The Middle East Peace Initiative includes a wide range of interreligious encounters, fact-finding trips, interfaith dialogues, cultural initiatives, athletic programs, and service projects.

MEPI programs include visits to many of the following sites, which often have significance for more than one religion. This is a form of “peace tourism” and an important aspect of learning about each others' faith.

MEPI demonstrates that family divisions can be healed through cooperative efforts. Arm in arm, Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze walk prayerfully through Jerusalem’s Old City. The marchers sing the words of peace in three languages, “Peace, Shalom, Salaam Aleikum.”

The peace programs offer formal and informal opportunities for participants to understand more deeply both their own faith and other faiths that honor Abraham. Understanding and respect among people are the foundations for coexistence and can lead to cooperation and, ultimately, reconciliation. Witnessing people of different faiths praying together and embracing as brothers moved many participants to tears.

Peace Walk through the Old City.

Tikkun Olam: Usually translated as “repairing the world,” Encompasses service to society by helping those in need and service to God by liberating the spark within. Interfaith initiatives that deal with ethics and values but avoid the messy task of finding common ground around the core revelation are at best only half-measures. They are ineffective for raising the holy sparks.

It is the role of the mother's heart to soften the environment, to open the hearts, and to move people so that they can go beyond their hardened views. At times it is more convenient to hold on to the familiar sufferings than to fully assume responsibility for one’s self and community.

One of the most striking experiences for many MEPI participants is the degree to which historical resentments can continue to affect people today. Some of the most memorable encounters are with people who have found ways to let go of such resentments.