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The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics was established in 1987. The Institute has taken Raoul Wallenberg as a model for engagement; not to stand on the sidelines, but to seek out and address injustice and conflict in all areas of life.

Building on its 2008 Middle East Peace Project, the Wallenberg Institute is working towards a 2010 Middle East Peace Dialog with both Interfaith and Political components on the web by the Spring of 2010.Wallenberg 2009 Middle East Peace Project Logo

As part of the preparation for the Middle East Peace Dialog, and as a project of interest and value in its own right, the Institute is participating in a United Religions Initiative Interfaith Dialog using "Group Dialog" software developed by one of our Board Members.  To join the dialog, contact Roger Eaton.

Justice dwells on J Street by Rebecca Tobias
Report on November 2009 J Street Conference 

This past week a historic intersection of religion and politics made its mark on the Washington DC scene at J Street's inaugural conference (Oct 25th-28th). Peace seeking members of humanity’s community of conscience have found a welcome dwelling place; and speaking for myself, I feel right at home.   more...

 

News From Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation

Israeli Jewish and Arab Teachers
Unite to Foster Healing Education for Peace in US Tour
Jewish and Arab children share one stark reality in the polarized and volatile Middle East- Both are living under the chronic stress of conflict.  A 2003 study found 42% of all children living in Israel and her territories suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).    Salaam Shalom Logo

Pioneer educators Tally Bat Ami Zahor and Lana Nasrallah will be speaking on "Healing Children While Building Bridges With Jewish and Arab Children in Israel" in a US tour beginning September 23 in New York City and concluding October 7 in Santa Cruz, CA. The pair will be joined by Shepha Schneirsohn Vainstein MFCC, Founder and Director of the Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation, sponsor of the US tour hosted by local schools, interfaith groups and civic organizations. The public is invited to attend many of these events. Admission is free.

Presenters will inspire and inform audiences about their experiences with innovative and fruitful educational programs in Israel:  
  • Paths for Peace, Jewish-Arab twinned classes at the El Zeitoun in Shfaram.
  • Ein Bustan, a ground-breaking integrated Arab-Jewish kindergarten in Tivon.
  • Teacher-training program that enables Palestinian educators from the West Bank to travel to Israel in order to gain specialized educational skills and highly effective curriculums flourishing in the Israeli communities will also be discussed.
All three programs, co-sponsored by the Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation, encourage Arab and Jewish children to play and learn together in a productive, respectful, and peaceful environment, where conflict resolution skills are taught and "moral imagination" is nurtured.  "Moral imagination" enables students to engage fully and healthfully in relationship, curiosity, creativity and responsible risk-taking.  World-renowned peace mediator, John Paul Lederach believes that "moral imagination" is an essential quality for peace building.

They will speak about the Waldorf system of education and how this global approach to curriculum is being employed in Israel to nourish and heal children, and enliven a sense of respect for humanity and participation in community.

In the words of Shepha Schneirsohn Vainstein, co-founder of the Salaam Shalom Education Foundation, "If we're going to have peace in the future in the Middle East, we're going to need to focus on healing children today. At a time when there is so much cynicism and despair about the situation, it's important to know about a life-enriching approach to education that is changing both Jewish and Arab children's lives for the better. Waldorf education, an artistic and healing education, nurtures children while cultivating independent creative thinking, cooperative problem solving, and flexibility.  Through the Waldorf curriculum children are introduced to other cultures and religions and significant bridges are being built with Arab and Jewish children and their families."

Salaam Shalom graciously welcomes the public's involvement through attendance at this inspirational lecture, volunteerism and financial support.  After the lecture refreshments will be served and there will be an opportunity to meet the educators personally.  Information on an upcoming trip to Israel to witness these programs first hand will also be discussed.

DATES and LOCATIONS

September 24, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn Waldorf School
126 St Felix Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217

September 29, 7 p.m.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School
999 Violet Avenue
Boulder, CO

October 3, 3 p..m.
Westside Waldorf School
17310 Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

October 4, 4 p.m.
Highland Hall Waldorf School
17100 Superior Street
Northridge, CA 91325

October 5, 7:30 p.m.
Unitarian Fellowship Hall
1924 Cedar Street
Berkeley, CA 94709

October 6, time tba
Summerfield Waldorf School
655 Willowside Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

October 6, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Waldorf High School
470 West Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127 

October 7, 7:30 p.m.
Inner Light Ministries
5630 Soquel Drive
Soquel, CA 95073


Documenting Wallenberg
An Archive of Testimonials

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics:
in Cooperation with the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
Seeks Help From Holocaust Survivors Saved by Wallenberg

Please Help Us Before These Stories Are Lost Swedish Diplomat Raoul Wallenberg saved the lives of over 100,000 Jews in Hungary from 1944 to 1945. He issued schutz-passes (protective passes), and maintained a number of safehouses throughout Hungary. He was detained by the Soviet government in 1945, and his subsequent whereabouts are still unknown. The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics is currently working to document and archive the stories of those who met Wallenberg or were saved by his courageous deeds. If you or someone you know were in Budapest during 1944 or 1945 and would like to contribute to this archive by offering your personal testimony, please call Rebecca Tobias at 310-916-8888 or email at Rebecca@raoulwallenberginstitute.org. link to International Wallenberg Foundation

"Love heals spiritually, physically, psychologically and politically. Politics is about relationships. Come to any relationship with a clear conscience, an open heart, and rolled up sleeves and the best that resides within us will manifest itself. G-d, and the universe rejoices, and the true nature of our souls are exercised." -- Rebecca Tobias, Wallenberg Institute Program Director

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