If we can do it in Israel, we can do it anywhere. I truly believe it, and especially now during another stressful time of painful events in Israel, there is no doubt that our kids deserve a better future.

So here we are again, bringing groups of Jewish kids together with Arab kids to imagine and paint Peace with two artists, one Arab and one Jewish. Their ideas, dreams, hopes, and words will be illustrated on the wall of the Kedem housing block in the Ajami/Gabalia neighborhood in Jaffa. Workshops already took place, led by the artists Yoav and Salma, in 15 schools and after-school programs. The outcome is beautiful and is inspiring the design for the wall. The artists spoke about their pain, but eventually expressed their dreams and desire to live together in peace.

Our collaborators on this project include the Peres Center for Peace, the Arab-Hebrew Theatre of Jaffa,

The Council for a Beautiful Israel, Hamishlama Leyafo, Banot Lemaan Hashalom, and Vaad Mitham shem Hagdolim.

Special thanks to our photographers, Bezalel students Ira Schraberman, Avishai Gilad, and Rotem Rachel Chen, who answered a special request of their teacher Elinor Milchen to photograph the Peace Wall in progress. Also joining us were photographers Tamy Dahan from Shderot and Rona Mussaffi from Tel-Aviv.

They have been helping in every way possible to continue the process and bring this permanent Peace Wall about, for the kids who live there and their families. This wall will act as a constant reminder that they worked together on their dreams and they can take the next step and live together in peace.

I strongly believe that when kids create, they do not destroy. Therefore, we need to supply them with every opportunity to take a positive direction and actively get involved in shaping a better future for themselves. The power of art can and should be used all the time to make a difference.

Best,