Honoring Rabbi Menachem Froman

Rabbi Menachem Froman, pioneer in dialogue with the Muslim world, is ill with cancer. “Eretz Shalom” is the peace movement the Rabbi initiated, promoting dialogue and co-operation. Some of the Jewish members of “Eretz Shalom” advocate continuing to live in their homes in the West Bank as Jewish citizens in a future state of Palestine.

Eretz Shalom hosted an event to honor the legacy of Rabbi Froman on Feb. 25, 2011 at the Tzavta theater in Tel Aviv. Joining were 100 Israelis and Palestinians, including residents from the West Bank. Palestinian and Israeli musicians performed including Ehud Banai, Barry Sakharov and Shlomo Gronich. Blessings were offered by national poets of Israel A.B. Yehoshua and Amos Oz, Rabbi Melchior and Sheikhs Abdel Salaam and Ghassan Manasra.

Rabbi Froman’s close friend and Muslim partner is Haj Ibrahim Abuelhawa. Throughout the rabbi’s illness, hospital stays, Ibrahim has been at his side. In May 2011, Rabbi Froman married his son, groom Tzuri Shalom. Even in frail condition, Rabbi Froman stood on his feet to offer his blessings at the huppah and later to get up from his wheelchair to dance with Haj Ibrahim at the wedding celebration.

Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerusalem_peacemakers/sets/72157627209237971/

Eretz Shalom
http://www.eretzshalom.org/