We honored the work of Hand in Hand during February. The organization focuses on building positive relationships and trust between Arab and Jewish citizens by providing integrated schools. Here is a description from their website:
Hand in Hand is building inclusion and equality between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel through a growing network of bilingual, integrated schools and communities. Launched in 1997 with 50 children, there are now over 2,000 students enrolled in six Hand in Hand schools from Jerusalem to the Galilee. Hand in Hand was established to combat one of Israel’s greatest existential threats: the growing social alienation and lack of trust between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. We believe that education is key in changing this.
The Hand in Hand newsletter has a wonderful story about how children are coping with the war in Gaza (read it at the link in blue text).
At the Feb. 18 service, KMUCC member Pete Rux spoke about the visit he and Carolyn made to Palestine and how inspired they were by the folks they met from Hand in Hand.