24 | DECEMBER 21 • 2023 
J
N

OUR COMMUNITY

I

t’s no secret that war can breed 
divisiveness and anger, but 
several Israel-based organizations 
continue to promote peace and 
understanding amidst a crisis.
While these organizations have long 
strived to build relationships between 
Israeli and Palestinian communities, 
the effort has now become more 
important than ever during the 
ongoing Israel-Hamas war that has 
devastated families in 
both communities.
At a time of rising 
antisemitism and 
Islamophobia, Jewish 
Metro Detroiters like 
Brenda Rosenberg, 
who is actively 

involved in promoting peace amongst 
various religions, choose to support 
international efforts that foster 
connections between nations.
“There’s positive ways of looking 
at what people think is negative 
tension,” the Bloomfield Hills resident 
explains. “It’s really what can connect 
us as people.”
After all, Rosenberg continues, 
“You can’t build a bridge without 
points of tension.”
Still, Rosenberg says that Metro 
Detroiters often aren’t aware of Israel-
based or international organizations 
that support Israelis and Palestinians 
working together. Here are a few she’s 
involved with that she recommends 
the local community learn about.

PARENTS CIRCLE - 
FAMILIES FORUM
The Parents Circle-Families 
Forum (PCFF) is a joint Israeli-
Palestinian organization that 
consists of more than 600 
families, all of whom have lost 
an immediate family member 
to the ongoing conflict between 
Israelis and Palestinians. The 
goal is to create sustained peace 
between the two nations by 
promoting reconciliation and 
nonviolence.
There is also a U.S.-based 
branch of the organization, 
American Friends of the Parents 
Circle, that operates out of New 
York. This sector helps share 

These organizations continue to foster 
Israeli and Palestinian relations.

Promoting Peace 
in Time of War

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Parents 
Circle-Families 
Forum consists 
of Israeli and 
Palestinian 
families who 
have lost a family 
member to 
violence.

PARENT’S CIRCLE

PARENT’S CIRCLE

Brenda 
Rosenberg

