LIGHT FROM THE DESERT: MIDDLE EAST PEACE CONCERTS
The Peace Concerts presented by ISIME and the Mizel Museum were resoundingly successful during the weekend of December 6, 2008.
The Boulder Old Main Auditorium was full, and the Newman Center concert played to a sold-out crowd. Audiences enjoyed the inspirational Middle Eastern music of Naser Musa, a Palestinian refugee, and Yair Dalal, an Israeli musician who shared the stage with drummer Ty Burhoe of Colorado.
Dr. Shaul Gabbay opened the Boulder concert with the following words:
Good evening friends!
It is my great honor and privilege to welcome you this evening to this wonderful peace concert.
I must begin by thanking YOU for being here to share this inspiration with us.
My name is Shaul Gabbay. I am an Israeli. And beside me is my friend and colleague, Dr. Amin Kazak who is a Palestinian. Both of us were born in the Holy Land. We have different religions, different cultures, and yes… we have different narratives about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
MOST important, over the past decade- this incredible man standing beside me, I am proud to say has become my friend- my very good friend.
Recognizing our differences, respecting our diverse perspectives, Amin and I teach together, do research together and soon will be publishing a book together titled, ONE LAND: TWO STORIES.
It is in this spirit of friendship and cooperation – coupled with our determination to bring peace to our homeland, that we are delighted to welcome you this evening to hear the music that will inevitably transcend the conflicts that divide us.
People who meet us often say, “The two of you embody peace.” We reply that our intention is to let the world know that this conflict is not between the people – the human beings – people like Amin and I want peace. Peace for our families and our children. Deep down we share the belief that peace IS possible.
We thank you for being here with us tonight and we ask that you join us and become our partners for peace.”
ISIME THANKS THE MIZEL MUSEUM
ISIME acknowledges the timeless efforts by our partner organization: the Mizel Museum, especially
Ellen Premack, Georgina Kolber, and Jan Nadav.
We also thank the concert producer, Sheldon Sands.
In addition, we are delighted by the support of our co-sponsors, whose participation made these peace concerts successful:
Abraham Path Initiative
Abrahamic Initiative
Allied Jewish Federation
American Jewish Committee
B'nai Havurah Reconstructionist Federation
BMH-BJ
Center for Judaic Studies – DU
Colorado Dominican Vocation Foundation
Center for Multicultural Excellence –DU
Denver Office of Cultural Affairs
Terry Greenblatt, Executive Director and CEO, Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights
Golda Meir Center of Metro State
Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Menorah of Boulder JCC
Chris and Lu Law
Multicultural Mosaic
Nevei Kodesh
Rocky Mountain Council on US-Arab Relations
Oreg Foundation
Temple Emanuel
Temple Sinai