The Jewish Federation of Louisville is bringing a group of Arab and Jewish women from Israel to Louisville to share their ongoing discussions about co-existence to Louisville on Wednesday, September 28. They will present a panel discussion, Women Creating a Dialogue – Breaking Down Barriers, at The Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. Sixth St., from 10-11:30 a.m. and will participate in dinner and conversation at The Temple, 5101 U.S. 42 from 6-8:30 p.m.
There is no charge for either event, but please RSVP to Jewish Community Relations Council Director Matt Goldberg, mgoldberg@jewishlouisville.org or 502-238-2707.
This group of women from Israel’s Western Galilee region, located on Israel’s northern Mediterranean Sea coast at the border with Lebanon, get together once a month over a meal where they learn about each other’s cultures, and over the years, they have become friends. Today, these women are living examples of shattering barriers and stereotypes while strengthening the bonds among them. In Louisville, they will talk about why it is important to talk and, more importantly, to listen. Co-existence should be a fundamental goal of all people.
The women are coming to dispel some myths about Arab-Israel relations and show that cooperation and acceptance exist there. They range in age from their 20’s to their 50’s and most of them are married with children. They are teachers, social workers, business people and entrepreneurs. Several of them work as mentors for Youth Futures, a Jewish Agency program for at-risk children.
All of them believe that Jews and Arabs can work together in Israel to build a better future for all.
While in Louiville, the delegation will also visit Louisville Beit Sefer Yachad, The Temple Hebrew School, St. Francis of Assisi and several high schools, including Assumption and Manual.
Louisville has been part of Partnership2Gether since its inception in 1997. Members of the Central Area Consortium that is partnered with Israel’s Western Galilee Region are Des Moines, IA; Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis and South Bend, IN; Northwest Indiana; Louisville; Buffalo, NY; Dayton, Toledo and Youngstown, OH; and Austin and Ft. Worth, TX.
In the Western Galilee, the Partnership includes the city of Akko, the Matte Asher region of kibbutzim and towns, and the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. The Partnership also includes Budapest, Hungary.
For more information about Partnership2Gether and the individual opportunities available to you, contact Matt Goldberg.
