Chana Thau, a resident of Winnipeg, lit a candle in her home with the word ‘remember’ on it to honor the lives lost in Israel on October 7. This day holds significant emotional importance for Jewish people around the world, as many have friends and relatives in Israel. Thau lost her friend, Vivian Silver, in the attack, who was a Jewish humanitarian dedicated to advocating for peace and human rights for Palestinians. Despite the tragedy, Thau remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region.
Silver co-founded Women Wage Peace, a grassroots organization that advocates for peace and aims for a peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians. Thau is part of a local chapter supporting the group’s work in honor of Silver and to continue her legacy. Despite the challenging circumstances, Thau and others in the group remain optimistic about the possibility of achieving peace through dialogue and understanding. The group’s members, who are mothers and grandmothers, strive for a world of peace for future generations.
The conflict in Israel and Gaza has resulted in immense sadness and tragedy, with many lives lost and hostages taken. Belle Jarniewski, the executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, reflects on the suffering caused by the conflict and the division it has triggered. As the child of Holocaust survivors, she is disheartened by the resurgence of anti-Semitism and the lack of empathy and dialogue between the conflicting parties. Despite the challenges, Jarniewski emphasizes the importance of listening, empathizing, and fostering dialogue for conflict resolution.
The ongoing war in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. In response to the conflict, demonstrations have taken place across the globe, including in Winnipeg. Ramsey Zeid, the president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba, has been organizing pro-Palestinian rallies in the city to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinians. He emphasizes the need for recognizing the humanity of all individuals involved and the importance of living freely and equally.
The conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to create divisions and suffering on both sides, leading to a call for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution. Despite the challenges and violence, individuals like Chana Thau, Belle Jarniewski, and Ramsey Zeid remain committed to advocating for peace, dialogue, and understanding. They emphasize the need for empathy, listening, and recognizing the humanity of all individuals involved in the conflict. By working towards peaceful co-existence and dialogue, they hope to build a better future for the next generations.
