Activities Video Spot
Neve Shalom Wahat-El-Salam
The connection between David Broza and "Neve Shalom Wahat-El-Salam" is long and deep. The settlement, which is situated next to Latroun, was conceived by his grandfather Major Wellesley Aaron. Ironically, and despite his military rank, Mjr. Aaron was dedicated much of his time to promoting peace education. Back in 1967, after the six days war, Broza recalls his grandfather's vision of turning Jerusalem into an international city. "He was booed and ridiculed and then he went on to build the University For Peace in Neve Shalom", says Broza,
"My grandfather used to say that there are enough military schools in the world and that now is the time to search for peace".
At the age of 19, when Broza was still in the Army, he joined his grandfather at some meetings that dealt with issues such as coexistence and tolerance. "Some meetings took place up on the hill where Neve Shalom now stands", he recalls. "There was nothing there, it was just a hermitage that the founder, Father Bruno, opened up for people searching for solitude. The group of people that my grandfather joined, saw in that place an opportunity to expand the idea of finding peace within yourself as a prelude to bringing peace to the community and the region".
Along the years, Neve Shalom turned into a center for peace just as Mjr Aaron dreamt it would be. The settlement created a community made up of Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Muslims and Christians together. "Through the times of conflicts that we are living in, we learn first hand how to resolve problems. We then can implement courses and write books that creates bigger study groups world wide that work for a solution", emphasizes Broza. "I think that as long as there's conflict, Neve Shalom will remain a very important social anchor, and enclave, within Israel and Palestine".
Over the years, Broza has contributed to Neve Shalom's activities by participating in fund-raising concerts around the world. In 1996 he was involved in a big New York, together with Richard Gere, that helped promote Neve Shalom's Agenda. In 2006, Broza opened a Roger Waters concert in Neve Shalom. "That concert helped put Neve Shalom on the map, and it was especially important because Palestinians were allowed to come and see it. They wouldn't have done it if had taken place in Tel-Aviv. Neve Shalom serves as a great platform for meeting and rubbing shoulders, mixing and mingling, with different people from the region".
For more information please click the following links:
Neve Shalom Wahat-El-Salam
Combatants for Peace
"Combatants for Peace" is one amongst several organizations that are close to Broza's heart. The members of this very special movement are Israelis soldiers and commanders that served in the I.D.F, alongside Palestinians involved in terrorist activity, some of whom have even served time in Israeli jails. Both parties vowed to put down their weapons and engage in dialogue rather than violence.
"I respect that group, not because of its pacifist appearance but rather because of the metamorphosis that Its members are experiencing", says Broza. "These are people who have seen it all, done it all, have been driven by very strong ideological dogmas, dedicated activists committed to their identity, and yet they understand that through violence only breeds violence, but that through dialogue you can create a new time and a new age. Because they have so much credibility on both sides, they can draw the attention of their respective societies, without anybody linking them to vested interests or hidden agendas. These people have seen battle and have paid the price, and deserve all the support they need in order to become legitimized. They are very effective in bringing the change that both Israelis and Palestinians desperately ned".
"Givat Haviva is perhaps the oldest organization of all", says Broza. "Iit started with the kibbutz movement so it has a socialist side to it". The pride of Givat Haviva is the established school of Arabic language which is considered the best in Israel. This well-known establishment is a great melting pot, and makes a perfect meeting spot for Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs. As a pro-peace-activist, Givat Haviva is the natural place to support. "Like Neve Shalom, it's actually all about spreading the word".
For more information please click the following links:
Neve Shalom Wahat-El-Salam
Combatants for Peace
Hamsa
David Broza got his first Hamsa many years ago as a present from a friend. Broza, who is not too much into jewelry, decided that instead of wearing it around his neck he would turn it into a piece of pocket jewelry. “I became very attached to it. There was just something about it”, he says. A few years later, he decided that instead of giving T-shirts and CD's to people he met, he would make Hamsas with his name on them and enough space for others to add their initials. The reaction was great, and Broza then thought of designing a collection of Hamsas and other jewelry in silver and white gold, that would also serve as good luck tokens. “Hamsa is significant in both the Jewish and Muslim faiths, representing the hand of God or the hand of Fatima”, he explains. “It has great spiritual strength, and so I thought - what better than the Hamsa shape for promoting projects of coexistence, tolerance and educational activities that deal with conflict resolution within the region?"
Broza's search for common ground is present in his multi-cultural art and throughout his social activities. The Hamsa Collection, for that matter, fits his credo perfectly. “Hamsa is an integral part of Jewish and Arab cultures so it creates a subconscious connection that adds a good feeling to it”, he says. “That's exactly what I try to do by singing songs, by creating music and by forming that collection. It's all about positive interaction”.
Not Only A Beautiful Piece Of Art
Buying a piece from the collection is not only about indulging oneself with a beautiful and unique piece of art, but also about supporting projects of coexistence, tolerance and conflict resolution that can help improve the current situation in the Middle East.
Proceeds of the sale will go to such organizations as Neve Shalom Wahat-El-Salam, Combatants for Peace, מחסוםWatch and the Givat Haviva center.
"There's no quick solution to the conflict in the Middle East, but we need to prepare the people towards that day, because Peace is not only about putting down the guns, it's about the day after" says Broza. "I think Peace becomes a fact when you learn to look your partner in the eye without being afraid to show compassion, respect and understanding. We are standing on common ground and nothing can erase that. In order to get there, the guidance of experts is needed because we all are in a Post-Trauma state of mind", he adds.
As a result of living in conflict for so long, Israelis and Palestinians became conditioned to it, according to Broza, and that's a circle he wants to break. "If we want to end it and move on, we must all realize that protecting ourselves by staying away from those we mistrust, is no option. We should give ourselves an opportunity to build together, with the help of organizations and programs that initiate specific activities with teachers, academics, psychologists and social workers". All this needs finance and Broza hopes that the collection can contribute. "This drop of water in the sea can give so much energy and could really lead to a change", he says.
For more information please click the following links:
Neve Shalom Wahat-El-Salam
Combatants for Peace
מחסוםWatch
Givat Haviva center
