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Elana Golden
- Female
- Los Angeles
- United States
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Profile Information
- What country do you live in?
- USA
- Do you have a favorite quote to share?
- "Create a sacred space within yourself, and let this space be so sacred that no matter what comes, it will be transformed into sacredness." Gururmayi Chidvilasananda
- What is your interest in PeaceWork?
- To be a link on the chain of peacemakers worldwide.
- How long have you been involved in PeaceMaking?
- I was 12 and lived in Tel Aviv during the 1967 war between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and one month later spent a month in a summer school in Switzerland. There I met and befriended Arabs and Palestinians, my best friend was Maya from Lebanon and we went on to exchange letters via a friend in Paris. That summer made me a peacemaker. At age 18, I had to go to the Israeli army. I refused to serve in the occupied territores, refused to learn how to shoot a gun, and was finally released as Unfit for service. (Israel does not have a Conscientious Objecor clause). In one way or another I have been an advocate of Palestinian rights and a peace activist/ peacemaker all my life.
- Are you currently involved in any non-profit or volunteer work?
- I donate creative writing/ healing classes in support of Israeli/Palestinian peacemaking and alliances, as part of fund raising and to individuals. A student of Siddha Yoga Meditation, I offer my voice in healing chants. Since 2002, I am part of Women in Black - a worldwide peace and human rights organization. We create educational, artistic and cultural events, as well as rallies, demonstrations and other non-violent activities, with the intention to end the Israeli occupation and bring about a just and peaceful solution to Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East.
- What is your Passion? Your Purpose?
- To help people out of suffering by inspiring and guiding personal healing, creativity and artistic pursuits, and a reconnection to their deepest selves and highest aspirations. My purpose is to actualize all that for myself as well!
- How do any products or services you offer contribute to making the world more peaceful?
- "A story is the shortest distance between people" - Pat Speight. In my writing classes, writers from all cultures and backgrounds turn personal, familial and cultural "wounds" (and ecstasies) into gems of literature, film and theater. By taking pain out of their bodies and souls and putting it onto the page, they heal and become happier. Sometimes the writers are from warring nations, and the mere act of listening to each other's stories begins to dispell prejudice and misunderstanding and build bridges. This deep, intimate writing is an act of generosity that brings light to the shadow and truth into the light of day.
- Is there anything else that you'd like us to know about you?
- My education and training are in writing and directing for film and theater, and I have professional experience in both fields. In the past few years I have written two full length screenplays and am currently looking for money to direct the second one. The story takes place in the 60's and 70's, in Israel, the West Bank and Switzerland, and is about a Jewish/ Israeli girl with a heart and a conscience for the Palestinians, and what happens to her and her family when she opposes the military draft and fights against the occupation. The script has a European feel to it, slightly epic, very character driven. Some of the most beautiful scenes depict life long friendships between Palestinians and Israelis.
- Do you have a SKYPE name?
- No
- Do you have a website?
- http://www.thewritingstudio.biz
Elana Golden's Blog
Obama, "my president"
As a Jewish woman who grew up in Israel with a heart and a conscience for the Palestinians, my first thought when I heard Obama was running for president was that if he wins, then one day there could be a Palestinian president (or prime minister) elected for the one democratic and secular state between the Jordan river and the Mediterranean sea made up of Israeli and Palestinian citizens.
When some of my Israeli friends hear me say this, they raise their hands in the air and sometimes their voi… Continue
When some of my Israeli friends hear me say this, they raise their hands in the air and sometimes their voi… Continue
Posted on November 9, 2008 at 3:30am — 2 Comments
Palestinian Resilience
Hi,
In 2004 I visited Israel/Palestine and participated in human rights work in support of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. A few pieces I wrote about Palestinian life between checkpoints and the separation wall, were published in numerous web sites, below are some of them. It is now 4 years later, the checkpoints are still there, the separation wall is still there, as well as a rather large grassroots movement made up of Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals who non violently stand u… Continue
In 2004 I visited Israel/Palestine and participated in human rights work in support of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. A few pieces I wrote about Palestinian life between checkpoints and the separation wall, were published in numerous web sites, below are some of them. It is now 4 years later, the checkpoints are still there, the separation wall is still there, as well as a rather large grassroots movement made up of Palestinians, Israelis and Internationals who non violently stand u… Continue
Posted on November 9, 2008 at 1:52am —
Come, Obama, Change My Life
Hi,
This article from Counterpunch is by Edna Canetti - an Israeli woman in "Machsom Watch" (Checkpoint watch) - a group of 400 Israeli women for human rights, who for the last eight years go daily to the checkpoints to stop Israeli soldiers from further violating the human rights of Palestinians. There are nearly 100 checkpoints manned by armed Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Every Palestinian, young and old, is forced to pass through them daily, sometimes more than once a day, whether they… Continue
This article from Counterpunch is by Edna Canetti - an Israeli woman in "Machsom Watch" (Checkpoint watch) - a group of 400 Israeli women for human rights, who for the last eight years go daily to the checkpoints to stop Israeli soldiers from further violating the human rights of Palestinians. There are nearly 100 checkpoints manned by armed Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Every Palestinian, young and old, is forced to pass through them daily, sometimes more than once a day, whether they… Continue
Posted on November 9, 2008 at 12:56am —
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but much eaiser for me to conntact you by my personal email address abed2003a@hotmail.com.
will try to conntact vivi
i feel more than happy to now about your solidarity and understanding for our suffering as Palestinian .i would be glad to be in connection with you all the time ,as you see in my profile photo i had arranged meeting for Palestinian -Israeli women in Ramallah last months out of my fixed believe in the crucial role of women in paving the way for peace through rising up children .i prefer to communicate with you via my personal email which is abed2003a@hotmail.com
have a good week end
yours
Abed Khalil
have a good week
Shalom, Salaam,
Alana