Musalaha in Israel and Palestine Update
Walls divide, but bridges connect; and sometimes the people who are building those bridges might surprise you.
In Israel, where walls divide the land, it’s the young people who are choosing to build bridges. In early July, the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour, just outside of Bethlehem, opened its doors once again to host Musalaha's Summer Camp, with 110 children, ages 6 to 12, Muslim and Christian alike, gathered under the theme "We Are Building the Future."
For five days, the school was a vibrant space of learning, creativity, and friendship. Games, workshops, team challenges, and art helped children build trust, discover the strength of working together, and experience the joy of belonging to a community that embraces differences.
This year took on a different focus: trauma healing. Organizers recognized the weight of war affects not just daily routines, but young spirits too. Every activity and story circle was designed to offer safety and resilience, affirming that children deserve not only to be seen, but to heal.
Among the most memorable days of camp was one spent celebrating Palestine — its culture, heritage, and people. Through songs, traditional dress, dance, food, and shared experiences, the children got a glimpse of traditional Palestinian life. For the local community, these moments carry profound significance: they affirm identity, preserve traditions, and create spaces where children can celebrate who they are with joy and pride, and ensure culture remains a living source of resilience, hope, and unity.
Camp wouldn’t be possible without the people behind the scenes. More than 35 volunteers and interns offered not just time, but full-hearted presence — walking the extra mile, sitting one-on-one, listening, playing, and loving. An extraordinary team of young adult leaders, standing at the threshold between youth and adulthood themselves, brought every activity to life with enthusiasm and unwavering dedication. They became mentors and companions, demonstrating through their own relationships that reconciliation is not an abstract ideal, but a way of living.
"I watched my own daughters eagerly counting down each day, and I knew we had to give 110%. For all of us — leaders, volunteers, and myself — this wasn't merely a program; it was a calling, rooted in our Christian faith. As Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,' and Psalm 127 reminds us, 'Children are a heritage from the Lord.' This is why we give our all," reflected Saleem, the project manager.
The impact was immediate. Parents reached out to share how their children felt cared for, seen, and truly valued.
"I remember a child coming up to me, his eyes filled with gratitude, offering a simple 'thank you,' and in that moment, I saw exactly why we do this,” said Saleem.
These young leaders reminded the children that the future is not something to wait for — it is something we create together, one act of trust, kindness, and courage at a time.
This is the strength of Musalaha: year after year, it creates spaces where relationships grow stronger than fear, where hope takes root through everyday encounters, and where a new generation discovers that peace is built through listening and walking alongside one another.
This camp is more than just the five days — it is a foundation being built together, rooted in faith, hope, and a shared mission. These are the hands that will shape tomorrow, not because they have been told to, but because they have been given the opportunity to believe that a different future is possible, and the confidence to begin building it today.
The Impact
In addition to summer camp, throughout the year Musalaha, which translates as reconciliation in Arabic, teaches, trains, and facilitates reconciliation among individuals from diverse ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. The core focus is reconciliation among Israelis and Palestinians. Currently, Musalaha is working with five unique groups of people, totaling more than 100 active participants.
Each individual touched by the work of Musalaha represents a new opportunity for someone else to build a bridge instead of a wall.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation seeks gifts to support the mission and ministry of Musalaha in Israel and Palestine. All gifts of any size are welcome. You may send a check to The Outreach Foundation with “Musalaha” on the memo line, or make an online gift at www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
