Two evenings were dedicated to multi-cultural musical entertainment, featuring a well-known ensemble specializing in classical Arab music, and a duo that performed a beautiful program of original music based upon Biblical themes. Our Sukkat Shalom came to a close as we sang, shouted and then whispered “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu - Peace will still come to us.” There was a sense that these final, quiet notes took our prayers for peace directly to the heavens.
After the event, many Jewish and Arab Western Galilee residents stressed how important it is that we maintain and broaden the special atmosphere created by the Sukkat Shalom. Together with our Arab and Druze neighbors, we are developing ongoing programming frameworks to facilitate greater dialogue, cultural and social contact.
Our efforts have already had an impact upon the day-to-day relations between Jews and Arabs in our area, but we know there is much more work to be done. It is encouraging for us that despite the threat of terrorism and the lack of movement toward peaceful relations on the national level, we can still influence the atmosphere and make a change for the better in our own region. And we are proud that through our efforts, we as Masorti Jews in northern Israel are making
