ICSD co-organized, in partnership with Jerusalem Peacemakers, an interfaith break fast with over 100 Muslims, Jews, and Christians. The event was part of a broader initiative that included 32 interfaith break fast events around the world. It coincided with a joint Muslim-Jewish fasting day on the 17th day of the Jewish month of Tammuz and the 18th day of the Muslim fast of Ramadan. Click here to read our blog post on it. The event received news coverage in eight news outlets.

Just a few days later, women from East and West Jerusalem were invited to the home of one of our Women's Faith & Ecology Project members for an Iftar meal (the break fast dinner of Ramadan). Over thirty strangers became friends over grape leaves, maklubeh (a traditional Arab dish), and delicious sweets. See photos on Facebook here, or our blog report here about the project. The group plans to continue its monthly meeting with a hike and learning session next month.

In a different event, ICSD staff and interns– three Jews, a Muslim and a Buddhist– participated in the “Rally against Violence and Racism” in Jerusalem. Click here to read the blog post about it.

Our team has swelled in the summertime heat - four new interns joined us from the United States with eclectic expertise in videography, fundraising, social media and outreach. We welcomed two new staff members as well - a new marketing coordinator for our Eco Tours and a project coordinator for our Women's Faith and Ecology Project.

We are very grateful for their contributions given the rising tension felt throughout the Holy Land, which has caused us to accelerate our efforts in bridge-building. In times of peace and in times of war, we continue to walk together in the light of our common humanity and our common cause for stewardship of our shared land and planet. Thank you for continuing with us on this path.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Yonatan Neril
Founder and Executive Director