Dear Friends and Supporters,

I am sending you this email to request your financial support in sending two Palestinian leaders to the annual “Bearing Witness Retreat” in Auschwitz, Poland (Oct 31 - Nov 5, 2011). All retreat expenses will be covered by the organizers of the retreat, the Peacemaker Circle International. We are responsible for raising funds for their travel expenses, which is $1,100 per person (air ticket, transportation to and from Jordan, taxes, transportation and one night stay in Poland prior to the retreat).

As many of you know, my participation in the retreat transformed my life. It helped me understand the deep inherit pain and trauma that exists in the mind and heart of those who suffered and continue to cope with the trauma of the Holocaust. Being witness to the tragedy, engaging in deep reflection and prayer, and seeing reconciliation and healing in such a dark place was an experience that I will never forget and has become a corner stone of my vision and work.

My commitment since participating in the retreat has been to send a new generation of Palestinian leaders, especially those who are commitment to nonviolence and transformation. This year we have an opportunity to send two very special leaders. Dina Awwad from Bethlehem and Hanna Srour from a Palestinian village inside Israel called Eilaboun. Both Dina and Hanna are active community leaders and have been actively involved in Holy Land Trust programs, especially the Non-linear Leadership Development program.  I have no doubt that in addition to being enriched by the experience; they will be a gift to the many participants in the retreat.

I truly look forward to their participation in the retreat and to their return as partners in our continued work to be strong voices for healing, peace, justice and reconciliation for all those who live in the land we call Holy.

This is a real opportunity for you to be directly involved in one of the deepest visions of our work and I urge you not to miss this opportunity to say that you supported a Palestinian’s visit to Auschwitz. I will forever be grateful to my own sponsor on my journey some years ago and will know that Dina and Hanna we be profoundly changed as well.  

For more information on the retreat please visit http://www.zenpeacemakers.org.

If you are called to support, please send me an email that includes the amount you want to give (sami@holylandtrust.org).  We can track the amount till we reach our goal of $2,200 USD, you are more than welcomed to also cover their entire expenses if your heart leads you to do so.

Thank you for your love and support,

In peace

Sami Awad

Executive Director

Holy Land Trust