A few days before the new year, Sderot children from the Alon Madaim Elementary School took the time to write letters and and color drawings illustrating their hopes for peace and quiet for 2010. “We are all human beings that want peace in the world, we don’t want Qassams, death or fear,” wrote second-grader, Shahar Ohayon, to the children of Gaza.
The letters were written in the context of The Sderot Rally for Hope, held on December 31st, where Sderot residents, area officials and international youth alongside the Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, Yuli Edelstein marched to a viewpoint outside of Sderot. Organized by Sderot Media Center, the rally marked a year to Operation Cast Lead, and demonstrated Sderot residents’ desire for an end to terror and war in the new decade. At the viewpoint, Sderot children released white balloons with some of the letters attached towards Gaza.
“Both of us are children and living in war situations. I hope that there will be peace and that one day we will be able to meet and play together and be happy,” wrote 11-year old Daniel, from Sderot.
Around 60 Sderot children took part in the letter writing project, ranging from first to sixth grade. Drawings of doves, banners of peace, children playing together and Israeli and Palestinian flags colored many of the drawings.
“I was thrilled to have our students participate in this project. I hope that at least a few of the letters made it to Gaza,” Leora Fima, the principal of Alon Madaim Elementary School recently told Sderot Media Center.
The following are some translations of the Hebrew letters that the Sderot children addressed to the children of Gaza.
Daniel, Grade 6
A sweet year is a year without war, a year of fun to do everything!
For example: to play, sing, dance, and more…
May you have a year of quiet and calm, a year of quiet days. If only we could play together, and enjoy togther life and do many things together.
Meital, Grade 4
Shalom to the Children of Gaza,
I understand your difficult situation. Both of us are children and living in war situations. I hope that there will be peace and that one day we will be able to meet and play together and be happy. I wish you a good and quiet year.
Hope to see you!
Shahar, Grade 2
Shalom dear children of Gaza,
I, Shachar want to tell you that we can be good friend because we are all brothers and children. We are all human beings that want peace in the world, we don’t want Qassams, death or fear.
I also hope that you like us, want quiet and peace and that one day we will meet when there is peace. May we all merit a quiet and beautiful childhood. I will be happy to meet you.”
Lenoy, Grade 4
Shalom to the children of Gaza,
I know that you are suffering just like us and I hope that we will have peace because both sides are suffering and maybe we willl meet and play and I hope the year will be peaceful.
*All images are property of the Sderot Media Center. Images may not be copied or reused in any way unless authorized permission is given from Sderot Media Center.
This is child abuse – teaching children that the proper response to you sworn killers is to give them blessings – nothing could be less Jewish – are you kidding me? why not just give arafat massages or maybe send roses to bin laden – this is truly insane – can’t we allow the next generation to grow up wanting to eliminate our enemy – perhaps J-street is now funding SMC – this was the last thing I will ever do on this site – used to donate – now I will not support this anymore – child abuse…