The Rev. Dr. Shahedah Shadedah and Doris Shahedah

It is a powerful evening, indeed. Dr. Shahedah Shahedah arrives at the Ginosar kibbutz with his wife, Doris. They join us for dinner and he is remarkably “western” in dress with his dark suit and Episcopal priest’s collar. Except for her simple but elegant and traditional Arab black dress, Doris does not easily fit the image of a Middle-Eastern woman. Her hair is short as well as stylish and there is no head covering. Their graciousness and level of comfort with this group of strangers is immediately apparent.
There is small-talk including a discussion of the family’s two years in Chicago while he completed a degree at McCormick Theological Seminary as well as his visits to 41 of our 50 United States for the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace.

After dinner, we move to a quiet area of the downstairs lounge and create a circle of fifteen Christian brothers and sisters. It is immediately more than a grouping of chairs - the bond, the passion for peace and reconciliation within this gathering is evident in each and every face.

Shehedah is a man who has spent an entire lifetime in the pursuit of peace and understanding between Jews and Palestinians and even those of us who have followed the events of recent years within Israel are surprised by his initial and very personal comments related to the flickering light of hope for his goals of peace and reconciliation between these peoples. Like so many of his generation, he has concluded that these things will not come to pass during his lifetime. Sadness? Certainly. Despair? Not this man!

Now, his faith and tenacity in ministry seem to seize the moment and he changes course. In the shadow of the dwindling numbers of Israelis and Palestinians alike, who now believe that peace is possible, he talks enthusiastically of dialogue being the only avenue of true peace and of the year-long work of his Reconciliation and Peace Department of the Episcopal Church. Leaders of all the major faiths, Muslim, Christian and Jew have unanimously agreed to, and have begun, regular direct conversation.

Next, he says, “We must start with the children,” and we are instantly transported to the home of the Shahak family and to school in Tel Mond! Was that only yesterday? In that one tiny corner of Israel, that part of the dream is already a blossoming reality! Hope!

We tackle some tough issues and questions in group discussion but now there is a renewed sense of energy and mission. When someone asks, “What can we do?” the reply is immediate and passionate. “That is a very good question. You can tell our story to others.” That is our calling...to be become his storytellers. Perhaps it is yours?

His final words will remain with me throughout the years ahead. They echo of another time and another wall. “I dream that the wall will be knocked down from both sides and that we will share the land and harvest the peace.”

Shalom and Salaam
Bob Forbes