NEWS DESK

SHINING A LIGHT AT THE END OF A LONG, DARK TUNNEL

NEWS DESK STORIES

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ARAB-JEWISH YOUTH ORCHESTRA JOINS US

SHANI CHOIR ON COURSE TO JOIN FESTIVAL

SUCCESSFUL PEACE FAIR IN KINGSTON, SURREY

JULIE CIGMAN & MARTIN SIMON JOIN US AS FRIENDS

RACING 4 PEACE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

BOOKS FOR PALESTINIAN CHILDREN IN LEBANON

THE 2011 10K RUN BEATS PREVIOUS RECORDS!

SHANI CHOIR INVITED TO PRESTIGIOUS THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL

THREE NEW TRUSTEES JOIN OUR BOARD

CHAIRMAN MEETS 16 PALESTINIAN TEACHERS

KARL JENKINS CBE & DAVID BADDIEL JOIN US AS FRIENDS

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW II: AFTAB AHMED, DIRECTOR, ROYAL ISLAMIC STRATEGIC STUDIES CENTRE IN JORDAN

SUPPORT OUR 2011 10K LONDON RUN

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW I: MAHMOUD JABARI, YOUTH AMBASSADOR

THE EGYPT EFFECT: MAHMOUD JABARI LOOKS AT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ISRAEL & PALESTINE

MOHAMMED LEHIA, GAZA DOCTOR TALKS TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

THE 2010-11 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS BURSARY AWARD UPDATE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW WITH HADAR SELA: AN ISRAELI MOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE

CHAIRMAN VISITS COLEBOURNE SCHOOL'S "PEACE WEEK" IN BIRMINGHAM, WRITES SAJIDA ASIF

DAUGHTERS FOR LIFE AFFILIATES TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

REVIEW: ROAD TO JERICHO - LARA MEPHAM

ANTONIA LESLIE & JESSICA WOOLLEY - OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP SECRETARIES

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS CHILDREN OF PEACE

CHILDREN OF PEACE WORKS WITH SHIRAA TO BRING HOPE TO WEST BANK CHILDREN

ISRAELI STAR LIEL KOLET PRESENTS OUR 2010-11 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS BURSARY AWARD

WE APPOINT KIDWELLS AS OUR LEGAL ADVISERS

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW - LABOUR FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

SHIREEN ANABTAWI & DANIELA NORRIS BECOME GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

THE PLIGHT OF THE BEDOUINS IN ISRAEL

JOIN OUR TWITTER & FACEBOOK GROUPS

NICK CLEGG - BRITISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS US

WE DONATE TO THE BETHLEHEM STAR CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION

MIFALOT, ISRAEL JOINS US AS AN AFFILIATE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: PEACE ACTIVIST BASSAM ARAMIN

BRITISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SUPPORT CHILDREN OF PEACE

CROSSING QALANDIYA WRITERS VISIT STEINER ACADEMY

KATHRYN PLAYA BECOMES A FRIEND

CHILDREN OF PEACE DONATES TO ISRAELI & PALESTINIAN AFFILIATES

TWO GIRLS TO RECEIVE OUR ABIR ARAMIN BURSARY

TWO LEADING PEACE GROUPS JOIN US AS AFFILIATES

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: PROFESSOR RAPHAEL WALDEN

PEACE CHILD ISRAEL BECOMES AN AFFILIATE

THE CHILDREN OF PEACE INTERVIEW: SAJIDA ASIF

NEW FRIENDS JOIN CHILDREN OF PEACE

WE HAVE MORE TO UNIFY US… writes Mahmoud Jabari

JOIN OUR TWITTER & FACEBOOK GROUPS

DAME JUDI DENCH JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE AS A PATRON

SAJIDA ASIF HOLDS EXHIBITION IN SUPPORT OF OUR CHARITY

10K LONDON RUN TAKES THE ROAD TO PEACE

STAND UP FOR PEACE REPEATS 2009 SUCCESS

PEACE PRE SCHOOL RECEIVES CHILDREN OF PEACE GRANT

MAHMOUD JABARI WRITES ABOUT HOPE & OF PEACE

CROSSING QALANDIYA WRITERS JOIN US AS FRIENDS

PEACE PRE SCHOOL RECEIVES CHILDREN OF PEACE GRANT

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: AGM JUNE 26th 2010

MAHMOUD JABARI WRITES ABOUT HOPE & OF PEACE

TWO NEW GROUPS JOIN US - THE STEERING CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY (BETHLEHEM) & BETHELEHEM STAR CHARITABLE SOCIETY

YASMIN LEVY - GOODWILL AMBASSADOR HOLDS INSPIRATIONAL WORKSHOP

WE APPOINT A FUNDRAISER

STEINER SCHOOLS JOIN US

CROSSING QALANDIYA - WRITERS DONATE TO US

OUR WINTER APPEAL 2009-10 SCHOOLS AID GIVING CHILDREN A CHANCE

Z OE HELLER & YOTAM SOLOMAN: NEW FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF PEACE

JOIN OUR GROWING FACEBOOK GROUP

SIR DEREK JACOBI BECOMES PATRON OF CHILDREN OF PEACE

SHIRAA ORGANISATION JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE

AFFILIATE FOCUS: THE JEZREEL VALLEY MUSIC CENTER

CORK STREET CONTEMPORARY ART OPEN PRIVATE VIEW IS GREAT SUCCESS

TRUSTEES AGREE MAJOR CHANGE FOR CHILDREN

LOOK OUT FOR OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

MUSICIANS FOR PEACE TEAM UP WITH US

CORK STREET OPEN EXHIBITION - ARTISTS SHOW UP FOR
CHILDREN OF PEACE

THREE GROUPS RECEIVE OUR SMALL INTERNATIONAL GRANT

ISLA BLAIR, SIMON CALLOW, JULIAN GLOVER AND JANINE MARTIN
JOIN AS FRIENDS

NEW AFFILIATE -
MAOF SCHOOL, ISRAEL

OUR 10K LONDON RUNNERS
EXCEED PERSONAL BEST

67 WEST BANK CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM THE 2008 WINTER APPEAL

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE -
A GREAT SUCCESS

UNIVERSITIES AND STUDENT GROUPS SUPPORT CHILDREN OF PEACE

PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR GIVES US
FULL SUPPORT AND JOINS AS FRIEND

MATT LUCAS, PHILIP GLENISTER & AMELIA QUINLAN - NEW FRIENDS

SAHAR SHALALLDA AND DEJITSU WASSI - RECEIVE THE ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS' EDUCATIONAL BURSARY

STAND UP FOR PEACE - A BRILLIANT EVENING - A FUNDRAISING TRIUMPH!

NEW AFFILIATE - THE PEACE PRE-SCHOOL AT THE YMCA, JERUSALEM

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE - JUNE 2009 - IS A SELL-OUT SUCCESS

10K LONDON RUN - SUPPORT OUR TEAM

CORK STREET - CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW TO RAISE FUNDS THIS AUGUST

THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES CHOOSES US FOR NEW WEBSITE

COUNTESS OF CHICHESTER, SHEIKH MANASRAH, MANAL TIMRAZ JOIN US

STAND UP FOR PEACE: A NIGHT OF COMEDY ON 23RD MAY

OUR 2009 ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS' BURSARY FOR ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN GIRLS

WESAL - GAZA SCHOOLS JOIN CHILDREN OF PEACE AS NEW AFFILIATE

AFFILIATE FOCUS: HAND IN HAND FOR ARAB-JEWISH EDUCATION

CORK STREET - CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW TO RAISE FUNDS THIS AUGUST

BRITISH ACTRESS SAMANTHA MORTON JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE AS A FRIEND

"ANGEL OF MOSTAR" SALLY BECKER BECOMES GOODWILL AMBASSADOR TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

KING’S ACADEMY, JORDAN TO BE KEY PARTNER OF CHILDREN OF PEACE

ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN RACING DRIVERS RACE FOR PEACE

HELPING THE CHILDREN - SAINT JOHN

OF JERUSALEM EYE HOSPITAL GROUP

AFFILIATE FOCUS – HANNAH WEITZER LOOKS AT THE WORK OF WINDOWS

CORINNE BAILEY RAE GIVES STRONG SUPPORT TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

JEWISH SIXTH FORMERS CHOOSE CHILDREN OF PEACE AS THEIR 2009 CHARITY

BORIS JOHNSON - THE MAYOR OF LONDON GIVES HIS SUPPORT FOR OUR WORK

CHILDREN OF PEACE SETS UP NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

AMERICAN DONORS CAN NOW GET TAX BREAKS IF YOU GIVE TO CHILDREN OF PEACE

2009 - THE UNITED NATIONS YEAR OF THE CHILD

GORDON BROWN SENDS PERSONAL MESSAGE OF SUPPORT

HELENA BONHAM CARTER
TIM BURTON
AND SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR
JOIN AS FRIENDS

GOODWILL AMBASSADORS MANSOOR & VALERIE IJAZ ON
WHY THEY ENDORSE OUR WORK

VICE-PRESIDENT
JOE BIDEN SUPPORTS
CHILDREN OF PEACE

DONATIONS TO FIVE REGIONAL PARTNERS

INTERNATIONAL STAR YASMIN LEVY BECOMES GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

THREE LEADING ACADEMICS
JOIN AS FRIENDS

TEAM CHILDREN OF PEACE TRIUMPH

GAZA AID SHIPMENT REACHES THE CHILDREN

AMERICAN SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN SUPPORTS US

HOUSE OF GRACE JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE

10K TEAM RAISES MONEY FOR CHILDREN OF PEACE

JEFF GOLDBLUM MEETS SIR DEREK JACOBI IN LONDON

BASSAM ARAMIN BECOMES CHILDREN OF PEACE GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

DOMINIC MARTIN BECOMES SPORTS COORDINATOR - MADELEINE McGIVERN OUR VOLUNTEERS COORDINATOR

JULIA SAWALHA JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE AS A FRIEND

MESSAGE FROM TONY BLAIR
March 2008

EMMA THOMPSON, GREG WISE, IMELDA STAUNTON AND JIM CARTER BECOME FRIENDS OF THE CHARITY March 2008

BRITISH ARTIST HOLDS CHARITY NIGHT March 2008

GAZA EMERGENCY APPEAL SENDS AID December 2007

HEREFORD FOOTBALL CLUB SUPPORT December 2007

STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN ATTEND THE FIRST LONDON EVENT November 2007

OUR GAZA FRIENDS CALL ON CHILDREN OF PEACE TO HELP October 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE SUPPORTS ONEVOICE DAY OF PEACE
October 2007

MIDDLE EAST DELEGATION REPORTS TO DISTINGUISHED GUESTS April 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE SOCCER TEAM WIN WORLD CUP! March 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE DELELGATION MEETS 13 ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN GROUPS March 2007

CHILDREN OF PEACE REMEMBERS ABIR ARAMIN January 2007

BIG LOTTERY FUND AWARDS FIRST INTERNATIONAL GRANT TO CHILDREN OF PEACE December 2006

CHILDREN OF PEACE ENJOYS A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH Nov. 2006

PATRON:
MADONNA
DAME JUDI DENCH

ROYAL PATRON:
HH THE BEGUM
AGA KHAN

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THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES

Supporting Good Causes Worldwide

WANGO, World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations

THE ARCHIVES

APRIL 2009...

COUNTESS OF CHICHESTER, SHEIKH GHASSAM MANASRAH, MANAL TIMRAZ JOIN AS FRIENDS

The Countess of Chichester, Sheikh Ghassam Manasrah and Manal Timraz have joined Children of Peace as Friends of the charity. All strongly support our multi-faith and non partisan position that aims to protect all children and their communities in Israel and Palestine, regardless of culture, faith, gender, heritage or values.

Lady June, the Countess of Chichester is a Trustee of the Royal Opera House, Vice Chairman of St John's, Smith Square, President of the Patron's Circle of the London Chamber Orchestra, a member of the advisory committee and Patron of the Zoological Society of London, Chairman of the Salisbury Cathedral Girl Choristers, Vice President of the Enham Trust, President of the Save the Children, Salisbury, President of the Wilton Riding for the Disabled and Vice President of the Salisbury Cathedral School Association.

Sheikh Manasrah is a writer, an expert in Sufi dream interpretation and a scholar of Islamic writers, especially the works of Rumi and Ibn Arabi.

Ghassan is deeply engaged in peace-work and interfaith dialogue. He speaks from the depth of his own experience and journey. He lectures internationally aiding audiences to develop their own peace-building skills as well as provide 'on the ground' knowledge and background about the situation in Israel and Palestine.

Manal Timraz is the Palestinian owner of the famed Middle Eastern restaurant Habibi, in Coventry, UK.

Manal spearheaded the Candles for Peace Campaign following the recent tragic conflict in Gaza. She lost 15 relatives in the conflict, who were killed by a single bomb in Gaza last January. Eleven of the dead were children - nieces and nephews of Timraz , all aged under 12.

Manal has said that she "does not want her own children to grow up to hate anyone."

This February 2009, she launched a national campaign with the support of her Jewish neighbour Barbara Payman, to send aid to Gazan civilians and then she spearheaded a remarkable campaign to highlight the suffering of all people in the region: One Million Candles for Peace.

Supported by Qatar Airways, she travelled to the region with one million candles which were to be lit across Gaza in as a message of peace for all.

Chairman and Founder of Children of Peace, Richard Martin, says:

" We are proud that these three remarkable people have honoured us with their support. We know that they share our hope for a just, secure and sustainable peace for all in the region."

See the BBC News story and video.

STAND UP FOR PEACE!

Simon Munnery

You can help us to help the children caught up in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict by coming along to Children of Peace's truly special evening of stand-up comedy at the Cockpit Theatre in London on Saturday, May 23rd.

All the money raised goes towards schemes that specifically bring Palestinian and Israeli kids together, in the hope that they will build friendships that will put an end to conflict in the future.

The illustrious line-up so far includes...

Simon Munnery - surrealist legend
Pippa Evans - If.comedy award nominee
Paul Foot - BBC New Comedy Award winner and
Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award winner - www.paulfoot.tv
Dan Skinner - member of double act Mr Winchester and Tommy, ‘Perrier Award’ nominated sketch group Dutch Elm Conservatoire and winner of ‘Scotland on Sunday’ award for ‘Best Comedy Show’
The Aspidistras - dark and delirious character comedians Maria Hodson and Gerardine Coyne
Rich Morris - currently warm-up act for Ricky Gervais
and our consummate compère for the evening.

And we have more great comics still to be confirmed, so stay tuned!

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday, May 23rd

Time: 18:30 to 22:30

Venue: Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street (Off Church Street), London NW8 8EH See a map.

Cost: £15 per ticket

BOOKING

To book your tickets - just £15 (don't delay, there's only 180 seats), simply visit www.justgiving.com/standupforpeace.

Important note: Unfortunately, because this is a ticketed event, we cannot claim gift aid on the ticket revenue, so when you are asked: "Are you donating in return for a ticket to an event/raffle/auction?", you must answer "Yes".

There are no printed tickets, your name will be added to the reservation list and checked off at the door on the night - so ensure that you leave your full name in the 'Display Name' box. If you are buying more than one ticket, we will put "plus one/two", etc, by your name on the reservation list.

There are only 180 tickets, so reserve yours today to avoid disappointment!

If you have any questions about the night,

please email dgamartin@childrenofpeace.org.uk.

IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND...

If for any reason you can't make it to Stand Up for Peace, but you'd still like to donate money to Children of Peace, then please go to
http://www.justgiving.com/childrenofpeace/donate.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

THE 2009 CHILDREN OF PEACE

ABIR ARAMIN GIRLS' BURSARY AWARD

The Board of Trustees of Children of Peace are proud to announce that they have selected two worthy recipients of the Annual Abir Aramin Girls' Bursary for 2009.

Each year Children of Peace selects one Israeli girl and one Palestinian girl to receive the Bursary, to assist them in their educational studies by assisting the family or by purchasing much needed equipment or resources such as a personal computer, books, sports equipment or study material.

This year's recipients are a Palestinian girl Sahar Abed Hamed Shalaldeh from Hebron and an Israeli girl Dejitnu Wassie from Sderot.

The Bursary is in loving memory of ten year old Abir Aramin, the daughter of Children of Peace Palestinian Goodwill Ambassador Bassam Aramin. Abir died tragically in January 2007, during a school break in East Jerusalem when she was caught up in a fire-fight between members of the IDF and Palestinian youth.

Children of Peace will honour her memory annually through this award. Her father Bassam will present the Bursary to each girl in the coming weeks and we will provide more details in our next News Room update.

NEW GAZAN AFFILIATE TO WORK

WITH CHILDREN OF PEACE

Ammar Elquidra, the Director of Wesal in the Gaza talks about their work with children.

"The Health and Society Development Foundation WESAL is a voluntary, non profit, non political organization. We were first established in 2004 and we strive to strengthen and empower the Palestinians (especially mothers and children) by promoting the development of a civil society and advocating educational, health, economic and social change.

WESAL has three principal intertwined areas of focus: advocacy, emergency aid and social-economic community development projects.

BUILDING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

We developed WESAL in response to the desperate humanitarian crisis which has devastated the Palestinian people and the urgent need for emergency aid and socio-economic community development projects. We wanted to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive response to the protection issues of children affected by conflict and stand for the rights and the position of Palestinian children and the necessity of empowering and developing the society. Through a process of healing and nurturing the people, we hope this will have a powerful effect on the attitudes and actions of all people, who are caught in a spiral of hurt, anger and retribution.

HELPING OUR CHILDREN

It is important to increase public awareness of the issues affect the Palestinian children, particularly the psycho-social needs of children seriously affected by conflict and offer psycho-social counselling and services support for children and mothers. We need to create an environment, which encourages Palestinian to work together for positive social change.

Part of our remit is to provide support, relief and assistance to the most underprivileged population groups, particularly in the refugees in camps and the children and youth growing up in them.

We urgently need aid for socio-economic development in all fields, in co-operation with the local and international organisations, especially in the fields of food production, health care and education.

RAISING AWARENESS

By raising funds to engage in charitable activities - in order to support the urgent needs of Palestinians, we hope to collect data, statistics and information about the reality of Palestinian life in the occupied territories, to be available as a reference for those international organizations that are active in this field.

OUR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

WESAL works with Gazan children in a number of ways. Our kindergarten in Khanyouns city cares for 120 children. We also run a kindergarten in the eastern area of Khanyounis with about 80 children. In addition, our Psychological Consulting centre offers consultation services to mothers and children and we organise training and public awareness activities through workshops and meetings on behalf the local community.

“We are absolutely delighted to forge close links with Children of Peace. Palestinians deeply admire the charity’s commitment to protecting children and the work you carry out for peace. We are proud to be associated with your important work."

AFFILIATE FOCUS:

HAND IN HAND FOR ARAB JEWISH EDUCATION

Jewish and Arab children at a Hand in Hand school

Our new series, Affiliate Focus - takes a look at the work of this remarkable Israeli group of schools. Founded by Israeli Palestinian, Amin Khalaf, Hand in Hand reaches out to all communities in Israel in the hope of building warmth and friendship for all. It is Amin Khalaf's profound vision that through education and a shared experience, Israeli Jews and Israeli Palestinians can show the world the way to a future of peace, understanding and tolerance. We salute his work.

“The largest gap in Israeli society is between Jewish and Arab citizens. In 1997, the Hand in Hand Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel was established to provide integrated education founded on bilingualism and multiculturalism.

Children of all faiths learn about the Jewish Festival of Succoth

Hand in Hand has founded four schools in Jerusalem, the Galilee, Wadi Ara, and Beersheva-serving 901 pupils. The schools teach equality and mutual respect, balancing two cultures and languages by providing Palestinian Arab and Jewish co-principals and classes which are co-taught by teachers speaking their native languages. The students, comprised of equal numbers from both communities, learn each other's historical narratives, celebrate Muslim, Christian and Jewish holidays, and become (in a stunning break with mainstream society) friends.

It is not just the students who learn how to live together. The teachers and the parents also become friends and our community events also help to spread our values.

The Ministry of Education provides funding for only one teacher, although two are necessary. Teachers need training in co-teaching methodology, curriculum, and effectively relating to two cultures. While parents pay tuition, Hand in Hand must raise the rest, including scholarships, community projects, curriculum development and high-school expansion. Parents and municipalities around the country have also called on us to expand to their cities. We need partners who will support the most important attempt to change and strengthen civil society and build a partnership between Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel today.

Musical interlude

Like Children of Peace, Hand in Hand believes children are the key in creating hope today and building peace tomorrow. In these difficult times, we are still proud of the model we are developing and how we are influencing the larger society. With the continued support of Children of Peace, foreign governments, foundations and individuals, we hope to prove that Jews and Arabs can, and want to live and learn together, building a new generation striving for co-existence and peace.”

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

THE CORK STREET OPEN EXHIBITION

PRIVATE VIEW

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: August 5th 2009

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EXCITING EVENT!

During 2009, the Children of Peace Events Committee has planned a series of exciting events in the UK aimed at raising awareness of our work and helping to raise funds for the charity.

These include our Annual London Run in July, a performance of the All the World's a Stage at the Ludlow Festival, Shropshire on June 20th 2009, our Stand Up for Peace comedy night on 23rd May, Professor Sarah Brown's Israeli and Palestinian poetry reading at Anglia University and the Cork Street Open Exhibition which kicks off with a Private View on 5th August 2009.

ARTISTS can submit work to the selection panel of the Cork Street Open Exhibition and a percentage of sales will go to Children of Peace. The work is of an extraordinarily high standard and includes paintings, photography and sculpture at one of London's most prestigious art venues.

SUPPORTERS and ART LOVERS can attend the glittering, chic Private View on 5th August alongside many of our supporters, including notable public figures. You can apply for tickets - £35 for couples and £20 for single applicants - by going direct to the organiser's site:

www.corkstreetopenexhibition.com/section161102.html

Please SUPPORT this great Event and if you are unable to attend, don't forget you can still donate to Children of Peace through our safe and secure Pay Pal Account found on this site on the DONATE PAGE.

LOOK OUT IN THE COMING WEEKS FOR CHILDREN OF PEACE EVENTS THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT!