One!
Where do we want to go? What do we want to do with our life? What history do we want to "write"?

More photos and information on the Via Christi: www.viachristi.blogspot.com

INVITATION TO THE HOUSE OF SHIMON PERES

Jerusalem, 31st Dec, 2007. The President of Israel and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shimon Peres has invited the leaders and a selected number of priests of the different christian denominations (orthodox, catholic as well as protestant representants) to his house for a new years meeting.

 

Photo: President Shimon Peres.

President Shimon Peres, His Beatitude Theophilos III. (the greek orthodox patriarch who was just recently officially acknowledged by the israeli government) as well as the Minister of Interior Meir Shitrit sent out their messages to the public. All of them had a common focus: further improvement of mutual understanding and reconciliation and the establishment of peace in the Holy Land.

 

Photo: from left to right: Meir Shitrit(Minister of Interior), Shimon Peres (President of Israel), His Beatitude Theophilos III.(greek orthodox Patriarch), Elias Chacour (Melkite Archbishop of Haifa), Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Franciscan Custos) spreading out the message for peace infront of the media and a mainly christian crowd of listeners at the house of Shimon Peres.

 

Photo: Christians of different denomenations (armenian orthodox, syrian orthodox, catholic and greek orthodox) exchanging their greetings for new year.

 

Photo: Shimon Peres greeting his guests and answering questions for the excited crowd.


Read more details on: www.experiencingisrael.blogspot.com

Assisi welcomes POPE BENEDICT XVI.


On the sunny day of June 17th, 2007 Assisi turnes into an ocean of colorful pilgrims from all over the world. Why?! Because it´s the day where Ratzinger - the first time as Pope Benedict XVI. is visiting several sacred places of Saint Francis.

 

Photo: the colorful crowd is attending the Holy Mass celebrated by his holyness infront of one of the jewels of Assisi: the Basilica San Francesco.

 

Photo: Pope Benedict blesses the happy crowd.

 

Photo: countless youngsters can´t wait to see the pope down at Santa Maria degli Angeli. The air is filled with enthousiastic outbursts of "Benedetto, Benedetto, viva il papa"...

 

Photo: Pope Benedict XVI. gives his blessing after an inspirational sermon; next to him on the right stands Bishop Domenico who spiritually prepared Assisi more than half a year for the visit of the pope even with a special prayer.

These and many other photos are available on the photo CD "Pope Benedict XVI. visits Assisi"

UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY...

When the sun rose on the 5th of November 2006, few people knew about the extraordinary meeting that was about to take place in the Franciscan Sacred Convent of Assisi, Italy. That day a group of almost 100 people from 12 different religions began to meet for an interreligious dialog. Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the pontifical council for interreligious dialog (PCDI) of the Catholic Church had invited them to come to Assisi. Why? Pope John Paul II. set a great sign when he initiated the first meeting for "prayer for peace" in Assisi already 20 years ago. At that time he had invited the leaders of various religions from all over the world. Now for the first time not the religious leaders, but the young generation - coming from all parts of the world - met for dialog. They were to learn what "the Spirit of Assisi" - the spirit of peace - is all about.

For four days the religious representants (who came from countries like Japan, India, USA, South-Korea, Singapore, Israel, Gambia, UK, Bosnia, Turkey, Greece,...) came together to not "just" listen to interesting talks. They also got a chance to dialog in organized little discussion groups. There the young generation - probably some of them with future leading positions in their religion - reflected upon what is important in the world today. Even though coming from very different cultural and religious backgrounds, the key words during their dialog were repeatedly "prayer and peace" and "peace through prayer".

Breaks were used as additional opportunities to get in touch with each other. And it was amazing to realize how fast Clichés broke down. From a Japanese participant I heard, he first was a little afraid when he saw a Sikh with his turban and dagger come into the conference hall and he had asked himself how this man might use his dagger. But the Japanese said he was happy when a few days later the Sikh came to talk with him. The Sikh explained more about his religion and thus all prior fears evaporated.

Simply through meeting each other, through opening up towards one another, many misbelieves and misunderstandings vanished within a matter of hours. So powerful it can be to willingly open up toward the unknown.


 
Photo: THERE IS HOPE... The young generation comprising of 12 different religions gathers in front of the beautiful Basilica "San Francesco" representing not only Christianity, Judaism and Islam but also Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Shintoism and Taoism as well as Baha´i and Brahma Kumari.


To pro-actively show an interest in learning more, to understand better, to appreciate what the other has to tell and to share, means to act in favor of peace. Being a peacemaker is not something far away.


 
Photo: LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE... The motto of the Interreligious Youth Meeting taken into action... Gathered around Cardinal Paul Poupard we see cheerful representants of Sikhism, Brahma Kumari, Islam and Taoism.


To build peace and to turn this world into a better place, it does not need much: if WE begin within ourselves, to change our attitudes to the better, to live with us, our family, friends and neighbors - the people we meet daily - in a peaceful way, then peace will spread. We do not have to wait for the other to take the first step. We can be the first one who does the first move. We can be instruments of peace, if we are ready to say "yes" to it.


 
Photo: “DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL"... a colorful mix of different people... "Different" does not mean "dangerous".


When I asked the participant Tetsuen Saito (Tendai Buddhism, Japan) what would be his personal message to the world, he told me "different is beautiful". We do not need to be all "the same"; we can appreciate the differences of others instead of being afraid of them. And with a smile he remarked "wouldn’t it be boring if we would all be the same?"

Yasuko Newman (Buddhism), living presently in the USA, said a simple but true message would be "let’s become one in prayer for peace".


  
Photo: "CARVING PEACE"... making peace happen... Cardinal Paul Poupard and the Sikh Phaldip Singh Khela are doing more than "just shaking hands"; they are "carving peace".


It impressed me a lot, when the Franciscan Padre Custodian Vincenzo Colli spoke about "CARVING PEACE". He compared peace with the image of a beautiful sculpture. He said, to get a perfect sculpture, the artist has to take off, what does not belong there.
And if we continue to speak in pictures and say we are a piece of stone that has to be carved into a perfect sculpture, it’s our part to actively surrender, to live less self-centered, but to take into account the needs of the other. If we give space to the other, if we are not already "so full of ourselves", then we can also perceive what richness the other has to offer and what we in return can offer that person. So in the end both will "win", will have learned something new, will be enriched and will have broadened their inner horizon a little more.

Confirming within ourselves what was also the motto of the interreligious meeting "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace" means perceiving, that Peace is not something that is passive. It is active. We have to work actively and willingly to make peace happen. To carve peace - to mold peace, means both, to act pro-actively for peace and also to surrender actively.

When I asked participants of the various religions "what do you say about peace?" I repeatedly heard responses like "peace begins within each one of us", "peace begins within the family", "be friendly to your neighbors", "do not only think of big actions or being a reknown peacemaker far away, but be peaceful in your own environment, there peace starts"...

If these representants will continue to live what they talk and will convey the experience of "the spirit of Assisi" - the spirit of peace to their cultures and religions, then - YES - there is hope. Hope for understanding. Hope for reconciliation. Hope for peace.

REMARK:
A compilation of further photos and a video upon this interreligious congress is available. You can order it through contacting: photos@henzlerworks.com

Copyright 2006 of all photos (as usual) by: Claudia Henzler

YOUNGSTERS "FLOOD" ASSISI

For the 27th time the franciscans (conventuals) invited the youth of Italy for the national conference "Giovani verso Assisi" (Youth towards Assisi).
This year 1400 youngsters between 17 and 30 years flooded the city of peace with their joyful presence.


 

"Beati i puri di cuore perché vedranno Dio" - Blessed are the pure of heart because they shall see God. During the conference the participants heard and learned what the meaning of this beatitude - once uttered by Jesus at the lake of Gallilee - means in their lifes TODAY.


 

Realizing that God resides within ourselves, in our hearts, and in our neighbors, means "seeing" the apparantly invisible God, as Enzo Bianche, Prior di Bose, indicated in one of the many inspirational talks that were given at the conference.


 


Feel free to read more: www.giovaniversoassisi.it and www.sanfrancescoassisi.org
A "Best of" - Photo Selection-CD is available on request: photo@henzlerworks.com

PER ACQUISTARE il CD con una foto selezione speciale del convegno scrivi a: photo@henzlerworks.com GRAZIE.

copyright 2006 of all photos (as usual): Claudia Henzler 

INTERRELIGIOUS CONFERENCE FOR A WORLD OF PEACE

Assisi (4th and 5th Sept 2006), hometown of the catholic Saint Francis proofed once more that it's not in vain also known as "City of Peace". At this medieval town, 20 years ago for the first time, Pope John Paul II. invited religious leaders and representants from all over the world to meet for an interreligious dialog.

Since that time the catholic Community of St. Egidio (www.sanegidio.org) continues to do a remarkable job in organizing these interreligious encounters once a year in a different city around the world as a sign for peace.


 
Photo: religious leaders and pilgrims from all over the world - setting a sign for peace in getting together in Assisi, Italy for the conference "for a world of peace" - The photo shows the touching end of the conference where a minute of absolute silence (amongst thousands of people that were talking loudly before!) was one of the impressive highlights.



 
Photo: Walking together for Peace... Representants of various religions joined the peace procession toward the Basilica of St. Francis



 
Photo: people like Berl Lazar, the Chief Rabbi of the Russian Federation (1st right), Jean Vanier, Founder of L' Arche for Handicapped(2nd right)and Luigi Stucchi from the Vatican (1st left) were not only invited to talk about "Love of God - Love for One's Neighbour" but are already putting into practice what the topic is all about.
(to be continued below)

 
Photo: Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kishinev and the whole Moldova, Patriarchate of Moscow and Vincenzo Coli, Custodian of the Sacred Convent of Assisi - reflecting about how to love God and one's neighbour



 
Photo: At the conference talk "the Civilization of Coexistence in a Time of War", Susanna Tamaro, famous italian writer touched the hearts of many listeners with her phrases:
"you open your hearts not with tolerance but with humbleness!" and
"to respect means to know where I end and where you begin"



 
Photo: Conference Talk: "The Civilization of Coexistence in a Time of War" - Elias Chacour, Melkite Archbishop from Israel is famous for his interreligious peace activism in the Middle East. He invited the audience to reflect upon the question:
"First study the other, then meet for dialog, otherwise there will be only monologs" where persons only want to bring forth their own perspective...and...
"is the "otherness" of the other a threat or a challange?"

Isn't that an important question that we can ask ourselves again and again... because doesn't it change the whole perspective if we can learn not to feel threatened by someone who is different from ourselves, who has different points of views, maybe comes from a different cultural and religious background...If we can see all that as a CHALLANGE, as a possibility to grow spiritually and intelectually and a chance to understand more about ourselves and about the other, what a difference would that shift of our perception bring about?! Would we be a step closer to peace? Is that more then an interesting reflection? Can we even encourage ourselves and try it out ? Can we actually really practice to perceive the otherness of the other as a challange instead of as a threat and then see what will be the result within ourselves and around us?! 

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR PEACE RIGHT NOW?

I just read on yahoo the line "Israel preparing Lebanon ground offensive" ... and it brought tears into my eyes.. I feel really as if the news would talk about my own country, or let´s say I feel utterly involved.

I wish so much for peace. What can we do? Isn´t there a way to peace? Lots of questions come to my mind. For instance: how can we get heard by the responsible politicians?

What is your opinion?

Is there anyone at all who can influence the politicians? I am wondering if right now israeli voices are the most powerful ones to talk to the government of Israel. Here in the news in Germany (to the degree I understand it)it seems that the government of Israel does not listen to others that are non-Israelis but do what they have in mind only. Is that so? Or is there anything more everyone can do?

I feel it is very urgent to do as much as we can RIGHT NOW, to step forward to PEACE acknowledging the Human Rights of every single person no matter what race or religion. But again I ask WHAT CAN WE - EVERY SINGLE PERSON - do right now ?


 
photo: "What do we choose to fight for?" - soldier in Hebron, prepared to act.


I talk to so many people here and around the globe via the internet. And I hear voices that are even afraid of a fast spreading of the conflict in the middle east that may turn into a third world war. Who would want that? I definately want peace. For everyone.


 
photo: "What is the value of freedom? What is real freedom? Is there such a thing as inner freedom and if so, how can we achieve it?" wall with a little break through, photographed in Hebron.


Please - all - share your opinions NOW. And especially - if you have ideas for concrete SOLUTIONS, do name them. If you have email-addresses of important organizations and polititians to write to or if you have experience in how to write a petition for peace... Or if you read quality information about the subject, post it (best: clicking on the comment button below and typing in your feedback directly).
Could this be a step to help?


 
photo: "How can we continue to see the countless beautiful and unique things that exist in our world? How can we focus on the POSITIVE amidst crushing worlds? How can we feel the presence of the creator where ever we are?" - Negev, Desert of Israel


I feel the clock is clicking. Every moment counts. Since we are all inter-related to some extent, is it correct to say that it the responsibility of every single one of us to contribute in one ore another way to peace?
I continue to believe that positive thoughts are a very efficient tool to reinforce the presence of peace on this planet. Peace - where does it start? Within ourselves. This is what we can always contribute to peace... begining with ourselves.And this kind of peace - I believe - is contagious.

Once more I encourage you to write down your feedback now. Thanks for your contribution.

PS: Especially in this time of conflict I continue to give my photopresentation-tour on Israel and Palestine to show the different aspects of life there. There is more then conflicts. Also joy and light and people (Jews, Muslims and Christians alike), striving for peace with all their heart. View: www.experiencingisrael.blogspot.com 

RELIGIOUS ACTORS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

27 & 28 June 2006, Jerusalem. The Truman Institute and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung give the opportunity to religious actors of various backgrounds (Muslims, Christians, Jews) to share with the audience their opinions, fears and hopes for peace and understanding in the Middle East.

Further than that, for instance speaker Eliyahu McLean (observing Jew) spoke about the "do´s and don´ts" in interfaith peacemaking. He pointed out how important it is to really respect one anothers religions and act accordingly ... for example if Jews would be invited to an interfaith gathering, to have kosher food prepared etc... little, but important signs that help to built a feeling of trust and respect.

Also the Christian Petra Heldt - holder of the German award "Bundesverdienstkreuz" - gave a remarkable talk, showing through indepth research what role do Christians (that comprise less then 2 percent in the Holy Land!) play, where they are welcomed and where they are actually persecuted by their Muslim and Jewish brothers (for more information on her talk, you are welcome to contact: welcome@henzlerworks.com).

 
Lars Hansel, representant of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, addreses the public...


 
Muslim speaker Saulih Sam Moghrabi shares his opinion with the audience.


 
Sufi Sheikh Bukhari points out in a meditative way the importance to live and love from the heart, no matter what religion.


 
The religious actors in the middle east smile and hope for peace in a near future.


For more information and photo orders feel free to use the follwing contact: welcome@henzlerworks.com 

THE ABRAHAMIC REUNION IN TEL SHEVA

20th of June 2006, the little desert town of Tel Sheva in south Israel turns into a place of special interest for locals and camera men of Reuters. Why?...

On this particular day the ABRAHAMIC REUNION has a new interfaith-encounter. People from the most diverse backgrounds meet. You see an orthodox Jew talking with a Muslim, and a Beduin woman talking to a man - which in the eastern culture is a very rare - mostly forbidden - thing to do. In listening circles people sit together, to get to know the other side better.

With the pictures attached below I want to take you back for a moment
to that special day in the desert. A day that marked another step toward reconciliation, peace and true understanding.

Isn´t this what the world needs? ... people of different faiths and
cultural backgrounds, meeting to see and find out "HOW IS THE OHTER
ONE?", "HOW AM I?", "WHO AM I?", "WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM THE OTHER SIDE?"... "HOW CAN WE ENRICH ONE ANOTHERS LIFES?"...

 
Orthodox Jew and Muslim sharing their visions of peace


 
"How can we learn from each other?" - Abrahamic Reunion members in a vivid discussion.


 
"Let us listen to one another. Let us learn from each other. Let our meetings be an enrichment" - Palestinian and Jewish woman, addressing the public. Jews and Muslims, men and women have a right to speak and be heard on this day. No Hirachy exists.


 
Holding hands. After a powerful meeting in Tel Sheva, Jews, Muslims, Sufis and Christians are walking together the road toward peace. Their hearts are filled with joy and hope for further steps into a positive future.

The Abrahamic Reunion is a non profit interfaith organization. Its major goal is to bring a growing understanding and respect to the consciousness of the people of the world and make the vision of peace a reality. The members come from different religious backgrounds as Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Men and women have the same rights. Religious leaders as well as "normal" lay persons take part in the Abrahamic Reunion...
For more information and support please contact me to hand you over more details. Thank you.

 

WOMEN´S TENT - GATHERING OF JEWISH AND ARABIC WOMEN IN THE DESERT


It is a sunny Sunday morning in a little desert town near Beer Sheva, southern Israel. A Gymnasium slowly fills – not only with the beduin-style carpets and mattresses, but with Jewish and Beduin women of of all ages. More and more people come till a crowd of about 200 women – including a few westerners – gathers.

The opening starts with a friendship circle and then people are divided into groups, to get to know each other. Everything happens bilingual - Arabic and Jewish. After the first “rounds” there is a break.

 
Photo: "What can I expect from this meeting?" Young Beduin waiting to inscribe herself for the Women´s Tent gathering near Beer Sheba.


Outside of the Gymnasium I sit down in a built up beduin tent, expecting nothing. Slowly more and more young beduin women come closer. They are dressed with a veil and all are covered from top to toe, but in a very fashionable beautiful way. Most of them look stunning.

I begin to ask them questions in English. At first I get no answer. They are shy. But slowly a discussion begins. “What is your age?”… Most of them are between 16 and 20. I learn that in their tradition girls get married when they are 20-21 years old. The parents chose the husband.
“What are your dreams?”… “I want to become a doctor”… “I want to be a teacher”… “I want to study”… These are mostly the answers.
“And what do your parents say?” … It depends on the Family roots and traditions. 2 girls say, their family would allow them to study… the rest of the girls say, they are not allowed to study. I ask them if they know a woman who ever studied. “Yes, one… but she left university after one year. Then she married.” … My heart cramps, when I hear that… I come from the opposite side of the medal… I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the possibility of choice… And now I sit together with young women… that face a very different reality.
“Have dreams. And make your dreams come true. If you have a strong mind, your dreams will come true”… That is my personal message for them. And their eyes begin to shine….
“Read books of people that are and idol for you… talk to people that you admire… and find out how they accomplished their goals…”… Some of the girls come to me “oh, I want to travel”… “Do you think I can become a doctor?”… The break is over.

 
Photo: Under the tent. Israeli - Arabic exchange of ideas.


Lunch time. Tasty beduin food is served. And then comes the fun part. Everybody begins to dance, to clap… Laughter fills the air… People are happy. The ice is broken.

 
Photo: Celebrating life as a woman. Israeli woman experiencing the charm of dancing with a veil ... "what great fun " think the Arabs.


... Then the second round of group work in circles start. This time we learn from each other through the sharing of traditions practiced in the particular society or family. A Jewish secular young women says “I love how my family celebrates birthdays. My birthday is the most special to me. At 4 AM my parents get up. I wake up but pretend I still sleep. They prepare everything for my. That day, I am the queen. I get everything I want. My father is a Chef and he cooks what I like. We do special things. On my birthday I always stayed at home. I never went to school, to the army or university on that day…I love this family tradition”… An 18 year old beduin girl said “Family…The most important Tradition for Jewish and Beduins is to build a family. I come from a big family. And I love it. When I grow up, I want to be like my mom. I love her. I would die for her. I would really die for her.” This simple message really touched me deeply. She talked with such a love and respect about her family and especially her mother. And I felt… Yes, we can learn so much from one another…

Suddenly half of the girls get up. They have to leave. Family tradition. They have to be back home at a certain time. The last pictures are taken. And then they disappear. Slowly the meeting comes to an end.
Fazit: the gathering was very enriching for both sides. People of different traditional and educational backgrounds with different beliefs met… and shared…and enriched each other. I believe a continuation of this kind of meetings will play an important role on several levels. It seems that this kind of meetings help one anther to:

• understand myself and my own culture and roots, to understand who I am
• understand the other and his cultural and religious backgrounds
• meet each other in a peaceful welcoming way
• to apply enriching aspects of “the art of living” from the other side to my own life (for instance what I liked: beduins say their living room has to be very big, so they can always welcome visitors… they have a very big tradition of welcoming others to their home)

READ SOME WORDS FROM THE WONDERFUL COORDINATORS OF THE EVENT:
The "Women's Peace Tent in the Desert" which took place on the 18th of June, 2006 was a heart gathering of Arab and Jewish women with the intention to create a safe and respectful meeting of the heart. A place in which women could learn about the customs of the different traditions and households, empower each other as women in intimate talk, collective prayer and ceremonies, and celebration! The gathering was the collaboration of Women's Peace Tent in the desert with Bedouin and Jewish organizations of social change: Association for Improvement of Woman's Status, Laqia; Bustan Lasalaam; Beer Sheba Municipality- Women's rights department; the cultural center of the village Hura.

THE AIM of "The Women's Peace Tent" is to hold such events in different parts of this holy land as often as possible.

If anyone feels inspired to SUPPORT the Women's Tent (which is in grave need for support)or to hold a similar peace event in a different region please use the following contacts:
email: womentent@gmail.com
phone: (00972)-54-6373010 - Hilia, the "Women's Peace Tent in the desert"-Coordinator

In the End I want to thank warmheartedly all the persons involved in organizing, coordinating, participating, and helping, only through that the Gathering became what it was... a real beautiful meeting of women from different cultural and religious backgrounds... Special thanks to Hilia, the Coordinator of the Women´s Tent, who worked unceasingly for more then 2 months to make this event happen. I personally also invite you to feel inspired to contact her and support her... she put not only her valuable time in organizing but also over 1500 shekel from her own pocket into realizing the event (even if she is not rich herself!)...

May these kind of gatherings also continue to happen and enrich more and more people for different walks of life.

PLEASE NOTE: Pictures of the colorful event - especially beautiful and expressive beduin - portraits can be ordered via my blog: www.contributions-and-more.blogspot.com THANKS.

 

Breaking the Ice - Interfaith Tour 2006

About to "shoot"... Photographers capturing the "Breaking the Ice"- group before their departure from Jerusalem.

Quote from Eliyahu McLean (Jewish Peacemaker) about the Project:
"Breaking the Ice 2006 is launching their interfaith journey across the desert from Jerusalem to Tripoli starting today at Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem. Among the group are an Israeli whose mother died in a terrorist attack, an Israeli fighter pilot who was shot down over Lebanon, a new York fireman who lost collegues in Sept. 11, an Iranian, a Palestinian whose cousin died in his arms in the intifada, a sheikh from Jerusalem, an Afghani, an American soldier involved in peace negotiations, an Iraqi who was once Uday Hussein's body double and others"

for more information check: www.breakingtheice.org

A moment of silence before "Breaking the Ice" ... 

Breaking the Ice - staff haunted by camera men and ready for departure from Jerusalem. 

Breaking the Ice "in action"- friendly encounter between Jewish orthodox and Palestinian at Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem. 

Breaking the Ice - Tour ... a colorful mix of interfaith peacemakers... Shortly before "take off".

Peace on the Mount of Olives - The open house of Ibrahim Abu el Hawa

Ibrahim Abu el Hawa carries on the old family tradition of hospitality. With the support of his wife Naima, Ibrahim dedicates his life to peace and reconciliation work.

His house serves as an open house to enable people of all different faiths and cultural as well as political backgrounds to meet each other. On the basis of dialog, Ibrahim finds that people can learn from each other and thus can strive for lasting peace.

 

Dialog between Israelis and Palestinian on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem

Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. The house of the wellknown Arab peacemaker Ibrahim Abu el Hawa is being used again and again as a place of encounter and dialog. There people of different religious and cultural as well as political backgrounds meet each other.

On Wednesday, 24th January 2006 I participated the first time at a meeting of about 50-70 people - mainly pre-army israelis, a few Palestinian and some Internationals that do their part in contributing to peace.

I would say the dialogue with the group was quite a success. If I understood it right none (!!) of the Israelis had ever spoken with an Arab before or entered the area of the Mount of Olives -an arab area - of Jerusalem. The purpose of the meeting was to get to know each other, to learn from and share with each other.

I saw that there were many emotions involved in the talk. When the question was asked if any of them would come again on the mount of Olives and if so, alone. Some of them answered: yes, I would maybe come again, with some friends but not alone. Or: yes, I would bring my family. What I liked was the idea of one Israeli who said: I want to bring two people that have never heard of this place before and they should bring two that have never heard of it before and so forth… to spread the word, to get more into contact with each other. To learn more about each others cultures, beliefs etc.

Anyhow, when asked if the Israelis would also – after this contact, after knowing some Arabs – disobey an order of their boss as a soldier, several replied: I will go to the army and I will be happy about it and I will of course follow the orders of my boss.

Another guy said: I will follow the orders of my boss, to soon become the boss and then be able to change things.

I for instance told them, it is maybe not so much the question right now, if they would follow an order of their boss to kill someone (that question was raised before). But what they can really do (both sides) is to treat each other with respect and honor. For instance while passing checkpoints, soldiers could let arabs pass as they let tourists pass, without humiliating them etc. That in my eyes is a good start.

TO BE CONTINUED below the picture.

Peace - more then a sweet dream ?!

First steps towards peace are being taken on the Mount of Olives as a group of young Israelis and Palestinians gather to meet each other. The more we get to know each other, the more we can learn about each other. The more we can trust and tolerate each other. Peace and love can grow . 

Is peace possible ?

Can there be peace ? Young Israeli at the Palestinian-Israeli encounter on the Mount of Olives at the house of peacemaker Ibrahim Abu el Hawa. 24th Jan 2006. 

Dreaming about Love and Peace

Dreaming about love and peace. Palestinian and Israeli dialogue at the House of Ibrahim Abu el Hawa on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. That is how peace begins. 

Love --- seing things pink ?!

As I tell countless people that I meet , I also told the group of Israelis, Palestininan and Internatinal Peacemakers about my thoughts about the wall – the manifested representation of my/our inner problems and limitations and that if we begin to change inside, problems will be resolved in the outer world, too. Everything can change, if we chose to love and if we pray to God that he will teach us to remember to always love more and understand more etc…
Anyhow, a comment of a girl shortly afterwards was “Things are far more complicated. You see things too pink. Etc”

Yes and no, would be my reply. I maybe see things pink. I remember my former boss, when I was 22 years old working in a travel agency. She told me: Claudia, I like your enthusiasm and your love for life. But that is because you are 22 and you don´t know any better. You have a nice positive but naïve way to look at the world. But that will change, you will see when you are as old as I am (she was 32). Well I am 33 now, but I do not think I lost much of that entusiasm and love for life. Maybe that is also why a lot of people think I am much younger J

Anyhow, I think: yes, life is complicated. Also for me. Everybody carries his personal load. But as true as it is to say: life is complicated. You can say: life is easy. Love God. Love your neighbour. Love yourself. If you do that, if you let go of your fear. You have nothing to lose. Just imagine everybody would believe that and would act according to that. All wars would immediately come to an end. It is radical and it is very easy. We just have to decide to choose love over hatred, rejection, fear etc. It is not complicated. We make it complicated. Because we hold on to our fears, hatred and feelings of hurt and rejection. But we can change at any moment. Infact we can chose to change RIGHT NOW. And I will go on spreading this message. To everybody that wants to hear it.

I think LOVE is the ultimate answer to every problem. Yes to EVERY problem. And if we want to say NO that is not true, then I want to say: STOP for a moment. Think about it twice. Is love really not the answer? Can love bring about war ? Can love – I mean true pure love – really bring about anything that is bad? If you are absorbed in the love of God, can you do anything wrong or negative? I would say no, you can´t. And if you say Yes, I can. I would reply: ask yourself if you then really do feel and act out of love or if you are fooling yourself.

I repeat this before I end: in my eyes LOVE is the cure for everything. Love will bring about peace. Lasting peace. And through the power of love, we can also learn to forgive and to act selfless. And at times where we feel we can´t love, we can turn towards God and ask him for help. And he is always ready to help us… We are his kids. He is our loving father.

40th Aniversary of the second vatican council - Jerusalem

Michel Sabah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem at the 40th Aniversary of the second Vatican Council in Jerusalem 

 


THE ROADS ARE CLOSED BUT OUR HEARTS ARE OPEN.

Ghandi - one of the greatest nonviolent peace activists - looks at you as a reminder of freedom.

Part of the wall that the government of Israel built within its own country. To protect what?! Do we really need these divisions? 

the roads are closed but our HEARTS are open

International Day of the Children. Bethlehem. Palestina - a part of Israel, but yet blocked off of the rest of Israel. Through the new built wall and israeli checkpoint. Thus politicians want to prevent contact between palestinian and israelis. Conflicts should be kept afire.

Children light their torches. "Palestinian lightening candles of hope" can be read on a poster that is held in the air. A procession of about 100 children begins to walk through the streets of the center of Bethlehem. A transport of an additional 300 children was canceled within the last hours before the event. The true organizers - a small group of youngsters with a great passion and love for life - was disappointed. They worked so hard to make this event happen for the kids. To stand up for the rights of the children. To show in this way that children are important. Infact, they are our future. But the flame of hope was stronger then the sadness. And joy won over disappointment.

Photos are held in the air. A child breaks through a wall. One child stands on top of the ruins of a demolished house. On Top. Children are strong. They keep on going. "The roads are closed, but our hearts are open" this is the core slogan. Striving for peace in a mighty but nonviolent way. That is what the volunteers keep on transmitting to the world around them. Especially to the world of children. The volunteers prove their strength and courage. They made this event happen. Even when their own organization let them down in the last minute. The effort of every single person counts.

"I want to paint a smile on the face of every disabled and diseased child", Hamdan - the head organizer of this event says. He has a handicap and can't walk properly since his birth. But a story of years of suffering tought him, that he can be stronger then the suffering. That he can actually win over the handicap. That he is so much more then a handicaped. Infact that he has lots of abilities to share with the world. And thus he sets a powerful example for the world around himself.

Love is stronger then fear. Love is stronger then suffering. Love is stronger then terror. In the end Love will always win.

With this procession, the volunteers did a step. Maybe a small but important step to prove to the kids, to themselves and to the spectators that they can make a difference. Indeed, faces alit. First by the fire of the torches, and then evermore by the fire that arose in their hearts as they marched together in a united spirit of hope. What a joy the kids experienced as the volunteers painted their faces with watercolors. Laughter filled the air.

Palestinian candles of hope.

reflecting peace

 

almighty GOD
hallowed be thy name
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven...

konstanz from canada, taking some time to reflect upon the peace walk from assisi to rome 

italy votes peacewalkers as their princesses

 

just arrived in a medieval town during the peace walk from assisi to rome, two peacewalkers coming from america were voted as princesses. this was a great honor since the villagers never voted someone coming from outside of their town as "princess" of their village celebration before.

picture: krysta-lynn landolfi, james twyman and Cheryl do their part to unite this world. 

praying for love

 

from the point of love within the heart of GOD
let love stream forth into the hearts of men.

johnny the irish man - representing his people on the walk for peace to Rome - during a moment of prayer. 

tolerance is possible

 

italian police officers welcome "peace man" at the medieval town called orte. they love what they see: a crowd of people from 12 countries marching from Assisi to Rome in the name of peace. 

wheel of life - wheel of peace

 

David Leighton gives his life to work for peace and reconciliation. Since years he lives in the orient and continously seeks ways to make peace happen even in areas of severe conflicts like the middle east. 

Let us be united

Let us be united;
Let us speak in harmony.
Let our minds apprehend alike.
Common be our prayer
Common be the end of our assembly;
Common be our resolution;
Common be our deliberations.
Alike be our feelings;
Unified be our hearts;
Common be our intentions;
Perfect be our unity.

from the Righ Veda

Picture: peacewalkers in unity - on the peace walk from Assisi to Rome 2005

 

The silent melody of peace that even touched the red pinguin

Deric Norgren - Peacewalker from the U.S.

Deric dedicates his time to organize and take part in Slam poetry. Reaching people through his hip-hop rythms with messages of peace and spirituality instead of talking and singing about sex, drugs and crime, is a way how he contributes to peace in this world. 

dancing peace

Piazza del Commune, Assisi. Joyful arrival of hundreds of thousands of peacewalkers.

Peace Walk Perugia - Assisi, Peace Day September 11th, 2005.

peacemakers radiating happiness

"Know that we attain God when we love, and only that victory endures in consequence of which no one is defeated." (Sikh Prayer)

peacemakers from 12 countries with James Twyman.

Assisi, September 11th, 2005

getting focused on the bright side of life

"Be a breath of life unto the body of humankind, a dew upon the soil of the human heart, and a fruit upon the tree of humility." (Baha'i Prayer)

I love your smile!

"Oh, allmighty God, you are the one who does not hesitate to respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace."
(Native African Prayer)

big smiles on Peace Day, September 11th, 2005
Assisi, Italy

Soldiers standing for peace

"Oh come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High. And we will beat our swords into ploughshares and ours spears into pruning hooks." (Jewish Prayer)

Assisi, Peace Day September 11th, 2005

Marching together for peace

A hindu swami, a tibetan buddhist lama and a protestant priest marching for peace in delight with thousands of others.

Peace Day, Assisi Sept. 11th, 2005

They said YES! ...

Yes, we love each other.
Yes, we strive for peace within ourselves.
Yes, we want to set a positive example in this world.
Yes, we run for peace.

Assisi setting an example for living peace in this world today

Joyful representation of the huge peaceflag at the basilica St. Francesco in Assisi, Italy.

Peace Day September 11th, 2005

Interreligious Peace Prayer in Assisi

The franciscan Padre Mizzi with the hindu Swami Muktananda from Rishikesh India, holding a peace prayer focusing on the unity amongst diversity in the basilica of St. Francis, Assisi at the tomb of St. Francis.

Padre Mizzi is well known for his work as a peacemaker. For instance he was also the one who organised the meeting for Pope John Paul II. with the leaders of different religions which took place in Assisi in 1986.