On Sunday, June 25, all loose plate offerings will go to Project Rozana, following up on the community Friend-Raiser for the organization hosted by the Holy Land Committee at St. John’s on May 9.
Project Rozana is an interfaith non-profit that helps build ties between Israelis and Palestinians through healthcare. During the pandemic, St. John’s supported Project Rozana’s efforts to provide ventilators for Palestinian hospitals and is an advocate for its Wheels of Hope project that brings Israelis and Palestinians together to provide transport for Palestinians in need of medical care.
At our May 9 Friend-Raiser, the Project Rozana USA Chair, Kenneth Bob spoke about the NGO’s work. Mr. Bob is an outspoken advocate for people-to-people projects in areas of conflict, understanding them as a way to build trust and support for political peace initiatives. He has argued (Times of Israel, Apr 19, 2021) that people-to-people projects helped make Northern Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement possible. Israelis and Palestinians have only a fraction of the inter-personal relationship that helped Catholics and Protestants to a better mutual understanding, so there’s certainly room to grow. Project Rozana brings together networks of Israeli and Palestinian doctors, hospital administrators, and drivers to assist Palestinians in medical need. We’ve seen how this interaction can be expanded, as over 25 churches, mosques and synagogues co-sponsored our May 9 Project Rozana event.
Click here to see a recording of the interfaith panel moderated by our Deacon, Anne Derse and featuring our Reverend, Sari Ateek, Rabbi Greg Harris of Congregation Beth El, and Kenneth Bob, Project Rozana USA’s Chair. Please contact Deacon Anne Derse, a Board member of Project Rozana, for more information about the group.
Please give generously to support Project Rozana’s vital efforts. Click here to give online, and select “Give to Outreach Sunday: Project Rozana” from the dropdown menu.
