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We wish to tell all the friends of the Beresheet LaShalom
Foundation about our vernal equinox and spring
activities. More and more young people are taking part in the activities
of the foundation. The Arcobaleno Troupe meets every Monday between 6 and 8 p.m.
for a theatre workshop, and on Tuesdays from 3 to 8 p.m., to prepare and record
two broadcasts of the radio program, “Shalom to you Salaam”. On Thursdays from 4
to 6 p.m. the children of the soccer team, “United Colours of Galilee”, meet for
practice. The participants in the project “Beresheet Volunteers”, volunteers in
the pre-army year’s program and in the volunteer program in the Beresheet
LaShalom community, will begin their annual activity during the summer. They are
at present in the stage of consolidation as a group and of preparation for the
coming year: 12 young men and women, Jewish and Arab, who will live at the Mount
Meiron Field School and carry out activities in the communities of the Galilee.
In addition, a group of young people with special needs is active in “Telem”,
and another group is preparing a special performance for the end of the school
year at the Wilkomitz school in Rosh Pinna.
March 2008
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The Beresheet LaShalom Foundation was accepted as a recognized
foundation eligible for support and assistance from the “Shatil”
organization. This after a precise and thorough investigation to determine
whether the foundation’s activities truly meet the criteria of “Shatil” and
the New Israel Fund.
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On March 7 the The Theatrical Group of Tellem
(composed of disabled people), under the direction of Edna Calò
Livné, presented a charming performance written by the participants
themselves, “The Sad Princess”. The performance took place at the Me’ona
Theatre, accompanied by the great excitement of the performers and their
families. The event was a great success and was acclaimed by all those
present. It inspired an atmosphere of joy and great hope concerning the
abilities of the performers.
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On March 13, presentation by Edna of Eran Kolirin’s film “The Band” at
the Cinema Anteo in Milan, Italy.
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The Beresheet LaShalom Foundation has received three theatre
scholarships from the Theatre of Roberto Malhab, director of the Italian
site “Concert of Dreams”, and from Mimi Navarro, president of the
Italy-Israel Friendship Organization. Recipients of the awards are Shachar
Koren, Saeed Sarah and Gefen Perez, who have distinguished themselves in the
theatre's activities and in the production of the radio program “Shalom to
you Salaam”.
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Two new internet sites have been created:
www.radioshalomsalaam.org, where
recorded broadcasts of the radio program can be heard; and
www.unitedcoloursofgalilee.org,
dedicated to the activities of the
Beresheet LaShalom Soccer Team project United Colours of Galilee, now
in its third year. |
April 2008
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On July 4 there was an evening of performances for the parents of the
Arcobaleno troupe. The performers prepared for their parents and friends a
number of improvisational sketches, inspired by a fascinating session with
Ilan Horowitz, father of Guy (one of the performers), on moral dilemmas in
the Israeli legal system.
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A meeting with Nir Sarig from the Office of the Prime Minister on the
subject of civilian national service. Presentation of the project “Shanat
Hitnadvut MiBeresheet” – “A Year of Volunteering from the Beginning” – for
Jewish and Arab volunteers in the Galilee. A strong bond was created and a
beginning of close cooperation was made to assist in making the idea of
volunteering real and actual.
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Visit of Dr. Giovanna Anselmi, project director of the Italian
organization ENEA, to launch the Ecological Center for Peace, at the Mount
Meron Field School.
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A promising contact with Keren Spaner of Vancouver, who is acting to
bring the Arcobaleno theatre troupe to perform in Canada.
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Contact with Natalya Indrimi of the Primo Levi Center in New York, also
acting to bring the Arcobaleno theatre troupe to perform in the United
States.
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Meeting of the persons involved in the creation of the Ecological Center
for Peace: Dr. Giovanna Anselmi of ENEA; Gali Katz and Yuval Sela of Tzivon
– e-learning and Smart House; Zehava Dror from the ecological committee of
the Upper Galilee Regional Council; Hawaz Hossein, director of the education
department in the Druze village of Hurfeish; Daniel Zelenko, director of the
Mount Meron Field School; Belinda Hollander,
development and co-ordination of multi-media projects of
Beresheet LaShalom; and Shlomo Levi, head of the Merom Hgalil Regional
Council.
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Meeting between volunteers in the pre-army year’s program and students
of the Arab school Sheikh Danoun to coordinate the pre-army year’s program
and cooperative volunteering. |
May 2008
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May 5 – performance of “Beresheet” – “In the Beginning” – in the
courtyard of Tel Hai, before120 visitors to the Galilee from the Jewish
Community of San Francisco, California.
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Meeting in Me’ilya with the principal of the high school, to coordinate
the volunteer projects of Beresheet LaShalom.
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May 7 to 13 – tour of the Arcobaleno theatre troupe: presentation of the
book "Diary from the Galilee, only in peace everyone wins" at the
International Book Fair
of Turin; two performances of “Beresheet” in Lodi, organized
by Carlotta Morgana together with Andrea Ferrari of the Lodi municipality; a
performance in Cinisello Balsamo, organized by Mimi Navarro of the
Italy-Israel Friendship Organization; live television interview,
"Quelli del Calcio", "Farenheit" radio interviews and articles in
Italian newspapers, including Corriere della Sera, Il Giorno, and La Stampa,Informazione
Corretta. In Turin, meetings in
schools and workshops at the Fair. Warm reception at the Torino
Jewish School and in the homes of friends of Israel and Beresheet LaShalom.
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May 14-15 – participation in the President’s Conference in Jerusalem,
marking Israel’s 60th anniversary.
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May 17 – live radio interview with the Italian Radio in Australia on the
program Lo Scandaglio of Umberto Martinengo about 60th Anniversary of
the State of Israel.
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May 23 to 28 – tour to Bergamo with 10 graduates of the theatre troupe,
to receive the
Takunda Prize of CESVI awarded to Beresheet LaShalom for the best foreign
project for education towards peace (www.takunda.org). Reception in the home
of Marina Salomon, a dear friend and active supporter of the Beresheet
LaShalom foundation; performances of “Beresheet” in Bergamo at the Teatro Qohelet
and the Donizetti Theatre, one of the largest and most renowned in Italy.
The troupe enjoyed the hospitality of the Convent Hospice, Piccole serve
del Sacro cuore di Gesu' where Sr.M.Caterina and sisters reserved a
marvellous and memorable reception for them.
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May 29 – gathering and lecture at Kibbutz Beit Nir,
organized by Daniela Donati,
on the activities of Beresheet LaShalom, enriched by stories, anecdotes and
tapes. Dani Trainin, head of the regional council, was also present. The crowd displayed great interest and emotion toward the stories and
the hope inspired by the vision of Beresheet LaShalom. The Arcobaleno troupe
has been invited to appear.
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June 3, 2008
To Edna many hearty greetings
Your group’s stories are true, moving, and important for those
engaged in the work, and for all of us. Not less, in my eyes
yours is a sacred work. It is a human encounter and particularly
difficult since our propaganda is weak and ineffective in the
world.
During all the time you were present I was moved to tears.
You and all your young partners gave me a chance to go on
believing that there are also beautiful people, that human
values are important to them, and that there is meaning in our
society.
I enjoyed your sense of humour (it reminded me of your brother
Franco). I felt that you were capable of continuing until the
dawn; therefore I hope for another fascinating encounter,
because we need people like you who give significance to life.
Express my appreciation to all your colleagues from the smallest
to the biggest, including your wonderful family, without whose
support it would all be harder.
We need people like you to distinguish good from bad.
With great appreciation, a brave embrace and love
to you and all your family,
Yael Levi, Beit Nir |
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This is a special opportunity to say thank you with all
our hearts, to all those who welcomed us with affection, hosting, nurturing and
supporting us in every area of our work with the many on-going projects of
Beresheet LaShalom. To our friends in Israel and throughout the world who do so
much from the heart to assist, may you be blessed. Keep up the fine work!
A huge appreciative hug from us all in great friendship,
Edna and Yehuda Calò Livné
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