The
Peace Cafes were born of the frustration Ari Roth and Andy Shallal each felt watching
the news from the Middle East. Shallal wanted to take positive action by bringing
Arabs and Jews together to communicate about the most difficult topic before them.
At
the same time, Roth was bringing David Hare's play to the JCC's Theater J. Because
of the strong feelings he knew the play would elicit, Roth wanted to have a discussion
session after the performance. Roth and Shallal's collaboration began and expanded.
"Memories, feelings, and personal journeys are welcome" says Andy Shallal
as the discussion portion of the Peace Cafe begins. "At first the discussions
will be within the tables and later opened up to the room. We'd like to communicate
on a personal level. No position statements, please." The evenings are full of
strong emotions. Shallal encourages people to "get uncomfortable." |