Turning Grief Into Hope: An Evening with the Parents Circle – Families Forum

19 Oct @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: Social Hall
Cost: Free for Temple Emanuel members; $18 per person for non-members

Join us for a powerful evening featuring members of the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) as part of Temple Emanuel’s Social Action Speaker Series. PCFF is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 800 bereaved Israelis and Palestinians, each of whom has lost an immediate family member to the conflict. Yet instead of choosing vengeance, these families have chosen the courageous work of reconciliation, dialogue and peace.

Through intimate, often raw encounters, PCFF creates a safe and transformative space for bereaved Israelis and Palestinians to share their personal stories, understand one another’s narratives and recognize the humanity of the “other.”

Their work rarely makes headlines, but its impact is personal, profound and lasting. Through their stories, members of PCFF offer an opportunity to listen, bear witness and reflect on how human connection can open pathways toward empathy, understanding and hope.

The evening includes sandwiches, drinks and desserts served beginning at 6:00 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. with an inspiring conversation featuring Sima Awad, a Palestinian peace educator whose brother was killed in the conflict, and Maayan Inon, an Israeli whose parents were killed on October 7, 2023. Together, they will share the personal journeys that brought them to this moment and the experiences that shaped their commitment to dialogue, reconciliation and a different future, followed by a Q&A.

Open to the public. Advance registration is required. Photo identification is required upon arrival for admission.

This program is made possible in part through the generous support of the Hacker Fund for Lifelong Learning and presented by Temple Emanuel’s Social Action Committee.

Sign Up by Oct. 14 →

About the Speakers

Sima Awad is from Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. Sima’s brother, Mahmoud, was killed in 2008 by an Israeli soldier when she was three years old. Over time, she came to the realization that the only way to prevent further pain and the loss of more children is through dialogue and reconciliation. Raised with a deep awareness of her brother’s love, support and care for her, Sima carries that same love into her work toward creating a different reality. Today, she is a Young Ambassador for Peace with the Parents Circle – Families Forum and a facilitator at the peace summer camp.

Maayan Inon is an Israeli mother of two daughters with more than 25 years of experience in therapy and healing methods. On October 7, 2023, both of her parents were killed in their home in Netiv HaAsara by Hamas. Despite the profound loss and grief, Maayan and her siblings chose to issue a joint message calling for “no revenge” and an end to the cycle of bloodshed. Since then, she has focused her efforts on promoting dialogue that chooses life and reconciliation, encouraging empathetic communication and a deeper understanding of others’ narratives. Maayan speaks to diverse groups, inspiring people to find new possibilities for growth and connection in the face of pain, trauma and loss.