Shabbat dinners to discuss Peres’ legacy
The New Israel Fund is organising Shabbat dinners to discuss the legacy of Shimon Peres.
The recent passing of Israeli elder statesman Shimon Peres was mourned by leaders across the world. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts towards creating peace in the Middle East, yet more than 20 years later, peace remains more elusive than ever in the region.
These questions and much more will form the basis of discussion for the New Israel Fund’s ‘Food For Thought’ Shabbat dinners this November 18. Aimed for those in their 20s and 30s, it’s an opportunity to come together with friends and family (and to meet new people) while discussing current issues. The dinners are organised by fellows who are participating in NIF’s Naomi Chazan Fellowship program.
“We wanted to show the shift in perspective over time of leading Israeli leaders like Peres, Rabin, Netanyahu and Sharon,” said Melbourne-based Dana Klas, who is helping put the discussion pack together. “Peres made many controversial decisions in his life, yet his later years were focused on bringing peace to Israelis and Palestinians,” added Klas.
“The dinners are designed to delve behind the headlines and discuss how many of Israel’s political leaders have shifted their political perspectives during their lifetimes,” explained Liam Getreu, Executive Director of NIF Australia. “It’s also an opportunity to explore how these ideas are being translated to grassroots action in Israel today,” added Getreu, noting that when the fellows visited Israel as part of the Fellowship they were able to meet with various organisations working towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
This is the second year that NIF has run this well-attended program. For anyone interested in either joining or hosting a dinner please see
www.nif.org.au/foodforthought for more information.
