Jerusalem's Musical Movement for Peace and Inclusion

Jerusalem inspires transformative conversations through music, uniting voices for inclusion amidst conflict.

### Building Bridges Through Music: A Palestinian-Israeli Youth Chorus's Vision for Peace
* 🎶  Mers, a musician, leads a Palestinian-Israeli youth chorus in Jerusalem, using music to **foster dialogue and understanding**.
* 🇮🇱🇵🇸  The group acknowledges the challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but believes in the **power of changing mindsets through music**.
* 🕊️  While they can't single-handedly stop wars, they aim to **challenge the narratives that perpetuate conflict**.
* 🎵  The chorus's original song, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the Garden," reflects on the **impact of war on youth** and the need for a **different future**.
* 🌿  The lyrics convey a message of **hope** and the shared responsibility for **building a better tomorrow**.
* 🧑‍🤝‍🧑  Despite the difficult conversations and differing opinions within the group, they believe in the **transformative potential** of their work.
* 🔗  By creating a space for **dialogue and empathy**, the chorus hopes to contribute to a future of **inclusion and peace** in Jerusalem and beyond.

Hi, my name is Mers. Jerusalem is a place in Israel where our voices are raised for inclusion. Jerusalem is a city of differing opinions about the future. It creates a container in which transformative conversations can happen—very hard conversations, even between people who have been raised to be enemies. Through music, we are able to express the impact of these encounters.

I am a musician, and so I execute a vision to create a singing movement. Our home is not defined by the song that is shared with you; it was written by our singers. The violence in October and the last war are just horrifying examples of how Israelis and Palestinians are pitted against each other by extreme leaders who need to be normal.

We know that as a Palestinian-Israeli youth chorus, we do not single-handedly have the power to stop war, but we also know that the reason wars exist is because people think in a different way.

There is a girl who is the most beautiful in the garden, with the saddest eyes. She stands in a ruin that was once a garden, and she calls out to all those.

שהילדה הכי יפה בגן, משערה עוד רחש. But when the day is done, what will be left behind? Only you and me, our future. We feel each other because of you. I know we must choose a different way. And when the day is done, what will be left? Only you and me, the future. We feel each other because of you. I know we must choose a different way.

An Anthem for Peace and Justice From Israeli and Palestinian Youth | Jerusalem Youth Chorus | TED

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Music as a Catalyst for Inclusion in Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city of differing opinions, creating a space for transformative conversations between people raised as enemies.

The musician's vision to create a singing movement is driven by the singers' experiences, aiming to address the violence and division caused by extreme leaders.

The Palestinian-Israeli youth chorus recognizes their limitations in stopping war but believes that changing perspectives is key to preventing conflict.

The beautiful girl in the garden leaves a lasting impression.

The connection between two people deepens, creating a sense of shared future.

Despite the strong bond, they recognize the need to choose a different path.