Review of “Encounter Point” by: Randy Henderson www.crosscrescentstar.org, 608.206.2968

“Encounter Point,” (watch the trailer) produced by Just Vision www.justvision.org, is a film that provokes questions about how peace will be made in Israel-Palestine. Robi, an Israeli mother bereaved of her son tells a group of suspicious Israeli settlers, “You may think reconciliation is really eccentric but it isn’t…it works.” Ali, a Palestinian young man whose brother was shot in cold blood by an Israeli soldier, who wads himself imprisoned, talks to Palestinian youth about non-violent movements for independence as a method…even as a tactic…to bring a just peace between Israel-Palestine and creation of an independant Palestinian state.
The film offers the viewer a wide range of scenery and cityscape that exposes the disparity between the new Israeli settlement buildings and the sliced up and segmented Palestinian territories swish-cheesed by the “security wall.” One ingenious element of the film was in introducing these areas from both an Israeli perspective (Israeli Settlement) and from the Palestinian perspective (occupied Palestinian territory). This provided a balance and realism to the understanding of the way in which people on both sides feel affected by the presence of the “other.”
The main focus and practice of the film was on interviews, on the “point” of “encounter.” Israelis and Palestinians “meeting for the first time” is a concept that most American or European viewers may not process as significant until it is shown just how rare and special such meetings are. A viewer experiences the grief, the humor, and the humanity of the individuals featured in this film who are Palestinians Muslim and Christian, Israelis Jewish and secular. – Randy Henderson
For those unable to make it, as well as for those who were there, this web log will be a personal reflection with pictures that I welcome all to view and add their own thoughts, reflections from the evening, or questions about the details
The Details and Sponsors:
The evening took place at Edgewood College Anderson Auditorium Thursday March 22nd and was a success in many ways. The goals that I had personally set were fulfilled as I witnessed 150-200 people experience this powerful film, conversation, and food together. It was a great experience planning this evening with others from the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities of Madison. Sponsors of the event were: Temple Beth El, The Congregation Shaarie Shamayim, The Islamic Community of Madison Area, The Madison Muslim Dawa Circle, The Catholic Diocese of Madison, Edgewood College, Marquette University, and Inroads Ministry.

*A wonderful article was written by Teresa Paprock that drew much attention of the public…great job! *The food and radio publicity was provided by Sabi Atteyih the owner of the Casbah restaurant and the host of W.O.R.T. FM 89.9 radio show “Salamat.” *Abigial Henderson provided assistance with photography (see pictures below) as well as promotion of the event with graphic design. *Randy Henderson served as the coordinator/organizer of this event who came into contact with Just Vision, the producers of this film after viewing a preview of the film at Marquette University’s Restorative Justice Conference November 13^th, 2006.

Why Bring Encounter Point To Madison?

(From left to right: Randy Henderson, Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Father John-Brian Paprock, Susanna Herro)
At 7:00 I approached the stage and was pleased to see so many people who came to this event on a Thursday evening. Upon reflection I remember seeing many friendly and familiar faces as well as many new faces that ventured out to be a part of the film showing, the conversation, and the wonderful food. I spoke for a few minutes about the hopelessness that is sold to us in the newspapers and on the television and that we often make assumptions about the conflict.

A common understanding of the violence between Israelis and Palestinians is that it’s a simple case of sibling rivalry that goes back thousands of years and has its roots in the dysfunctional Abrahamic family. This is from my perspective a cop-out, it disregards long periods of history in which Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived in peace, and is spiritually and intellectually lazy. I will continue to believe that peace making needs our support, and by support, I really do think this means shining a bright light on those doing the tough work in the Holy Land and in the Middle-East.
Revealing what these people are doing and turning the media onto these peace movements will amount to the intellectual and financial support peace-making movements as a viable method of solving conflict. “When the people lead, the leaders follow,” creating sound foreign policy and sound financial assistance that brings and supports dignity of the human person, which was crafted by God to respond to reconciliation and love of the “other” even the “enemy.”
I explained that this film had a powerful affect on myself and on my newfound friends who helped organize the evening. Lastly I walked the attendants through the plan for the evening: To hear from a few of the religious leaders of our community, to watch the film and discuss with the help of our esteemed facilitator Rev. Kenneth Pennings of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and then move upstairs to enjoy the wonderful Middle-Eastern cuisine prepared by Sabi Atteyih of the Casbah Restaurant.
Rabbi Jonathan Biatch spiritual leader of Temple Beth El, Father John-Brian Paprock pastor of the Syrian-Orthodox Mission Church, and Susanna Herro Director of the Office of Justice and Pastoral Outreach for the Catholic Diocese of Madison, all gave personable and challenging talks about the importance of the film and the importance of supporting dialogue. Each of these individuals put many hours and themselves into making the evening possible and the Madison community is blessed to have them working to bring wholeness into the lives of those whom they know, work with, and minister to.
During the Film:
Reactions to the film were not only visible but also audible. I saw tears forming in the eyes of people around me and saw heads nodding “yes,” “no,” and the familiar “I can’t believe it” motion. We shared in laughter at some moments in the film… sometimes a nervous laughter… other times at genuinely funny moments. It goes to show that even amidst such a serious topic that the human element was illuminated and purposefully featured in this film.
Most noticeable in the reaction of the crowd was a moment in the film in which Ali, a Palestinian young man devoted to non-violence, explained that a solution to making peace in the Holy Land possible had be found. With a broad smile he stated, “Any one who wants to smoke has to buy cigarettes from the other side…there’d be peace in a day!” The camera panned across the table as all three people smiled, nodded their heads in agreement, and simultaneously and slowly lit their cigarettes.
Having seen the film before I was not prepared to have such strong personal reactions again, but something about being with all these people was like seeing the film for the first time.
The Conversation Following the Film:
I personally wondered at whether a conversation would be awkward having just finished the film. Would people feel timid, nervous, or even overwhelmed? All of these feelings would be natural and so I had prepared to transition us all upstairs to the food where perhaps conversation would come more naturally.

The conversation was, however, anything but timid and I realized quickly that many who came are used to articulating their opinions and sharing their viewpoint and the points brought up were heart-felt and varied.

There were many who spoke from personal experience, some Palestinians and Israelies, others who have traveled to the area, and others who have ties or family to Israel-Palestine. This provided a real sense of authenticity to the experience for all who attended. On a personal level it was a real sense of gratitude that those who this issue affects most, were willing to be present and lend their wisdom and their thoughts and feelings.

Also a “shout out” to Rev. Ken Pennings is a must as he helped the conversation move along and was able to help reflect the many feelings and viewpoints that were voiced at the end of the film viewing. Good work Ken, and many thanks to all who took a risk in sharing their own reactions and inviting others to respond.

At 9:15 we moved upstairs to a beautiful round room featuring a variety of delicious food, the Casbah’s uniquely creamy hummus, mixed olives and feta cheese, falafel, flat bread, and baklava.

Tables were set out with resources on how a person could take a next step in supporting the work of Just Vision, peace-movements, and continuing education on interreligious cooperation and conflict resolution. It was a great chance to mix and meet many people from many different backgrounds.

Yet another personal note, my sister Julie, my mother Joanne, and my wife Abby made this evening especially memorable for me. We experienced something very profound together and will be able for years to come, to recall the many different ways that each of us “saw” “heard” and “tasted” the evening.

I would invite anyone who came to speak for themselves here on this web log so that many who were unable to come or are viewing this in a another city perhaps entertaining the idea of a similar event might understand what a quality evening we spent together.

And now let’s hear from you…

First and foremost, welcome. As you may have been directed here from my website www.crossandcrescent.org you will realize that this blog is a place I will use to share with you my experiences and journies in the area of intereligious dialog/events in Madison Wisconsin and beyond. My hopes are that you comment, ask questions, perhaps even begin to challenge OUR presumptions (Yours and Mine) regarding the possibilities of peace in the world, waged by people of faith.

Who am I? I am a midwesterner, a Roman Catholic, 30 years old, married (to my soulmate Abby), progressive citizen of the USA, and have become interested in interreligious dialogue and in making new friends from different faiths.

Who are the Palestinians to the world?

Last weekend I had the privilidge of attending a “Friends of Sabeel” conference in Cleveland Ohio.

Sabeel is an arabic word which means “the way” as well as “flowing spring of water.” Both are referenced in the New Testament and in early Christian history. “The Way” was a phrase to describe the teachings of Christ among early Christians, and the “flowing spring of water” finds itself within the story of “living water” that Jesus offers the Samaritan women at the well.

New Friends
I was honored and grateful to have been taken very good care of by my new friends Samir and Maurlene who picked me up at the airport in Cleveland. Both had glowing and enlightened faces and greeted me as if I was family. They also exemplified “hospitality” as they made me very comfortable in their vibrantly decorated and warm home with a soft bed, filling breakfast, and engaging conversation. If you read this Samir or Maurlene: God Bless You! Abby and I look forward to visiting you sometime, hopefully sooner rather than later.

The Conference

“Arab Christians?, I didn’t know there was such a thing?” This comment represents a widely held world-view that the conflicts in the Middle East (The Holy Land included) are between Arabs and Jews, or put another way, between Muslims and Jews…or between one religion and another…you get the idea.

The Sabeel Conference, of which there are many all over the country, focused on what is called Palestinian Liberation Theology. For my Christian friends the phrase “Liberation Theology” should ring some bells as a great movement of liberation theology was born in Central and South America. The idea behind it is that Christ gives Christians examples on how conflict is to be dealt with not only internally but externally, even politically, as well.

Well…despite what you may or may not know about the conflict in Israel-Palestine, corruption, oppression, and dehumanization are three words that apply and have been applyed by militant parties on many sides (there are more than two) of the conflict.

Liberation theology for Christian Palestinians, which by the way equal 140,000-150,000, is about equipping people with the resources to bring about a just peace. The conference provides fabulous speakers from around the USA and the world who were able to discuss the difficult issues such as ending the occupation, identifying the religious dimensions that lead toward violence and militancy, as well as reviewing the history(ies) that have come to inform our culture and society on the conflict from 1948-present

Why was this conference, why is Sabeel Important?

In short: The conference supplied its attendants with examples of non-violent, pro-active, love-embracing, Christ- centered ways in which the conflict WILL be resolved and in what ways we as citizens of the United States contribute to the problem, and how we may be a part of the solution.

What did I gain from this Experience?

You know, the older I get and the more experiences I have I become more sure everyday that relationships are the best teachers and the greatest treasures we may ever find in this earthly life. I not only learned more about the human-God relationship that is forged in buidling the Kingdom of God through non-violent resistance and intereligious dialog but also and more importantly…

I gained some new friends: Samir and Maurlene, Jeff, Don, Mahaba, and many more who struggle to bring a just peace to the conflict in the Holy Land. I met Jews, Muslims, and Christians who are able to profess together the belief in ONE God, that demands justice, but only through peaceful life-producing ways….some from Sabeel would say through, “The Way.”