PTWF is keenly aware of the concept of “the Gesture.” Mindful of this, we have used gestures in almost all of our projects to demonstrate something concrete, something one can see and feel, as a means to “pave the way” to positive relations and open paths to better understanding between the faiths. This is particularly important to children, in combating the intentional distortion of religious and prophetic texts, which has been used as a tool to teach bigotry and hatred. Food is the most basic of human needs, and helping provide for a newborn baby is a universal gesture of caring and could not be more fundamentally vital.
Personally managed through our advisors in Israel, famed sculptor Sam Philipe and Fr. Angelo Ison OFM, PTWF has begun a project, wherein basic baby supplies are made available to moms and families on public assistance in Israel. The difference is that our gifts are not restricted to one group. One third goes to Muslim moms, one third to Christian moms and one third to Jewish moms. We hope to expand this throughout the region. We are told by the welfare department that no one is helping in this critical area of need.
PTWF is currently seeking to advance this project by soliciting religious institutions to support the families of other religions. Churches will adopt a Jewish and Muslim family, Synagogues will adopt a Christian and Muslim family and Mosques will adopt a Christian and Jewish family. Each family will receive a six-month supply of baby formula and diapers for their child, and the supporting institutions will be able to meet the family and engage them if anyone travels to the region. The giving institution will receive a beautiful silver sculpture created by Sam Philipe as a thank you for their participation and generosity, along with press coverage on our website and with the international media.
If you, or someone you know wishes to sponsor a needy family, please email us at office@ptwf.org and let us know you wish to help. The cost of six months’ supply of baby formula, diapers and some toys is approximately $525.00 per family.
OUR DONORS for Project Baby- 100% of the money collected goes to this most important gesture:
- Pave the Way Foundation Board of Directors – for Jewish, Christian and Muslim Moms
- Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul– Birmingham Alabama- for Jewish and Muslim Moms
- Islamic Center of Long Island – for Jewish and Christian Moms
- Mr. Richard Kandel- New York – For Muslim and Christian Moms
- St. Brendan the Navigator Roman Catholic Church Shallotte N.C. – for Jewish and Muslim Moms
Christian and Muslim moms are given these much needed gifts of love through the help of Fr. Peter Vasko OFM, President of the Franciscan Foundation of the Holy Land and Fr. Angelo Ison, OFM Special Advisor to PTWF Jerusalem. This funding comes from the Islamic Center of Long Island as a gesture of good will and loving humanity.
Nick Drexel, Meredith Krupp and Sam Philipe of PTWF present some of the gift baskets to Mr. Alian Hamed, Director of the East Jerusalem Welfare Center. These are being given to needy Arab moms. One comment was that the moms couldn’t believe the thoughtfulness, concern and friendship the baskets represent. Right – Sam is greeted by Jewish recipients.
Merry Krupp and Sam Philipe distribute gifts to Jewish moms. The money for these packages came from the Islamic Center of Long Island, New York.
- Hebrew Gift Card from the Islamic Center and the Cathedral of St. Paul
- ENGLISH, ARABIC AND HEBREW LETTERS TO THE RECIPIENTS
Directors Gary and Meredith Krupp and Dan and Cyndi Buttafuoco plant three olive trees on the Mount of Olives to commemorate the three Abrahamic Faiths.
PTWF representative in Israel Sam Philipe delivers donated iPads to a school for disabled children.
“Operation Cleansweep” PTWF Director in Israel Sam Philipe, PTWF Advisor Mahmud Ashayer, and Youth Director Abdulla Kisswani in East Jerusalem initiated Operation Cleansweep. PTWF is hiring Israeli Palestinian kids from the Mount of Olives to clean the streets in East Jerusalem, which are full of garbage and debris.