Haifa, Israel—Israel is a multi-cultural state with Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze. Each religious group usually has its own settlement in a community, apart from other religious groups. Among the several cities in Israel that have a mixed population is Haifa, located in Mount Carmel.
Although religious groups in Haifa do not live far from each other, they do not interact much. Wishing to break the unseen walls among the various groups, Mrs. Anat Perlman, an elementary school teacher in the city, initiated the "One Human Embroidery” program.
On January 15, 2016, approximately 200 students, teachers and parents gathered in a Jewish elementary school in Haifa for an interfaith panel discussion. Among the speakers were members of UPF’s Jerusalem Interfaith Forum and the Israeli chapter of Women's Federation for World Peace: Druze Sheikh Gaber Mansur; Mr. Ahmed Yihye Darawshe, a Muslim elementary school principal; Mrs. Carima Ktily, a leader of volunteers in the community; and Mrs. Idit Lev, a conservative Jewish rabbi.
As preparations for the event, the students learned about the different religions that would be represented on the panel. On that foundation—and with a hope for people to live together in peace—the students prepared questions for the panelists. While some of the questions they had were about the values of the religions and religious teachings on peace, others were about the tense situation in Israel.
Through the discussion, the audience could learn about the common values that all religions share: peace, compassion, loving and caring for the other, values that are discussed in the holy scriptures of all religions.
During a short break, students of the school entertained the audience with Darbuka drumming and dancing.