Seeds of Hope, as seen in the Arts

St. Mark’s held a meeting with their church to share their stories from Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Below are notes from Marjorie Coombs Wellman’s presentation…

We saw numerous examples of artistic pursuits on the trip, even where it seemed most bleak
- but all reflected the basic humanity and human dignity of the people who created them
- some were works of individuals, some of group
- so some were humorous or satirical, others angry or depicted destruction and death
- some were social commentary, some were outlets for emotion or therapy
- some depicted what was, others showed a vision of the future
- some were actively working to build bridges across the divide
But all reflected the basic humanity and human dignity of the people who created them
- together they gave me at least a kernel of hope that theirs won’t always be as bleak a life as it is now

Artwork on the Wall

Make Hummus, Not Walls

With Love and Kisses

Christmas Tree surrounded by the Wall (this was just outside Bethlehem)

Aerial view of Jerusalem in a future where peace comes and the Wall comes down

Kids being kids at the school for Syrian Refugees

Enjoying the same children’s books as American kids (“Goodnight, Moon”)

Drawings: some have messages of support and hope, some depict what some of these kids have seen and experienced.

Freedom Theatre, Jenin

Founded in the refugee camp in Jenin for teenagers. It promotes Resistance through Art and provides venue for self-expression and an emotional outlet.

I was struck by teenaged boy we saw in a video (not an exact quote) – “Before the theatre the only thing I wanted was to become a martyr. But now that I have the theatre, I want to live a normal life and die a normal death”

Music and Dance

Wast Al Tarik (Middle of the Way) band; both Israeli and Palestinian musicians