Story: Jerusalem Celebration of Light!
I was honored to be the coordinator of the Jerusalem Celebration of Light Gathering for 12 years! What an adventure we had each year at this two-day festival. Many hundreds of radiant, beautiful, wonderful people attended.
The purpose of our gathering was to send a collective burst of light and peace to Jerusalem and all of creation. The Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony was the way we focused and sent out our blessings.
The gathering took place in the Jerusalem Forest on a hilltop called Mitzpeh Kerem (Hirbet Hamame). It is located just behind the Holocaust Memorial, The Valley of the Communities, at Yad Vashem.
Mitzpeh Kerem is not just any hilltop. It is an Earth Energy Vortex. This means that this part of Planet Earth sends out an extra strong and unique vibration of earth energy. It has two parts:
• A solid natural rock semicircle, with an opening in the center, that I call “Grandmother Circle”.
• A unique rock formation and stone cove on the peak of the hill, where there is a near panoramic view of Jerusalem and the surrounding hills.
During the gathering, we utilized the strong earth energy coming out of this hill, combined with the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony to help intensify our radiant light into the world.
How It Started:
After coming to Jerusalem in 1993, I met a continuous flow of people who, like myself, had a deep passion for peace. I named us “Peace People”.
We met many times to discuss how our group could bring a greater amount of light into our world, and stimulate the spirit of peace in Jerusalem. During these meetings, we realized that communication and respect are the keys to creating peaceful relationships with our neighbors.
After consideration, we came up with the idea of having a two-day light gathering in Jerusalem on the full moon in the spring. We invited everyone we knew to join us. Peace people from Israel, Palestine, and around the world attended. Rather than charge a fee, we asked participants to make a financial love offering to help cover our expenses.
In preparation, we created a schedule of events. Someone volunteered to be in charge of the kitchen, another person made signs, and we considered everything we needed for a gathering of about 100 people. We decided when and where to have the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremonies and other activities.
The first day of the gathering we were really happy as we watched a constant flow of excited Peace People arrive on the hilltop. Many more than the 100 people we expected attended! This gathering turned into a festival of light – vibrant, radiant!
During the 12 years, each gathering built upon the previous year’s gathering. This developed a very refined quality of light in the peace people who attended and created a very strong peace team. Each year, the attendance varied between 300 and 1,500 peace people.
During Jerusalem Celebration of Light, I led many Energy Ball for Peace Ceremonies.
The first ceremony was Friday midday:
• It brought together helper energy, honoring those who had spent time preparing for the gathering.
• It was a time to bless those who were traveling to Mitzpeh Kerem (Hirbet Hamame) and the gathering.
• It initiated Grandmother Circle as a Sacred Space, and the central location for all the participants to assemble.
At Sunset, the entire group came together at Grandmother Circle for a Collective Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony, which led into a singing Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming in of the Sabbath). It was a festive bringing in of the Shekinah (the Sabbath Bride) and the spirit of peace! We sang, danced, prayed, and sent out a large burst of light energy to Jerusalem and the world.
At midnight on the top of the hill of Mitzpeh Kerem, the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony guided us into a deep meditation, and connected us with the Mystical Earth Energy Vortex.
The ceremony on Shabbat (Saturday) morning brought together the intention of the day. We prepared the energy of the camp for the upcoming activities, and welcomed in a fresh burst of exciting energy from new participants!
The midday Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony was usually the largest circle during the Jerusalem Celebration of Light Gathering. It included peace prayers and blessings, in many languages, from religious and community leaders. We focused on lifting up our light and sharing it with Jerusalem to bring the spirit of peace to the city and all of its residents.
The Jerusalem Celebration of Light Gathering officially ended at Sunset with a closing Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony, where participants shared their experiences and prepared for the next year’s gathering.
Our final Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony was Sunday morning with those who remained overnight, and the cleanup crew. It was a special opportunity to review the festival and honor the helpers.
Many other activities occurred at the gathering:
There were activities and workshops, including Attunement, Reiki, meditation, drawing, Hebrew letter movements, maze walk, nature adventures, dance classes, debka and darbuka lessons, drum circles, singing circles, and other energizing activities. In the evening, participants gathered around small campsite fires singing songs, and philosophizing about how to create a peaceful society.
We had many Peaceful Guests including: Sufis, Tibetan monks, African shamans, priests, sisters, sheikhs, rabbis, Native American elders and many everyday people who simply loved shining their light!
One year, The World Peace Prayer Society donated a peace pole with the statement May Peace Prevail on Earth inscribed on it in four languages.
Another year, a Native American peace pipe ceremony was conducted, plus many more peace creating ceremonies and activities.
I was the coordinator of the Jerusalem Celebration of Light gathering for 12 years. It was an amazing and transformative experience. I learned about people, peace, healing, and how powerful the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony actually is! It was wonderful to witness those who attended being transformed into radiant human beings – Peace People!
It has been many years since the last gathering, and I still run into people asking me to organize another gathering.
Maybe one day.............
I was honored to be the coordinator of the Jerusalem Celebration of Light Gathering for 12 years! What an adventure we had each year at this two-day festival. Many hundreds of radiant, beautiful, wonderful people attended.
The purpose of our gathering was to send a collective burst of light and peace to Jerusalem and all of creation. The Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony was the way we focused and sent out our blessings.
The gathering took place in the Jerusalem Forest on a hilltop called Mitzpeh Kerem (Hirbet Hamame). It is located just behind the Holocaust Memorial, The Valley of the Communities, at Yad Vashem.
Mitzpeh Kerem is not just any hilltop. It is an Earth Energy Vortex. This means that this part of Planet Earth sends out an extra strong and unique vibration of earth energy. It has two parts:
• A solid natural rock semicircle, with an opening in the center, that I call “Grandmother Circle”.
• A unique rock formation and stone cove on the peak of the hill, where there is a near panoramic view of Jerusalem and the surrounding hills.
During the gathering, we utilized the strong earth energy coming out of this hill, combined with the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony to help intensify our radiant light into the world.
How It Started:
After coming to Jerusalem in 1993, I met a continuous flow of people who, like myself, had a deep passion for peace. I named us “Peace People”.
We met many times to discuss how our group could bring a greater amount of light into our world, and stimulate the spirit of peace in Jerusalem. During these meetings, we realized that communication and respect are the keys to creating peaceful relationships with our neighbors.
After consideration, we came up with the idea of having a two-day light gathering in Jerusalem on the full moon in the spring. We invited everyone we knew to join us. Peace people from Israel, Palestine, and around the world attended. Rather than charge a fee, we asked participants to make a financial love offering to help cover our expenses.
In preparation, we created a schedule of events. Someone volunteered to be in charge of the kitchen, another person made signs, and we considered everything we needed for a gathering of about 100 people. We decided when and where to have the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremonies and other activities.
The first day of the gathering we were really happy as we watched a constant flow of excited Peace People arrive on the hilltop. Many more than the 100 people we expected attended! This gathering turned into a festival of light – vibrant, radiant!
During the 12 years, each gathering built upon the previous year’s gathering. This developed a very refined quality of light in the peace people who attended and created a very strong peace team. Each year, the attendance varied between 300 and 1,500 peace people.
During Jerusalem Celebration of Light, I led many Energy Ball for Peace Ceremonies.
The first ceremony was Friday midday:
• It brought together helper energy, honoring those who had spent time preparing for the gathering.
• It was a time to bless those who were traveling to Mitzpeh Kerem (Hirbet Hamame) and the gathering.
• It initiated Grandmother Circle as a Sacred Space, and the central location for all the participants to assemble.
At Sunset, the entire group came together at Grandmother Circle for a Collective Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony, which led into a singing Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming in of the Sabbath). It was a festive bringing in of the Shekinah (the Sabbath Bride) and the spirit of peace! We sang, danced, prayed, and sent out a large burst of light energy to Jerusalem and the world.
At midnight on the top of the hill of Mitzpeh Kerem, the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony guided us into a deep meditation, and connected us with the Mystical Earth Energy Vortex.
The ceremony on Shabbat (Saturday) morning brought together the intention of the day. We prepared the energy of the camp for the upcoming activities, and welcomed in a fresh burst of exciting energy from new participants!
The midday Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony was usually the largest circle during the Jerusalem Celebration of Light Gathering. It included peace prayers and blessings, in many languages, from religious and community leaders. We focused on lifting up our light and sharing it with Jerusalem to bring the spirit of peace to the city and all of its residents.
The Jerusalem Celebration of Light Gathering officially ended at Sunset with a closing Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony, where participants shared their experiences and prepared for the next year’s gathering.
Our final Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony was Sunday morning with those who remained overnight, and the cleanup crew. It was a special opportunity to review the festival and honor the helpers.
Many other activities occurred at the gathering:
There were activities and workshops, including Attunement, Reiki, meditation, drawing, Hebrew letter movements, maze walk, nature adventures, dance classes, debka and darbuka lessons, drum circles, singing circles, and other energizing activities. In the evening, participants gathered around small campsite fires singing songs, and philosophizing about how to create a peaceful society.
We had many Peaceful Guests including: Sufis, Tibetan monks, African shamans, priests, sisters, sheikhs, rabbis, Native American elders and many everyday people who simply loved shining their light!
One year, The World Peace Prayer Society donated a peace pole with the statement May Peace Prevail on Earth inscribed on it in four languages.
Another year, a Native American peace pipe ceremony was conducted, plus many more peace creating ceremonies and activities.
I was the coordinator of the Jerusalem Celebration of Light gathering for 12 years. It was an amazing and transformative experience. I learned about people, peace, healing, and how powerful the Energy Ball for Peace Ceremony actually is! It was wonderful to witness those who attended being transformed into radiant human beings – Peace People!
It has been many years since the last gathering, and I still run into people asking me to organize another gathering.
Maybe one day.............
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© 2017 Jeff Goldstein |