Bridging Divides: Upcoming Events, Reflections and Conversations
EVENT | The 20th Israeli – Palestinian Joint Memorial Day Ceremony
The Forgiveness Project shares many stories from the pioneering joint Israeli-Palestinian organisation, Parents Circle-Families Forum.
For this reason we are partnering with UK Friends of the Parents Circle - Families Forum to bear witness to a profound Joint Memorial Day Ceremony that brings Israelis and Palestinians together in shared grief and shared hope.
At a time of such deep polarization bringing together those who have suffered from both sides of the conflict has sadly become deeply controversial. Held on the eve of Memorial Day for Israeli fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, the joint ceremony aims to encourage both sides to stand together — mourning side by side, calling for a future of peace, safety, and freedom for all. The Forgiveness Project is proud to be involved in the 20th Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony.
Date & Time: Tuesday 29th April 2025 at 6pm - 9pm BST
Location: St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace, London, UK
We will be joined by a variety of other organisations, and will also hear from Israeli and Palestinian guest speakers in a moment of shared remembrance of the innocent lives lost.
Please pre-register below if you are interested in attending this event in London.
THEATRE | Celebrating the Success of Punch
Punch goes to Parliament!
On Monday, March 24th, our Executive Director, Sandra Barefoot, storyteller, Joan Scourfield, and Creative Strategist, Jacob Dunne were invited to an event at the House of Commons in London, UK, in celebration of Punch, a play written by James Graham as an adaptation of Jacob’s memoir, Right from Wrong.
Hosted by Labour MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, the event highlighted the immense power of storytelling in raising the profile of significant issues, such as restorative justice, which is the central theme of the play. It was also a fantastic opportunity to discuss the power of the arts as a whole.
Reflecting on the reception, Sandra says the following:
“As I listened to James Graham’s speech, he reminded me of the findings of research conducted by neuroscientists in UCL in 2017 that suggested alongside individuals’ emotional responses, the audience members’ hearts were also responding in unison, with their pulses speeding up and slowing down at the same rate.
The study also highlighted that when an environment makes people synchronise their bodies with each other, such as a theatre auditorium, it can cause them to bond and in turn like each other more. This suggests that going to the theatre can connect individuals on a deeper level, enhancing social bonds between people more powerfully than previously thought.
With standing ovations being witnessed every night since Punch came into performance, the collective heartbeat of hope, courage, kindness, and possibility experienced feels one of the most important places for our hearts to reside in right now.”
Living Well – Beyond the Tragedy: A Post-Show Conversation at the Young Vic Theatre
The above reception followed a special post-show discussion entitled Living Well – Beyond the Tragedy, which took place on March 11th at the Young Vic in London, England.
The conversation explored resilience, transformation, and the ways people find hope and meaning after profound loss and adversity. It also delved into the ripple effect of harm, showing how trauma affects families, communities, and generations.
The panel was facilitated by our Executive Director, Sandra Barefoot who, alongside Jacob, was joined by storytellers Anne-Marie Cockburn and Dunia Shafik.
Sandra says:
“I believe the arts is one of the most powerful ways we can share stories, and connect as a collective of people who have all shared an experience where as James Graham quoted in his speech Punch is testament to this. For this post show discussion, it was astonishing to witness two-thirds of audience members stay to listen and contribute to our post show discussion.”
These celebrations of Punch’s success come in light of the amazing news that the play will be transferring to the Apollo Theatre on London’s West End from the 22nd of September through to the 29th of November of this year. This coincides with its premiere on Broadway, New York, where it will open during the Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2025-2026 season this Autumn. Further information, including tickets, will become available this Summer.
BOOK | Conversations on Kindness by Bernadette Russell
Recently, Sandra and Marina, our Founder, were interviewed by Bernadette Russell for her newest publication Conversations on Kindness.
Bernadette was a participant of our online course The Transformative Power of Storytelling – Working with Lived Experience, which we led during COVID in 2021. As a result of her participation with us, she was inspired to explore our perspectives on forgiveness and kindness.
In the book, Bernadette explores the deeper possibilities of kindness through a variety of conversations with scientists, artists, other activists and academics, and concludes that kindness is a powerful driver for healing, understanding and significant positive change – especially when life feels at its hardest.
Conversations on Kindness can be purchased via the button below.
IN REFLECTION | Forgiveness and Criminal Justice
On Thursday, 13th of March, our Executive Director, Sandra Barefoot was joined by our Creative Strategist, Jacob Dunne, eminent forensic psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Adshead, and two of our storytellers, Anne-Marie Cockburn and Dunia Shafik, for an online inquiry exploring forgiveness and criminal justice.
The event was an enormous success, and we are deeply appreciative of our panel of speakers for their collective wisdom and also to our attendees, many of whom shared some insightful reflections.
“Thank you so much as always for all who contributed to this thoughtful discussion. I feel a lot of hope and inspiration, and I have learned new angles and ideas to help build more connection in this world.” - Event Attendee
One reflection that resonated so powerfully for us all was this quote shared by Gwen, from Father Gregory Boyle:
“Systems change when people change, and people change when they are cherished. Cherishing is love with its sleeves rolled up. There is something about it that is truly active, truly engaged. It's what relational wholeness is always about where you’re cherishing people.”
Further, Anne-Marie shared these words:
“These conversations carry an energy that left me both awestruck and deeply moved by what can unfold in such a short time. Forgiveness is an ongoing inquiry - a barometer of healing, a reflection of the human condition, and an act of self-love.”
We wish to extend huge thanks to all the panelists for their insights and guidance in discussion, and to our attendees for their interest and engagement.
EXHIBITION | The F Word at St Edmundsbury Cathedral
We are delighted to see the Stand version of our F Word exhibition on show at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds, England, as part of the cathedral’s Lent programme.
The exhibition is on show alongside a huge set of events framed around their Lent theme, which is inspired by the book Unforgivable? Exploring the Limits of Forgiveness by Reverend Dr Stephen Cherry, Dean of Kings College Cambridge.
We want to extend a huge thank you to the staff and organisers at St Edmundsbury Cathedral for choosing our exhibition. You can find out more information via the button below.