Yona with the newly dedicated peace pole at the Embrace Peace Conference, May 2024
Long-time Abrahamic Reunion supporter, Yona Winer-McWilliam, attended Sheikh Ghassan’s recent events in South Florida: Embrace Peace Conference on May 18th, the Interfaith Shabbat on May 17th with Temple Adath Or (TAO), and the Online Wisdom Class on May 22nd.
She and her husband, Iain McWilliam, who live outside Ft. Lauderdale, are community members of TAO, and have traveled on International Tours with the Abrahamic Reunion in the Holy Land.
Yona wrote this reflection after Sheikh Ghassan’s visit to South Florida last month:
“Abrahamic Reunion has had several remarkable heart-opening events recently, which I have appreciated immensely.
Partnering with LWIN ( Lake Worth Interfaith Network ) for the Embracing Peace summit, Sheikh Ghassan of AR makes room for everyone in his immense universal heart.
Shabbat Services music at Temple Adath Or – Yona (Left), Ghassan (second from R), and Ted (R)
From that vantage point it becomes natural to attune to the unity of the One Being we all, regardless of our religion or ethnicity, have our source and being in.
All the panelists representing orientations of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and other Religions and Orientations spoke with tone that reinforced over and over the holding of space for others of differing perspectives.
Rabbi Marc Labowitz of TAO ( Temple Adath Or) brought a powerful idea that, allowing for the point of view of “the other” does not mean giving up one’s own, but rather stretches our capacity. What may emerge out of that may be a totally new creation or reality.
In these gatherings it so hope-inspiring to recognize that habitual ways of thinking, over time and exposure to harmonious atmosphere, can shift. We can be part of helping the shift toward a more peaceful world.”
Yona Winer-McWilliam
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More Info on these events:
- Embrace Peace Conference – Event report & Photos
- “Do you have hope for the Holy Land, today?” Wisdom Class with Sheikh Ghassan and Temple Adath Or
- Interfaith Shabbat Video Recording – Ted speaks at ~44min in, Ghassan speaks at ~48min in,
Sheikh Ghassan, AR International Director, addresses the Temple Adath Or congregation with Rabbi Marc Labowitz
Rabbi Marc Labowitz of Temple Adath Or offering a peace song at the Embrace Peace Conference
Iain, Yona, and Macey Markowitz, AR Development Officer, at the Embrace Peace Conference
Lunch at the Embrace Peace Conference
