Jewish and Muslim woman unite in London to mourn lives lost and rebuild trust
Forty women of faith join Laura Marks CBE and Dr Zaza Johnson Elsheikh for a moving peace and remembrance event
Forty Jewish and Muslim women have gathered in London for an interfaith ceremony honouring lives lost in Israel and Gaza and calling for a “new chapter of empathy and unity”.
Co-chaired by Laura Marks, founder of Mitzvah Day and Nisa-Nashim, and Dr Zaza Johnson Elsheikh, President of Belief in Mediation and Arbitration, and Chair of Nisa Nashim, the event opened with candle-lighting, poetry and prayers from the Torah, the Qur’an and Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai.
“Peace isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of compassion,” one reading declared. “It begins with small, brave acts – a conversation, a gesture, a shared meal.”
Another participant reflected: “Grief knows no flags; it only asks to be seen and named.”
Marks told attendees that, despite deep pain on both sides, “we enter this space in a spirit of friendship and aspiration to act – that’s what makes change.” Dr Johnson Elsheikh added that the gathering was about “moving beyond pain towards practical hope.”
During the ceremony, women exchanged handmade friendship bags and bracelets as symbols of connection. “When peace becomes our purpose, even silence becomes powerful,” one speaker said as participants paired up to create their gifts.
Lea Misan, founder of the inter-community charity Act for Change, said she came to show that coexistence must be practised, not just preached. “It’s important for Jewish and Muslim women to come together to show we can do something different,” she told Jewish News. “The ceasefire is a great start, but now we have to create that something different.”
Another attendee said the event reaffirmed that “connection matters more than labels,” adding: “We’re women first – and we often find we’re soulmates across our differences.”
Later sessions focused on how to hold sensitive conversations and model respectful disagreement within communities. The conference closed with shared lunch and reflections on friendship, faith, and resilience.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
