Jerusalem, Israel. When it rains it pours!  This year Ramadan, Chanuakh and Christmas fell in line, one after the other and we didn't miss a beat!

Our December  7  meeting was the first night of Chanukah.  We met to discuss how our holy texts teach us to treat women.  This topic was chosen in light of the UN "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women" that was on Nov. 25.  Esther, Ellen and Nasrin shared with us stories and quotes as well as history, traditions and changes within each religion.  There is no question that the ideal and the reality in many instances differ greatly. 
 
After the "teaching" section we took a break - we lit chanukah menorahs that a couple of women had brought from home, made the blessings, sang a couple of songs, spun the sivivon (dreidle) and of course talked a bit about the story of Chanukah and ate sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
 
Following the break we split into small groups to discuss, question and delve a bit deeper into what we had learned.  At the end of the meeting we greeted friends from other WIE groups from up north, talked a little business and went home - taking with us the light of the chanukah candles and the warmth of the women, knowing we'd meet again very soon!
 
 December 10 event  --  And we did!  For many months we have been planning on painting the drab, gray walls of a school in Shuafat.  Ellen  Schoenweld had succeed in raising the funds for the paints and supplies.  And we finally set off ... 8:30 on Friday morning a bunch of us  -- including Nadia's sons, Abdullah, 10, and Ibrahim, 8 -- met at the YMCA on King David Street to go to the school that Suheer teaches at - an elementary school for boys in Shuafat, East Jerusalem .  The weather was chilly and the clouds were hovering but if it wasn't raining,  we were going.  Armed with brushes, paints, stencils, Anastasia's visions in her head  (and Anastasia is a prominent Israeli artist ! ) and scarves we headed off.  We were met at the school by the assistant principal, teachers and we set to work.  By lunch we were finished!  Nadia's sons, who became honorary members of WIE had the time of their lives, as did the women.  We painted trees and flowers, rainbows and white clouds, hearts, swirls and a world with smiling children living in peace and accompanied by "Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself"  written in Arabic, Hebrew, and English.   This once drab graffittied concrete was now "bursting" with light!
 
Lunch was provided by the school and we sat outside in a patch of sun enjoying the hot, home cooked food.  A representative of the school  presented Elana with a small ceramic plaque in thanks for the effort and the contribution we made  beautifying their playground.   We were already requested to paint another school nearby -- and we're thinking to make this a regular activity. 
 
The month is not over!  We will be meeting for an after Christmas party at Rose's  new home in Beit Hanina on Tuesday, December 28  as well as the  Women's  Retreat on December 30 in the Beduin Tent in Kfar Shibli.  
 
We are very grateful to the wonderful people who have supported our work this past year with their prayers and messages -- and those who have donated money to enable us to hold these events.  In this holiday season, we pray for peace and joy for everyone.
 
This report was prepared by: Wendy Weiss Simon, Nadia Totangi Nusebah, Rose Naber, Aida Shibli, and Elana Rozenman