In a corner of the main ground of the primary school yard, a unique bell hangs from a pole (just out of the reach of children’s sticks). This is a Peace Bell. What is a Peace Bell? Since 2018, singer and artist Michael Patrick Kelly has been casting full-sized and mini–Peace Bells from scrap metal left from WWI ordinance.
In 2021, Kelly brought one of his large Peace Bells to the Sylt art fair in Germany. Wahat al Salam Neve Shalom members Evi and Eyas Guggenheim Shbeta were onstage with him. As part of his ongoing project, Kelly had been raising funds since 2018, through the sale of “mini-Peace Bells,” to benefit Wahat al Salam Neve Shalom. A highlight of the Sylt event was the presentation of the proceeds from this campaign to WASNS members Evi and Eyas Guggenheim Shbeta, who represented the village at the event. They were invited to speak about the outreach educational peace work for which all the funds will be applied.
Inspired by the Jewish-Palestinian love story of Evi and Eyas Gugenheim Shbeta – which encapsulates, in a way, the story of Arab-Jewish life in Wahat al Salam Neve Shalom – Kelly has been selling the mini–Peace Bells to raise funds for the peace-directed binational educational work carried out in the village. The large version of the bell accompanies Kelly on tour, and he strikes it onstage before observing a minute of silence in his concerts. The Peace Bell project, as described by Kelly, becomes a meeting point for everyone who has recognized the importance of cohesion in our world full of turmoil, division and war. The project promotes tolerance and international understanding at the cultural and educational level. As such it has gained wide support as well as sponsorship by the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie.
Kelly, Evi and Eyas met onstage at the Sylt Art Fair, a prestigious, month-long event in Germany. Dr. Michael Jarzembowski, of the Board of Directors of the German Association of Friends of Neve Shalom Wahat al Salam, made the long trip to Sylt to be there for the occasion. A surprise awaited Evi and Eyas as they stood onstage to accept the check from Kelly in the name of the What al-Salam Neve Shalom and to say a few words about the peace outreach projects the money will fund. They were presented with a second check – a large colorful one in a gold cardboard envelope. This one was from the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, which donates a portion of its revenue to charities across Germany and beyond.
The Peace Bell hanging in the school courtyard came back with Evi and Eyas from Sylt. It is a reminder that peace starts with individuals, and that the story of one couple’s love can ring out around the world.
