"I was profoundly moved" - an American visitor writes

Nelson Heller, Founder of EdNET conferences and HellerReports, his wife Pamela and members of the Block family visited in early December. Dr. Heller wrote the following about their visit:

I was profoundly moved by the visit. As we in the US see the situation in the Middle East and Israel mainly through the lens of media reports, the personal side is often lost in the glare of political issues. As you so movingly explained, at base we share a common humanity, regardless of race or religion, and the words “Arab-Israeli conflict” mask the reality that caring, feeling people are involved on both sides. The courage displayed by you and the others at Neve Shalom, in the face of discrimination, oppositional legal and political systems, and misguided zealots, represents a personal commitment and strength we are deeply touched by and admire. Listening to you explain Neve Shalom’s many educational outreach programs, I understand that you realize sympathy from folks like us will hardly move the needle. With your brave community you’ve created more than an elementary school where your Jewish, Arab and Christian kids can grow and learn together, and a place where families can live together, but a platform for research in group conflict resolution and sorely needed education initiatives for high schoolers, adults and decision makers worldwide.

It can’t be easy, what you’re doing. You remind us what living for a higher purpose is about and we are grateful that your work continues. I hope, in future, in our own small way way, we can help.

In the photo: members of the Block family, with Rita Boulos, director of the Visitor Center.