Rabbi's Blog

Although we didn't record their talk at Seaside, Sireen and Aliza provided this recording of another, fuller presentation that they gave on their travels in the US. 

In these painful days, as the war in Gaza winds on, as hostages are still being held in Gaza tunnels, and violence has spread to anti-Semitic attacks in the United States like the killing of a young couple at a Jewish event in Washington, DC, it's easy to be discouraged and disheartened. The thing that restores my hope is when I meet people who are still working tirelessly for peace and understanding in the Holy Land and around the world.

Seaside members recently got an infusion of hopefulness and inspiration from hearing Aliza Schoffman Land (daughter of Seaside members Jackie and Eric Land) and Sireen Smoom, talk about their work with Lissan, an Israeli organization that works for peace and coexistence by providing Hebrew language classes to Palestinian Arab women from Sireen’s community in East Jerusalem. They spoke at our Shabbat service in honor of peacemakers.

Their group isn't focused on politics or protests; it's focused on creating real relationships and opportunities. It started when some Palestinian women from East Jerusalem requested Hebrew classes so that they could better succeed socially and professionally. The program took off, and now some of the male family members are learning Hebrew, too, while some of the Israeli women are learning spoken Arabic. There are 3000 alumni and 600 current students.

It was so compelling to hear about their real life relationships, their persistence even in the face of conflict and war around them, and the number of organizations that are actively working for peace and coexistence in Jerusalem. 

Words are powerful, as we know. Words can hurt and words can heal. Words can also make connections and build relationships. By learning one another's language, we take down a barrier and build a bridge instead. 

To learn more and support their work, visit: Lissan.org