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UKULELES FOR PEACE
“UKULELES FOR PEACE” by Daphna Orion
For a long time we are living the miserable situation between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs in the area and are asking ourselves, how can we contribute to a change of atmosphere; how can we build trust between the societies and how can we, as simple
citizens create more opportunities for Jews and Arabs to meet and be involved with one another in our daily lives.
As Paul performs to both Arab and Jewish kids (see Paul’s web page for details); it gave him an idea. He will combine his love for the ukulele (a small easy to handle and to learn 4 string instrument) and his experience with children and will create "Ukuleles For Peace".
Paul is teaching the Ukulele in Jewish and Arab schools and created joint orchestras of Jewish and Arab children who meet regularly and perform, rotating the practice place between the Arab and Jewish towns. The kids also
learn to play the kazoo and sing in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
The project which is totally voluntary is on it’s 4th year now with 6 beginners, intermediate and advanced groups at our son's open/democratic elementary school in Hod Hasharon (a Jewish town) and at El Najach elementary school in nearby Tira (an Arab town).
There are about 80 children and 50 families involved.
Paul's dream is that the playing together will lead to more joint activities which in turn will lead to real involvment in one another lives rather than living parallel lives next to one another.
Parents and families are an intricate part of the project. The mothers are involved in the planning of the social activities and parents help regularly with logistics, transport etc…
The families meet for trips, picnics, holidays celebrations etc…
We also planted a “Ukuleles For Peace” Orchard on the “trees' new year” in a nature park which serves both populations.
We put emphasis on the children’s involvement in their communities and they perform at the regional hospital for children hospitalized in the children ward and their parents and municipal and school celebrations/ events. We are always looking for more venues.
Some of the other performances were: “Talking Kites Event” (to promote peace and dialog) and the “peace children festival”.
In November 2007, the month of co- existence and tolerance was declared in Israel. It was very important to us that the children will participate actively, and meet & communicate with kids who take part in other co-existence programs. We organized 2 shows for the orchestra at the regional school in Kibbutz Tzora (Jewish) and the regional school in Ein Rafa (Arab). The trip and shows were a great success and at the end of the day we realized it a very important experience.
In Mars the orchestra performed in a mixed Arab-Jewish school, "Gesher Al Havadi".
Paul's dream is to create orchestras in several communities and towns, enlarging the circle of real co-existence; enabling kids and parents
to befriend one another and with our modest abilities, helping to create a happier, better, peaceful society.
There is a lot to be done in this area between the Arab and Jewish population in Israel.
When the situation and regulations will allow, Paul would like to form a group in the Palestinian Authority too, which will join the orchestra.
Paul is very passionate about the project together with the kids and their families.
It is already a big a success but work doesn't end and we are on the path of a long journey.
The school communities invited one another for holidays which were celebrated together; the schools staffs meet and a joint art project is in the making;
Paul would like to take “Ukuleles For Peace” around the world playing at events to show that real co-operation between war torn
communities is possible.
We would also like to take the older kids to a summer camp in which disconected from their enviroment, on nutral ground, they will be able to consolidate their friendships and improve the dialog.
Paul Moore: "I would love to turn up at the United Nations and just simply play our Music to them as a statement of what is possible words seem to only divide where as music unites us all in Harmony"
Time has come that we must start searching for sponsorships.
The activity grew, continues to grow and makes more and more demands on Paul’s time and mine. Just the activites alone takes on avarage 10 hours a week, not including planning, coordination, preparing the material etc. which take a lot of time on top.
Paul can’t establish new groups and work with them on a voluntary basis, as if he does so his livelihood (as a musician) will be severely damaged.
We also don't want that a child who wants to play the ukulele won't be able to do so because he cannot purchase one.
Projects in the making:
During Nov-Dec we had a fellow musician from Canada staying with us. Mathias Kom volunteered to help us and record the orchestra for a CD.
He also raised donations that will suffice for a 1000 copies of the disc which is being mastered now in Canada.
Paul is working on a book on playing the ukulele which will include songs, charts, a brief history and the story of the project so far. The book will be in Arabic, Hebrew, and English.
A compilation CD of Ukulele related music is being put together in order to raise funds for Ukuleles For Peace.
It will incorporate many current Ukulele Players throughout the world, who donated their music and a couple of tracks by the orchestra.
There are many dreams to follow and many things to do.
Ukuleles for Peace web address: http://www.ukulelesforpeace.com
You can also join ukulelesforpeace@yahoogroups.com
for updates.
I invite you to go to Paul's website which tells about him and his other activities at: http://www.paulmooremusic.com
(The Ukuleles for peace project has yet to be entered; Paul has to learn how to single handedly update his site.)
7, Hashalom st.
Israel
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