|
Dear JPB Friends & Family,
The bloodshed of the past eight months underscores the fundamental truth that the destinies of Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs are inextricably intertwined. They are like twins conjoined at the heart – Jerusalem. To violate the existence of one people only brings disaster on both.
In this context, the mission of peacebuilding is to advance the development of human leadership, social narratives, and national structures that value and benefit from shared attachments to the Holy Lands rather than depict and respond to them as threats.
This is a sacred and demanding mission that demands Jerusalem Peacebuilders (JPB) take seriously the success of our interfaith programs. Allow me to highlight four programmatic practices that will help us ensure the excellence of JPB Institutes in Europe and the US this summer:
-
Staffing: Each summer institute will be led by professional educators, each of whom are JPB staff members. Furthermore, all additional summer staff will undergo two months of training. Success this summer depends on this extensive teambuilding and preparation.
-
Monitoring & Evaluation: Did you know that JPB monitors and evaluates its programs through the systematic collection of quantitative and qualitative participant data? These instruments were developed at Yale University and enable us to measure impact on participants as well as identify needed improvements. Professor Richard Stoll, former chair of the Political Science Department at Rice University generously agreed to analyze the data from this summer. Success relies on sound data.
-
Trauma Counselors: To build resilience and safeguard the emotional well-being of participants, noted trauma counselors will train the staff and work with participants. JPB is grateful to Drs. Nidal Mokaddam of the Baylor College of Medicine, Kira Mauseth of the Washington State Dept of Health, Tona McQuire of the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Chip Schreiber of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA for donating their time and expertise. Success requires quality training and care.
-
Partnerships: JPB participants benefit enormously from the facilities, experience, and perspectives of global partners. Among the partners helping JPB to offer exceptional, well-rounded, leadership training this summer are the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Cambridge University, Solutions Not Sides, Yale University, Rotary International, North West Academy, the International Red Cross, the International Labor Organization, IWagePeace, and the United Nations (NYC and Geneva). Success needs partnerships.
| |
Your prayers, volunteering, and generosity make JPB’s programs possible this summer. Taking success seriously is our way of both honoring your support and strengthening JPB’s impact on a new generation of leaders.
Peace, שלום ,سلام,
| |
|
(The Rev. Canon) Nicholas T. Porter
Founding Director
| |
JPB AT WORK AROUND THE WORLD |
|
| | |
|
|
Despite the war and divisiveness plaguing the Middle East, JPB and its partner Retorika, will offer two Teacher-Training Programs in Cambridge, UK, and Derry, N. Ireland, this summer.
EXCEL Cambridge will welcome an outstanding group of 24 Arab and Jewish teachers who began their journey together a year ago in Jerusalem. For this second summer program, participants will engage in a series of workshops on peacebuilding, critical reflection, curriculum design, and language studies. The 9-day professional training will be held at Cambridge University, and the group will deepen their connections and gain crucial pedagogical tools they will later apply in their classroom.
EXCEL Derry is a new program that will welcome 16 Excel alumni. This program will offer the unique opportunity to discover and learn about the history of Northern Ireland. People-to-people reconciliation provides pivotal support and inspiration for efforts to move away from violent conflicts, towards peaceful partnership. The Northern Ireland case provides a powerful example for our group. During the intense 9-day training in Derry and meeting with local leaders and educators in Dublin and Belfast, EXCEL alumni will gain a new perspective on how grassroots work and education can provide a durable base for peacebuilding.
| June 24 is the day Christians celebrate St. John the Baptist. Fr. Nicholas and Dorothy Porter travelled to Mobile, Alabama to celebrate with local members of the Order of St. John. There, Fr. Nicholas preached and spoke about the vital role of health care in building Middle East peace. The events were organized by Dr. Charles Mosteller and Maxey Roberts. The Order is an important and active partner of JPB. | 4th Annual Interfaith Service Festival | In June, 22 religious leaders from the New Haven, CT area joined IWagePeace Director, Bruce Barrett (far left in above photo, standing) to plan the final details on the 4th Annual Interfaith Service Festival scheduled for Sunday, August 4 on the New Haven Green. The festival is a unique opportunity to meet JPB teens and serve alongside people of different faiths. The day includes numerous volunteer and learning opportunities, mural painting, food, live music, and much more! Sign up today at www.iwagepeace.org. | Meeting US University Students | JPBLD Jerusalem Director, Zak Adileh, met recently with 50 students from the Tulane and John Carroll Universities in Jerusalem. He briefed them on the current situation in Israel and Palestine and answered many questions. Zak will be directing the JPB Diplomacy Institute in Geneva, Switzerland this summer. | | | | | |
