The Face of Action

It all started in the streets of Jerusalem. Jerusalem has its own way of blending everything you thought you knew - all you understood about the gaps and connections between Hebrew and Arabic, Palestinians and Israelis, secular and religious, Muslims, Christians, and Jews, youth and elders, history and future. It holds infinite open wounds and infinite wounded openings, yet few tailors and seamstresses. It is not a highly sought-after profession in post-modern times.

Walking its streets on warm summer nights in the early 2000s, I encountered no small number of lost souls: street musicians, tormented artists, vibrant students, weary homeless folks, shedding dogs, gypsy flamenco dancers, 'good Jerusalem boys,' and square-dwellers in every shape and color. Above all, I saw young people and their tangles with the police. Though I hesitated between education and social work - and law school was the very last thing on my mind - the idea began to sprout within me to study law solely to represent children and youth. One of the 'street commanders' encouraged me in this new direction, saying with absolute conviction: 'Every time studies get hard, think of us and why you are doing what you are doing.'

I thought of them. And so, while still a law student, my personal phone turned into an informal "hotline" for all kinds of inquiries and requests. The recurring calls pointed to a profound gap between the existence of legal rights and the actual capacity to realize them - and to the need for guidance that is legal, but far more than legal.

Thus the work of the Peles Center was born, long before it had an official name, a location, or an organizational structure. It was officially established in 2019, with modest resources, a joint Jewish-Arab team, and in the most unexpected setting - the Old City, within the Anglican Church compound. Things that can happen only in Jerusalem.

Since then, the Peles Center has assisted hundreds of individuals and families every year - offering accompaniment, advice, and guidance in youth and child welfare, family law, National Insurance, senior citizens, disabilities, victims of terror, housing, healthcare, education, debt relief, and employment.