Dear Kawther Salam:
I have heard of you most recently through the website of Gush Shalom. Myapologies to you that I can’t write this letter in Arabic. I do speak andwrite Hebrew though, if that would be of any help.
Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am a rehabilitation counselor inVancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My primary work is with people withtraumatic brain injuries. I have been in this field a very long time andpublished numerous articles and one book, Effective Empowerment. My book ismeant as a guide to developing ” integrated educational environments ” .
I am also a literary writer and have published short stories and poetry.Presently, I’m in the midst of putting up a professional website which willbe called, ” adventurous words ” .
As a Jew, I am deeply ashamed of what takes place in Israel every day. Lastnight, I attended a wonderful meeting with speeches by two members ofTa’ayush. It gave me hope to see that people are beginning to realize whatis going on there.
I don’t know what I can do to help, except that I’m writing as many piecesas I can and trying to get them into reputable publications. If there’sanything I can do to help you, please, I would like to know. I can’t imaginehow hard each day is for you, knowing you live under such oppressiveconditions. I’m sending one of my poems with the hope that you will know,some people do care and are trying to make change.
Once again, I hope that I can help in some way. If I can, please, feel freeto email me at any time.
Best Wishes,
Ilanna Mandel