Nothing Will Rain on Our Parade!

Umm L Fahem, Israel

February 4, 2003

Umm L Fahem in Wadi Ara, Israel, is the Arab village sited as epicenter for the beginning of Intifada in September 2000. In Wadi Ara, a main thoroughfare, traffic signals and street lamps were destroyed, while rocks were thrown continuously at cars passing through on their way to and from the Northern Galilee to the Center of the country.

I myself was performing at a festival in the North of the country the day the Intifada began. The road was shut and I could not return home.

Fast forward: two years later. Some one hundred Jews and Arabs gathered in the park high atop the hills of Umm L Fahem overlooking a picturesque valley. Cold swept the faces of women, men and children as we gathered under the pergola to ward off the rain, praying for dry weather to accompany our silent peace walk through the city streets.

As we formed the large opening circle, a rainbow appeared through the stormy clouds in the distance. We joyously welcomed the act of nature as a sign good omen for the upcoming trek.

Silently, we formed a single file line, Jew, Arab, Jew, Arab, each draped with a simple white ribbon signifying our common call for non-violence… One by one we left the park and entered the city streets. People came out of the stores and their homes to watch the curious appearance of this silent mixed crowd. Fliers were handed to the curious and interested ones. My smiling eyes met those of several mothers, children in tow who watched from their doorsteps. One woman, reaching upwards, raised her arms, eyes aimed toward the sky, crying “Salaam, A’ Salaam!” (Peace… Peace!). I was so moved by her simple prayer.

Shortly thereafter, thunder and lightning clapped through the sky shooting cold pellets of wet hail, which soaked through our clothes and limbs, but certainly not our spirits. No one could rain on our parade! We gathered under a large pavilion to wait for the rain to abet. We formed another circle and concentrated our energy on the healing vibration of cosmic sound - focused into and sung from the heart. The sun briefly appeared through the clouds, and we silently took off again, hearts warmed by the vibration of our simple song.

The line weaved its way through downtown, people ever more attracted by the people walking through the wet, sloshy streets, silent smiles dancing across their face. Drivers sitting in the traffic curiously opened their car windows to request a brochure. After an hour or so of walking we arrived to the dry and warm school hall, where a nourishing meal awaited us all. The delicious feast of soup, rice, lentils, salads, tabboule, coffee and tea warmed our sopping bodies as well as our hearts.

The wise Sufi Sheikh from Nazareth reminded us all that the most important factor for creating peace is removing hatred from our heart. This is a practical tip for each and every one of us to practice on a daily basis; first and foremost, in relationship to ourselves, and then, in our interactions with others.

No one can rain on your parade when you are grounded and centered in the sunshine of your heart!