"Out
beyond rightdoing and wrongdoing there is a
field. I'll meet you there."
This is the starting place of good spirit for
relationship healing and building prescribed centuries ago in the
Even earlier, the Psalmists knew such a meeting place
of adversaries was needed, sacred and blessed:
Since 2001, visionary, courageous
Palestinian and Israeli -- Jewish, Muslim and
Christian -- CHEFS FOR PEACE in
http://hopeways.org/e_index.htm?page=e_chef01
They refuse to be "enemies" and deny
that the barriers of past hurt, history and national struggle impenetrable.
Their menu features authentic cuisine that models
practical cooperation and improves human relationships, while rising above old
thinking and institutions that divide.
In a similar spirit of sustainable
living together is JERUSALEM FOODSONG -- http://www.growseed.org/Jerusalemseed.html
.
Jews and Palestinians plan a sustainable food future
for both their peoples, as they:
====================================
Published by HopeWays: Alternative National Design
Forum
with story and photos on the Web at http://www.hopeways.org/e_index.htm?page=e_chef01
CHEFS FOR PEACE
CHEFS FOR PEACE is a group of very special
people not only as professional chefs of the highest caliber, but whose
personal lives testify to their commitment to co-existence and care for their
brother whether Arab or Jew, Christian or Muslim.
Founded in 2001, CHEFS FOR PEACE now numbers 25 Arabs
and Jews coming from all three monotheistic faiths. All share a passion for
culinary delights and commitment to excellence in food preparation and
presentation.
Moreover, CHEFS FOR PEACE counts among its ranks
globe-trotting, world-class chefs of renown. These award-winning chefs have
prepared gala dinners for special events and world competitions in
But the special bond that brought these men and women
together was not only a love for food, but a love for people - people of all
faiths, colors, and nationalities.
Non-political, they do not demonstrate, and do not
espouse any political agenda.
But just like mothers have known down through the ages
of history, Chefs For Peace believe good food and love
go a long way in healing wounded hearts and relationships.
CHEFS FOR PEACE founder, Kevork
Alemian, (the only Armenian in the group), has been a
chef and in hotel management for 25 years.
He tells how the idea for the group started while
cooking with two Palestinians and two Israeli Jews on a culinary trip to
"I watched these four cooks working together in
the kitchen and it popped into my mind that we should do something
together."
It was great fellowship, great fun, and great food.
When they returned, he called a meeting, putting forth
his simple philosophy: "People have to eat. Let's just sit around the
table and eat and enjoy together. But no talking
politics."
A perfect match was made when Kevork,
along with his chef and Vice President of CHEFS FOR PEACE Jacob Salbis, came to manage the YMCA's Three Arches Restaurant.
The group's philosophy of promoting peace and
friendship between Jew and Arab, Christian and Muslim, through good fellowship
over good food is in perfect harmony with the YMCA's role as a bridge between
the two peoples of the land and a home for all three monotheistic faiths.
As Chef Jacob says proudly with a beaming smile,
"The YMCA here likes us so much they have taken us into their hands. Now
this is our home." Jacob, who incidentally has cooked for both Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon, says both of them shall
pass.
What matters to Jacob is his relationship with his
Jewish and Arab staff in the kitchen: "We love each other. We help each
other. We don't talk politics in the kitchen. We only talk about food -- and we
are happy." Rule No. 1 is: No politics.
Behind the scenes, Kevork
has given a catering class at the YMCA for 15 widowed traditional Muslim women
who learned self-sustaining skills they can now use to work from their homes.
He plans to offer more culinary courses for Arabs and
Jews together, including special classes for children and teens. In the future,
he wants to add courses in hotel management.
And to encourage and guide the younger newcomers to
the field, Kevork hopes to start a Junior CHEFS FOR
PEACE organization.
One of the group's culinary stars, though he would
blush to admit it, is Chef Moshe Basson.
He recalls as a youngster listening to his Jewish
father sitting and talking with his beloved Arab friend and neighbor in their
small village.
There was political conflict in the land, but they did
not allow the conflict to affect their relationship.
The young Moshe did not understand then, but has since
learned over the years: "What my father and his friend were trying to say
to me is that between the people there already is a peace - a peace of
friendship and mutual interests."
Principles of CHEFS FOR PEACE
** CHEFS FOR PEACE, a
nonprofit organization, was founded in November 2001 to implement events using
culinary arts as a strategy to facilitate coexistence between the two peoples.
** Chefs For Peace will
join other coexistence organizations in the belief that through continued
social, professional and economic involvement, individuals from diverse sectors
will develop the communication, mutual understanding and respect to live in
peace.
** CHEFS FOR PEACE will
utilize the interest in food, cooking and professional culinary opportunities
to provide experiences between people separated by partisan circumstances.
** CHEFS FOR PEACE have
chosen to unite in the Holy City of Jerusalem the center of three major
monotheistic faiths. The barriers of past hurt, history and national struggle
often appear impenetrable. In this
** That is why,CHEFS
FOR PEACE ask the international community and the leadership representing both
sides to move forward politically in the peace process, because the basic lack
of trust and mutual respect on a personal level between the people of these
faiths poses a fundamental obstacle.
** CHEFS FOR PEACE
believe that through using the vocabulary of the kitchen, and mutual
understanding and practical cooperation, they will try to acknowledge the true
one path, and that is PEACE.
** Through our mutual
understanding, we will unite and show the world that our authentic cuisine can
contribute to the peace process. CHEFS FOR PEACE is indifferent to politics,
religion or color; our aim is the improvement of human relations.
** CHEFS FOR PEACE is
ready to perform any event upon request or invitation to all sects of life,
being it in the
Founder of CHEFS FOR PEACE
Kevork Alemian -
Chairman
Board of CHEFS FOR PEACE:
Yacoub Salbis - Vice
Chairman
Rana Bullata - Secretary
Shamai Mittleman -
Treasurer
Anat Lev Ari - Treasurer
Yossi El Ad - Membership Officer
Nabil Aho - Membership
Officer
Joseph Asfour - Member
Moshe Basson - Member
Ibrahim Abu Seir - Member
Peter Korfiatis - Member
Tali Anbal - Member