Peace. Love. Joy. Hope.
Dear Friends,
 
Peace.  Love.  Joy.  Hope. During this holiday season we reflect on how the flame of a small lamp and the birth of a helpless child reveal the power and intention of God's presence in the world.
 
But in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, many are struggling to find reasons to celebrate. Today, the cycle of fear, hatred and violence is worse than ever.  Furthermore, since our programs this summer, the world has changed. Syria's countless refugees and the recent string of terrorist attacks remind us that the conflicts plaguing the Middle East now affect everyone, everywhere.

Jerusalem Peacebuilders works to promote peace instead of violence, love not  hate, joy over fear, and hope in the midst of despair. In spite of recent events, we remain committed to advancing peace and reconciliation among Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land and beyond.
To this end, we have already begun organizing new programs in Jerusalem, New Haven, Houston and Brattleboro. With the help of our partners Kids4Peace and Camp Allen, these programs will bring together newly arrived refugees to practice interfaith citizenship, as well as empower adult and teenaged Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to become leaders and peace-builders.  

But we need you to stand with us.   Give the Gift of Peace this season  by  investing in the work of Jerusalem Peacebuilders.  Be the Love, share the Joy, send the Hope that reveals the power and intention of God, and you will change lives.
 
D onation cheques should be payable to "Camp Allen" and sent to Jerusalem Peacebuilders, 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 301, Houston, TX 77056.  Please designate "JPB" in the cheque memo-line.  Our operational partner, Camp Allen, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible (EIN 74-6016479 ).
 
Peace.  Love.  Joy.  Hope.  By your generosity this season, may you fill your home and homes in Jerusalem and beyond with these blessings.
 
Sincerely,

Nicholas and Dorothy Porter
Co-Founders, Jerusalem Peacebuilders
Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World
Jerusalem program enters second year
After a successful summer camp in the Golan Heights, our Jerusalem program launched year two of its after-school program in November. Filling voids left by others and adding value rather than competition, our program doubled in size, reaching record attendance! You made this possible. To meet rising demand , we have formed two cohorts: Exploration for 11-13 year olds, and Leadership for
Young leaders begin the hard work of peace
14-17 year olds. Throughout the ongoing violence, our programs will continue to meet. Youth and their parents will get to enjoy exciting field trips to churches, synagogues and mosques, knowledge and skill development workshops, powerful dialogue, and community dinners and social events. The 2015-2016 program year in Jerusalem is already bringing greater hope and resilience to families on both sides of the divide.  
Jerusalem Program Director, Ibrahim, delivering a message of hope to families
Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World
Program coordinator heading to Jerusalem in January
To further energize the Jerusalem program, JPB will be sending Asst. Camp Director, Jack Karn , to Jerusalem as its Program Coordinator from January-May. Karn will be tasked with developing and strengthening the after-school program through leading workshops, dialogue sessions, and field trips, in addition to his p rogram  support responsibilities. E ntering his third year with JPB, Karn possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in youth empowerment and leadership programs. His past work with high school youth programs at World Learning and in designing and leading JPB's programs in Vermont and Houston has positioned him in a pivotal role for building the Jerusalem program and preparing its promising participants for transformational camps in the US and Holy Land next summer. 

To support Jack's time in Jerusalem, d onation cheques should be payable to "Camp Allen" and sent to Jerusalem Peacebuilders, 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 301, Houston, TX 77056.  Please designate "JPB" in the cheque memo-line.  Our operational partner, Camp Allen, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible (EIN  74-6016479 ).
Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World
JPB's first middle school  peace education series
From September-November, in partnership with the Bement School of Deerfield, Massachusetts, JPB conducted a five-part peace education program on the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. The workshop series opened with the youth getting to know each other and practicing their intercultural com-munication skills before exploring the basics of  the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Fr. Nicholas explaining the dynamics of conflict
Next, the group learned about the important connections between food and peace-building through the direction of Dorothy Porter and indulged in her delicious Mid-East recipes.  The last two sessions turned towards East Asia, where participants looked closely at the history of the North-South Korean  conflict and entered into a conflict resolution simulation based on the Six-Party Talks (Japan, China, Russia, USA, North and South Korea). With each participant assuming the role of a member country, the group spent the final class negotiating on ways to create confidence-building measures and implement concrete steps towards a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Participants engaged in the Six-Party Talks simulation
Working on the Pillars of Conflict exercise


Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World
International Day of Peace interfaith service
On September 21, the International Day of Peace, JPB led members of Vermont's  interfaith community to host a special interfaith service. Prayers for peace were offered and funds raised for refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East via the International Rescue Committee. With eight different spiritual traditions participating, the service was filled with moving words, moments of silence, and beautiful music, leaving attendees filled with renewed hope and promise for a more peaceful world. 
Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World
Jerusalem's Compass Point of Peace
 
                              Arise, shine, for your light has come,
   and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
   deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise,
   and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light,
   and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open;
   by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord,
Violence will no more be heard in your land,
   ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation,
   and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day;
   by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light,
   and your God will be your glory.
 - Prophecy of Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19



Join us in the pioneering work of peace

Jerusalem Peacebuilders, Inc.
PO Box 2020
West Brattleboro, VT 05303 USA

Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World
Because the Future of Jerusalem is the Future of the World