BRIDGE OF PEACE CEREMONY BRINGS WOMEN OF THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS TOGETHER

On the eve of both Ramadan and Roshashana, the Jewish and Moslem High Holy days, the conflict in the Middle East remains heated and unresolved. Here, in Sacramento, on the State Capital grounds, we found an oasis of peace, a moment where the world stopped to take a breath of fresh air from the ongoing crises.

On Friday, September 22nd, as part of the World Peace Rose Garden celebration for the UN International Day of Peace, four Christian, four Jewish, and four Muslim women leaders crossed the "The Bridge of Peace".

"This event was the highlight of the celebration.... there was not one person observing who was not moved in some way," said TJ David, co-creator of the Rose Garden. Many of the participants, as well as the audience, were in tears.

Rukhsana Haq, representing the Speakers Bureau of Sacramento Area League of Associated Moslems, crossed the Bridge of Peace with Mesha Davis, Public Affairs Representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As they exchanged roses and embraced on the bridge, they could not help but break into tears. "We feel like we are sisters now." They beamed after the event.

"The Bridge of Peace was created by Women's Federation for World Peace in 1992 as a way to heal historical resentment between races, religions, and cultures...," said Catherine Wright, spokeswoman for WFWP. "We feel that women have a special nature, a nurturing heart, that will be an important part of creating peace."

Joanne Cole, head of Capital Christians women's ministry, and Rabbi Sheryl Nosan-Blank, head of Temple Or-Rishon, became sisters of peace as well. "This has been very healing for the clergy in our community," said Rabbi Sheryl, while Joanne Cole mentioned, "we have done a good job creating walls between us, but I don't think it is what God wanted."

Mrs. Wright's introduction to the ceremony concluded with these words:
"Throughout the centuries, our three faith traditions have been in conflict with each other, but it is the core teachings of these same faith traditions, which now bring us together. The source of these traditions is the source of peace, the source of love, and the source of forgiveness."

Participants (left to right)

Catherine Wright, MC, spokesperson WFWP Sac. Valley
Rev. Alice Baber-Banks, Christian Fellowship Ministry Church
Jo Ann Solov, Congregation B'nai Israel
Dina El-Nakhal, Director of Communication, Council on American – Islamic Relations
Pastor Kathi McShane, First United Methodist Church
Mesha Davis, Public Affairs Media Representative, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Rukhsana Haq, Speakers bureau of the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims
Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen, Congregation Beth Shalom
Kauthar Abdel Azeez, Wife of Imam Azeez, SALAM
Durriya Syed, SALAM and Women's Interfaith Network
Rabbi Sheryl Nosan-Blank, Temple Or-Rishon
Joanne Cole, Head of Women's Ministry, Capital Christian Center
Michal Kohane, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Sacramento