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