Women’s Involvement & Programs
AR Co-Founder Rabbanit Hadassah Froman (Right) with Israa Manasra and her mother, Hana Bagdady at a Multifaith Iftar
Since the founding of the Abrahamic Reunion in 2004, and in the earlier pre-founding meetings going back to 2000, women have always been an important part of our peacebuilding work. Many of the co-founders of the Abrahamic Reunion were women, and currently, two women, Anat Lev Or, and Sheikha Najah Kabaha, are the Co-Chairs of the Israeli sister nonprofit, “The Children of Abraham For Peace”.
The Abrahamic Reunion has held more than 13 Women-specific Peacebuilding Programs and Events, with 686 women participating and leading, since 2013.
The inclusion of women in peacebuilding, and empowering women as peace leaders, is critical for a sustainable peace. According to the UN, when women are involved in the peace process, the likelihood of sustained peace increases by nearly 30%.
Women’s Peacebuilding Circle, 2022-2023
February 2023 Womens Peacebuilding Circle
Under the leadership of Israeli Co-Chairwomen Anat Lev Or and Sheikha Najah Kabaha, and in collaboration with International Director Ghassan Manasra, the Abrahamic Reunion began to gather Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and Druze women for a recurring peacebuilding leadership training circle. The women met five times engaging in dialogue, visiting each others’ villages and homes, and discussing how women can take their place to impact the peace process in the Holy Land.
Women have outsized influence in their families, extended families, and communities, to educated and influence the next generation for understanding, interconnection, and peace.
The women in the peacebuilding circle are educators, community or spiritual leaders, and have additional influence to shape Holy Land society.
The Abrahamic Reunion is currently pursuing funding for the Women’s Peacebuilding Circle to expand the program, document the transformative process, and interview the participants.
Some Past Women’s Programs featured on the AR Website or the Web:
- 2014 Peace Hannukah featured a separate Women’s Meeting at Mt Grizim, apart from the rest of the program, as covered in Haaretz.
- Women’s Peace Walk, Parliament of Religions, Salt Lake City, 2015(Led and participated in by AR Delegates and AR Co-Founders, although this was not explicitly an AR Event)
- Women’s Multifaith Hannukah Celebration 2017
- Participation in Women Stand Together Conference in the UK, 2017
- Women’s Peace Night, April 2018
- 2019 Women’s Program at Daliat al-Carmel
- A Taste of Peacemaking: Female Leaders (Zoom) Nov, 2020 (online Program)
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- 2018 Iftar in Ilut – AR Co-Founder Hadassah Froman, right
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- 2023 February Women’s Peacebuilding Circle
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- Young Peacebuilder Zeynab Manasra Khatib presents alongside Palestinian religious leaders in the West Bank
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- AR Co-Founders Sana Albaz and Anna Less PhD
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- AR Co-Founder Sana Albaz
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- Women’s Dialogue Circle at Daliat al-Carmel, 2018
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- AR Israel Board Member and Druze community leader, Siham Halabi
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- 2018 Peace Summit
Young Peacebuilders in Palestine pose on a day-long peace journey through the West Bank
A Muslim and Druze woman in dialogue at the 2018 Peace Summit in Nes Amim
Women form a prayer circle at the AR’s 2013 Iftar Dinner
The AR’s 2018 Parliament of Religions Delegation of Women! Left to right: Co-Founder Anna Less PhD, Former US Board member Hermione Garland, Co-Founder Sana Albaz, Israel Board member Siham Halabi, former Programs Staff Katie Emmons, Young Peacebuilder Zeynab Manasra Khatib with baby Laila Manasra, Maggie from Chile, and peace musician Israa Manasra.
A girl shows the joy of connection at one of the AR’s youth peacebuilding events.
