The Spiritual Center hosts leaders of three religions

This series is the flagship project of the Center, and the staff and participants were pleased to hold the two-day event in person. The leaders stayed in the village hotel. The program was conducted in collaboration with Rabbis for Human Rights.

A Ramadan sundown meal

At the end of April, the Spiritual Center hosted the members of the community for a iftar meal during the holy month of Ramadan. Following the meal, the women, men and children of the village joined in a drumming circle.

A book launch

May 5, we celebrated the launch of a book published by a member of the village, Prof. Michael Karayanni. "A Multicultural Entrapment: Religion and State Among the Palestinian-Arabs in Israel" (Cambridge University Press, 2021). Dr. Karayanni was there, and the panel discussion included Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hartmann and Adv. Shirin Batshon. The hall was filled with village members who came to honor Karayanni.

Film on Dani Karavan

“Dani Karavan,”, Barak Heymann’s biographical film about the internationally acclaimed Israeli sculptor, was shown in a special screening on June 6. The film was made shortly before Karavan passed away, in May. Karavan was a friend of Wahat al-Salam Neve Shalom.

Discussion on Palestinian life under the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law

On July 18, the Spiritual Center hosted a discussion on Palestinian life in Israel under the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law of 2003. The speakers included village member Adi Lustigman, an attorney who deals with issues of immigration, residency permits and status; Knesset member Osama Saadi; Sumaya Abu Zer, an activist for women’s rights in Lod with a personal story to tell; and Asmahan Jabali of the forum of families harmed by the citizenship law. Hosting the evening was human rights lawyer Neta Omer-Schiff.