Moving Together in the Pluralistic Spiritual Center
Moving Together – or Naot – was a day-long experience in the Pluralistic Spiritual Community Center. A diverse group of women, including village members and guests, started the day early with dance sessions that included warm-ups, followed by belly dancing and traditional Palestinian Dabke dancing. They were guided by Yasmin Guder, Nour Gharabli, and Orly Aruchas.
The participants had just a brief coffee and snack break, giving them a chance to meet one another, before the next session began – at 9:45. This was a writing session in which the women were encouraged to deeply explore self-expression and write about their experience and emotions.
Afterward there was time for a tour of the village and lunch – another opportunity for the women to talk and share their thoughts and feelings. The day ended with a closing session, in which women could share their experience with the entire group.
By offering such a wide variety of shared experience, says PSCC director Einat Betsalel, the vibrant atmosphere of movement, conversation, and connection, fostering a sense of unity and partnership among the participants.
Two Kids a Day
The movie evenings remain some of the most popular and meaningful events in the PSCC calendar. The film Two Kids a Day, shown in June, dealt with the subject of the arrests of Palestinian minors. The award-winning film, directed by David Wachsmann, follows the lives of four such children, their friendships, and their struggles within the context of a refugee camp and the wider Palestinian struggle for independence. Among other things, the film reveals the fact that around 700 Palestinian children are arrested each year in the OC, many of them near Jewish settlements, where they are accused of stone-throwing. As usual, the discussion following the film was deep and significant.
The PSCC is a center for community, and broader community activities. Over the spring and summer, these included mindfulness, meditation and movement workshops, as well as a host of other meetings, lessons and activities.
