Central New York Helps In Holy Land
Episcopal News Service. April 27, 1989 [89086F]
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (DPS, Apr. 27) -- The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York has made its own contribution toward peace in the Holy Land. Four thousand dollars was contributed toward the purchase of school bus. The bus will transport Palestinian kindergarten children from their refugee camp to the Shireen Preschool, where they share classes with Israeli children.
The contribution for the school bus was drawn from funds raised by the diocese as part of their participation in the national Venture in Mission (VIM) program in 1985, when they raised almost $1.7 million, since used in a variety of ministries within and outside the diocese.
The diocese learned of the need for a school bus when a group of people from Central New York visited St. George's College, Jerusalem -- which has also received help through VIM.
The bus was purchased through an organization called Oz veShalom, Religious Zionists for Strength and Peace. Through Oz veShalom, Jews and Palestinians work together in a variety of projects to help Palestinian children and their families.
In expressing thanks for the gift, Yehezkel Landau, executive director of the organization, wrote to the Rt. Rev. O'Kelley Whitaker, diocesan of Central New York, "I can think of no finer example of interfaith cooperation for the peace of this Holy Land than Christian church bodies donating funds through an Israeli-Jewish peace movement to enable Islamic Palestinian institutions to develop and flourish here."
Whitaker spoke of the gesture made by his diocese as "... a tangible reflection of our continuing prayers for peace in the Holy Land."