I have arrived for my first time at the  Ben Gurion A irport , after a long journey by car, train, and plane.  As a newcomer, artist, and lover of nature, I am drawn to the muted colors and endless rolling hills that comprise the landscape between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  The dusty red earth is speckled with endless white rocks; some form terraced walls and others lay half buried beneath the earth's surface.   The hills are dotted with sage colored olive trees and short spindly brush creating some of the only shade the landscape would see until sunset. Countryside views always have a calming effect on me - something I needed as we entered the busy and somewhat chaotic atmosphere that is always Jerusalem. In my lap is a notebook with my list of to do's. There are so many alumni to catch up with, partners to strengthen relationships with and programs to plan over my next eight months. I can't wait to share my journey you with you as my time progresses. Above is a picture of the sun setting just outside Jerusalem. I am sending you warmth and light on your own journey of peacebuilding. See you in next month's newsletter.

Based out of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, which has generously donated an office to JPB, Jack is actively initiating relationships and programming at local faith communities and institutions such as the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism,  St. John the Divine, St. John's School, Emery/Weiner School,  Rice University and the   Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance.  With the help of Palmer's Curate, The Rev. David Wantland, JPB is leading adult education programming around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and pilgrimage to the Holy Land along with supporting the development of Palmer's youth programs.

Hello, my name is Yasmeen Fadila. I am 18 years old and I am an alum of last summer's JPB Leadership Institute held in Brattleboro, Vermont.

 

In the program, we learned about conflict resolution, how to be a leader, and how to address and resolve personal and world conflicts.  Most importantly, we learned the importance of learning about and working with each other.  In JPB I learned so much; I gained new knowledge and skills about being a peacebuilder and leader.

 

Being a summer participant in JPB encouraged me to join a mission trip to help refugees in Europe just two weeks after I came back from the USA.   I traveled to Athens, Greece as the youngest volunteer. I helped hundreds of refugees by making them care packages that consisted of food, toiletries, clothes and shoes, and toys.