by Anael Harpaz, Director, Middle East Program, Israel

In December, 30 former campers and Creativity for Peace’s Middle East staff gathered at the St. Gabriel Hotel overlooking the city of Nazareth to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, and the Festival of Sacrifice. The weekend included peace games, viewing of a documentary made about Creativity for Peace in the summer of 2005 followed by an emotional discussion.

The groups were split into three, by religion, and each presented a play about their holy day, using scarves, hats, drawings, and much laughter. Raz, a 2005 camper, taught the group a song she wrote, “Together Hand in Hand” and Feiruz taught two songs she learned in South Africa. The evening ended with Anael, in a Santa suit, handing out red socks filled with candy. On the final day, the girls visited the city’s holy sites.

“Thank you, each and every one of our supporters, who make our dream of peace more of a reality,” says Middle East Director Anael Harpaz. “Without your help we could not do this work.”

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