Democracy Council
Receives Grant for Storytelling Project:
USIP Sponsors Unique Project About Living in Jerusalem

Los Angeles, CA, 30 March 2005:  The Democracy Council announced today that the United States Institute of Peace has awarded the council $40,000 to complete the Jerusalem Stories project (www.democracycouncil.org/jerusalem.cfm).

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan federal institution created by Congress to promote the prevention, management, and peaceful resolution of international conflicts.

Jerusalem Stories, [www.democracycouncil.org/jerusalem.cfm] tells the real life stories of those living in the holiest of cities.  The compilation of evocative interviews and photographs will be published as a book and become the basis for educational performances, workshops and exhibits. 

“Jerusalem Stories remind us of the human cost of conflict and put a face and context to each one, without political judgment, without comment,” said Carol Grosman, Project Director.  “It draws on the emotive power of personal stories and portrait photographs to shed light on the common humanity of all people in this city torn apart by violence, political discord and social segregation,” stated Grosman.

The Jerusalem Stories project has also received funding from the Slivkin Foundation, Palestine Investment Fund and various individual contributors.