Circus Salaam Shalom |
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Check out the Washington Times Article about us!
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Circus Day Foundation’s Circus Partnership Program tangibly demonstrates that by focusing on a goal together we concentrate on what unites us instead of what divides us. Our first Circus Partnership was with 10 Jewish children from the Central Reform Congregation in the Central West End and 10 Muslim children form the Clara Muhammed School on Grand Ave. Especially because our country is now at war, we, as a nation, as a world, yearn for peace. The path to peace is a path of cooperation and communication. Teaching children from different neighborhoods how to stand on each other’s shoulders may seem like a strange way to take this path. But it’s the technique we use!
Circus and life are both about juggling your responsibilities and balancing your priorities. They are about cooperation and communication. They are about what we do rather than who we are. Circus teaches the art of life!
Circus Salaam Shalom culminated this cooperative circus learning experience between Jewish and Muslim children with shows performed at Central Reform Congregation’s Sukkot Shalom, the Al-Mu-Minum Islamic Center and at City Museum. Circus Salaam Shalom was also featured in KSDK NewsChannel 5’s special report on Understanding Islam. Circus Salaam Shalom has now combined with another Circus Partnership and students from our other circus programs to form an Open Partnership called the Patchwork Circus.
Financial assistance for this project was provided by the Trio Foundation of St. Louis, the Whitaker Foundation, the Regional Arts Commission, DCA Family Foundation and private donors.