Monday, March 23, 2009

Conflict transformation

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For full impact click on the photo and read the writing on the wall.

It's a good thing that the inscription on this building is safely hidden behind a tall stone wall, a sliding metal gate, and a security guard. An ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood is just a block away.

What the historical building plaque posted outside the wall says is rather tame and lackluster in comparison, pointedly.

The English Mission Hospital was completed in 1897 and the doctors served all the different peoples of Jerusalem. The rabbis were dead-set against any Jew entering the doors of a Christian hospital.

But since the early 1960s the Anglican International School Jerusalem is housed here.
The school cat who came right over for a cuddle shows just how friendly the atmosphere is.
The place is old and beautiful. For their 100th anniversary the stones were cleaned with sandblasting.

The school has grades K-12, all taught in English. The student body is made up of 20-25% Palestinians, a handful of Jews, and the rest from the consular corps.

Speaking of foreign diplomatic families . . . this is especially for blog-buddy Catherine Mark-Beasant who writes about her years at the Anglican School decades ago in this interesting and touching post.
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The sundial quotes the Song of Songs in the Bible: "Until the day break and the shadows flee away."
And some shadows did flee away during the ten weeks I participated in a weekly Slim Peace group in this classroom behind the arch. All women. A few Arabs, a few Jews, a nun, a nutritionist, a facilitator, and a film-maker. Ostensibly coming together to discuss better nutrition and healthier living, but much more than that.
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What's your world like? You too can share it every Monday night with the bloggers at That's My World , or just come for a visit. Shalom!
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16 comments:

  1. Interesting and lovely post as always! Beautiful photos! Thanks, I always enjoy your blog.

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  2. What an interesting posting of a lovely looking place.Can anybody go and see the place? I love that kitty picture of yours, so cute!!
    And your Slim Peace group sounds interesting;wish I could participate too!

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  3. The cat is such a show stealer! Gorgeous! And an interesting bit of social history too.

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  4. Hi Sylvia, hi J. Thanks. Yes, Jerusalem is full of interesting stories and places, enough daily blogger fodder for a hundred years.

    Yaelian shalom. I'm sure you could get into the Anglican School if you wave nicely to the guard behind the sliding gate on Haneviim Street. Make sure to pet the cat if you see it. :)
    Slim Peace groups start several times a year in several places around Israel. You could get on the mailing list.

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  5. Dina. Oh - what wonderful memories! We had some special years at the Anglican School. Thanks for the post and the link!

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  6. Such a fascinating rich historical world yet still full of living history. Peace, faiths and conflict side by side.Extraordinary world.

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  7. In stones there is the history of the world, a history that you know to tell very well.

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  8. It's a beautiful place. I don't know exactly what to say here so perhaps it's best that I remain silent.

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  9. That's quite an interesting story, Dina. So many things I don't think second about here I would think over several times there. Thanks for this insight.

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  10. Enjoyed the vicarious visit, being part of a workshop of women in a beautiful historic building. Been there, done that, must do it again.

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  11. what a pretty restful looking place!

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  12. I can understand that people get irritated by the first photo. But the photos are all very beautiful. Thank you!

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  13. Nothing like being blatant! Beautiful building, but the cat is the winner for me!

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  14. A very informative post, Dina.
    Nice the building and the place, I like the cat too. Fantastic the sundial: I'm collecting sundials (in photos taken by myself, of course)!

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  15. enjoyed the post of the school's history and the most lovely photographs. and of course the kitty ^..^

    how are you enjoying your family's visit?

    have a wonderful evening.

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