Dear  

a blessing connected to the Jewish calendar, for all our sisters

What we wish for our own, we wish for each of you

a good new year, a new kind of year, with a peace stitched from difficult compromises made in recognition of terrible pain yet possible because of our bonds as women

a good new year, a new kind of year, when our notion of security expands to include regional prosperity on one end and safety in our homes and communities on the other

a good new year, a new kind of year, when we face forward with fierce spirits and open hearts to carry us beyond shaming, blaming, and brokenness toward a viable future together

365 days of war and more

Sometimes we are asked how, as a peace movement, we can possibly carry on in the midst of an expanding war that grinds on and on. How could we not? This past year, if measured from the end of last year’s Jewish Fall holidays - their culmination, Simchat Torah, fell on Oct. 7th in the civil calendar - to this year’s Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShanah - we have been as busy as ever. Highlights include:

- sowing seeds for a larger regional gathering with an event for Israeli and Palestinian women in Jerusalem and at the Dead Sea on Oct. 4, 2023

- continuing to work tirelessly with our sister Palestinian movement, Women of the Sun. This includes a major project, Building Bridges, to train women who are already proven religious and environmental leaders to adopt strategies of peace activism

- supporting, speaking out, and showing up daily for families of hostages in numerous settings

- cultivating both broader and deeper relationships with the international diplomatic corps stationed in Israel

- developing support groups abroad in various countries, who use their local networks to publicize The Mothers' Call and other activities of WWP and WOS

- hosting grassroots events to build trust across communities of women and to navigate between pain and hope, learning to dance the delicate dance between the need to hold on and to let go

- hosting broadcasts whose interviews lead us to deeper understanding of all that’s at stake in our region

- co-hosting/participating in a variety of formal learning opportunities, both academic and peer-to-peer, from university halls to living rooms

- speaking at conferences from New York (the Clinton Global Initiative) to a fashionable resort town in Slovenia (the Bled Strategic Forum International Conference) to amplify our Israeli movement’s unbreakable bond with our Palestinian counterparts Women of the Sun

- using the acceptance of international awards as a platform for our message: peace in our region is still possible when women unite to privilege a viable future for their children and generations to come over all past narratives

Broad International Recognition

WWP and WOS have gained broader international recognition during the past several months.

Dr. Yael Admi, a founder of WWP, and Reem Hajajreh, founder of WOS, were honored to accept the prestigious Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) Award in Venice on behalf of the two movements. This prize is awarded to “women who have displayed leadership, strength, and courage in their commitment to their causes”. It was presented to them by renowned media figure Oprah Winfrey.

The Hillary Clinton Award was also accepted by Yael and Reem on behalf of the two movements.It is bestowed annually by Georgetown University for “exceptional leadership in promoting women’s rights and creating a more peaceful and secure world for all.” The ceremony was attended by The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, the 67th U.S. Secretary of State, along with distinguished guests including H.E. Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, former President of Lithuania, and H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid, former President of Estonia.

The respected Albie Award, created by George and Amal Clooney to “shine a protective spotlight on courageous justice defenders who are at risk,” was also given in New York to WWP and WOS. It was received by Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat and Hyam Tannous on behalf of WWP, and Reem Hajajreh on behalf of WOS.