Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumArabs donate wood to rebuild Haifa synagogue
Israeli-Arab businessmen who were asked to give an estimate to help repair damage caused to a synagogue in Haifa due to the massive fires there have said they will carry out the project pro-bono, and refuse any compensation for the restoration work.
"I decided to help and not receive any payment," said Walid abu-Ahmed, a wood panel supplier based in Haifa. "Jews and Arabs live together in Haifa, and there is no discrimination. We must continue with this co-existence and promote peace."
The third floor of the conservative Moriah synagogue in the Ahuza area of the city was burned in the fires which raged there on Thursday. The Rabbi of the synagogue, Dovi Hiyon, was also looking for new wooden tables to replace the ones which were destroyed in the fire. He went to carpenter Shachar Sela, who agreed to work pro-bono, but wanted payment for the materials.
The carpenter went to several wood suppliers before reaching out to abu-Ahmad and Ziad Yunis. When abu-Yunis heard what the wood was to be used for, he decided to give the wood free of charge.
(snip)
Gadi Gvaryahu, Chairman of Tag Meir an organization which encourages inter-faith dialogue said "we need to extend our outreach to the majority of the Israeli-Arab population which is interested in co-existence. The wood supplier and the carpenter are a better representation of the Israeli-Arab population than the extremists."
Abu-Ahmed added that Islam is a religion of forgiveness. "We are all people," he said. "I call on all citizens Arabs and Jews everywhere to continue to live in co-existence. We all want to live happy lives.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4886966,00.html
nycbos
(6,308 posts)question everything
(48,723 posts)Good to have you here.
nycbos
(6,308 posts)... but I have been here for awhile. Lost my user name and password after the site was hacked. Thought it would be safer to use a new one
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)The pictures of the aftermath of these fires were horrific. Thankfully there are those who know the only way through this type of event is together.