Photos
Here is a selection of photos from the trip. I will be uploading the full Monty in a few days but it is more pictures than anybody will want to see, although you can go back to this same link and browse around to see them if you want to. Enjoy this selection.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mariacook55/IsraelPalestineBlogSelection?pli=1&gsessionid=p-i9alORkBaihIlUNOzO3g#
Please check out the Compassionate Listening website for upcoming workshops- there is a local one on Bainbridge in Jan and several offerings in Seattle. Sign up for their email newsletter. And look for an article on the delegation in the Bainbridge Island Review on Wed, Nov 19 2008
http://www.compassionatelistening.org
The work that the project does in the Middle East is meaningful and touches many lives. Our delegation was the 26th delegation, totally about 600 people that TCLP has brought to the Middle East. The people that we listened to were obviously moved and supported by our presence. TCLP together with participants also gave generous financial support to worthwhile projects including donating 3 computers. TCLP also does training work and has brought groups of Israelis and Palestinians together to learn compassionate listening skills in the context of peace work. Many of the people that we listened to had received training from the organization. These trainings ripple out into the culture and form a web of support for those who are working to move the conflict towards solution. Leah Green, founder and director, is a skilled facilitator and an excellent teacher. We benefited so much from her guidance and insight as well as from her co-leader Yael Petretti.. Its an enormous achievement to bring people to a conflict area and present a balanced perspective, to hold a mulitpartial view, and to give people from all along the political spectrum a sense of having been heard, acknowledged and cared about.
Thanks again for all the support,
Love,
Maria