| |  | September 2022 Check out the latest opportunities and events from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). | | | | Recent Advocacy Summit: In August, CEMP led an Advocacy Summit called Accountability Matters: Advocate for Palestinian Children and Families. The Summit focuses on two pieces of legislation: 1) the Palestinian Children and Families Act (HR 2590), a bill that would prohibit US assistance to Israel from being used to violate the human rights of Palestinian children, or to illegally demolish Palestinian property or annex Palestinian land; 2) the Justice for Shireen Act, proposed legislation that would require a U.S. investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. On August 9, CMEP hosted a webinar highlighting the issues addressed by HR 2590, and on August 11, CMEP led a training on advocating with members of Congress. Dozens of people registered for the Summit, and CMEP continues to work with them to support their meetings with their Senators and Representatives. Several Hill meetings have already taken place, or are in the works. | | | | | | | | Prayers4Peace: Prayers for Peace (P4P) is CMEP's bi-monthly blog, and provides a way for Christians of diverse political and theological backgrounds to stand up for peace and unite in supplication to God with a special focus on prayers for the Holy Land. Prayers for Peace provides Jesus’ followers with the common language of prayer around which to mobilize their energy and passion for the land that gave birth to our faith. Prayers4Peace also provides us an opportunity to highlight the work of our Board member denominations and organizations. What is P4P: Revisited? At Churches for Middle East Peace, we understand that the work of holistic peacebuilding and advocacy is ongoing, and sometimes, the issues we faced in the past are still present with us today in a variety of ways. With Prayers4Peace: Revisited we would like to occasionally share some of our previous Prayers4Peace blogs with you that we believe are still important messages to us today. We hope that you are encouraged as you continue supporting in prayer those working towards a just peace in Israel, Palestine, and the broader Middle East. | | | | | | | | | | Action Alerts: Tell Congress: Cosponsor HRes 751 In the middle of the night on August 18, 2022, Israeli forces raided and ordered closed the offices of the 6 Palestinian Human Rights organizations it earlier designated as “terrorist groups.” Right now it is urgent for Congress to speak out against the attack on human rights defenders in Palestine. Ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor HRes 751, a resolution introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum opposing the declaration of these respected human rights groups as “terrorist organizations.” Learn more and take action. | | | | | | | | Intern with CMEP: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) seeks inquisitive, independent, and enthusiastic interns interested in working for peace regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through supporting and equipping grassroots advocacy and education. Interns receive mentoring and valuable experience through their internship. Interns are essential to our work and receive mentoring and valuable experience through their internship.
Internship focuses include: Communications, Development, Non-Profit Administration, Church Engagement, Advocacy, and Government Affairs. Internships are available remotely or in our Washington, D.C. office. Interested applicants can apply by sending PDFs of their cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to applications@cmep.org. We accept applications on a rolling basis until positions are filled. (suggested spring application deadline is November 15) This is a volunteer internship. | | | | | | Meet the Academics of CMEP: Register to meet the Academics of CMEP on September 29, 2022 at Noon Eastern via Zoom to learn about the work each is doing. We’ll hear from: - Tala Raheb: Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow & a Ph.D. candidate in West and South Asian Religions (WSAR) at Emory University
- Ben Norquist: Research Assistant & a PhD candidate in Higher Education, Azusa Pacific University
- Jennifer Maidrand: Outreach Manager & a Ph.D. candidate in Bible and Cultures at Drew University
- Kevin Vollrath: Manager of Middle East Partnerships & a Ph.D. candidate in Religion and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary
- Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon: Executive Director & holds both a Ph.D. in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies from the University of California (Davis) and a D.Min in Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Northern Theological Seminary
| | | | | | | | CMEP Study Guide: A Land Full of God: We are excited to share CMEP’s newly released study guide for A Land Full of God, edited by Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. The book contains over 30 comprehensive essays about the historical, political, religious, and geographical tensions that have led to many of the dynamics we see in Israel and Palestine today. Consider using the study guide for a small group or book study in your congregation this Fall! | | | | | | | | Press Releases: August 5, 2022: Press Release: In Memoriam – Dr. Ron Sider
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) grieves the news of the passing of Dr. Sider and stands alongside our member organization Christians for Social Action (CSA) as they respond to the loss of their founder and friend. | | | | | | | | Public Statements: August 17, 2022: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) calls on U.S. Government to address underlying causes of Israeli violence against Gaza CMEP calls on the US government to work to preserve the ceasefire and to insist Israel ends its 15-year blockade of Gaza, an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, and an act of collective punishment that has turned Gaza into the world’s largest open-air prison. The U.S. must stop enabling Israeli impunity in violating human rights and humanitarian law, and instead, work toward a comprehensive and enduring end to the conflict that will result in human rights and equality for all Israelis and Palestinians. | | | | | | | | CMEP in the News: Mental Health in Palestine: Collective Trauma and Storytelling Under Occupation, Tala Raheb, Ambassador Warren Clark Fellow at CMEP, Medium, August 15, 2022. CMEP's Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, joined other Christian Leaders in signing a statement of solidarity with the Maronite Patriarch Rai and Archbishop Mousa El-Hajj in light of the Archbishop’s unjust detention by Lebanese authorities. IDC Religious Advisory Board Stands in Solidarity with Maronite Patriarch Rai and Archbishop Mousa El-Hajj, EIN News, July 29, 2022. United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, NGO Action News, July 28, 2022. | | | | | | | | Contact Us Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 311
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
(202) 543-1222 info@cmep.org | | | | | | | |
