The Madrona MindBody Institute at Building 310 in Fort Worden State Park is seeking to furnish local folks with common ground in the midst of global conflict, through “For The Families: A Live Music Dance Fundraiser for the Middle East,” from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.

Dr. Jessica Tartaro, intimacy coach and connection facilitator at Madrona, contacted The Leader to invite the surrounding community to “dance, sweat and pray together” for “the healing of all families in the Middle East,” after gathering in the ballroom of the MindBody Institute.

Tartaro said that participants will be asked to “put their feet on the earth that we share with families in Palestine and Israel, and feel our heartbreak and joy in connection to our global family, through our moving bodies.”

Tartaro explained that this event is a collaborative community fundraiser for “The Parents Circle Families Forum” (PCFF), a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of more than 600 families, all of whom have lost immediate family members to the ongoing conflict.

Tartaro characterized the PCFF, created in 1995, as working to “honor the lives of loved ones lost, and create a bridge through love and grief,” between Israelis and Palestinians.

“Together, the families of the PCFF strive to prevent bereavement, and promote dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation and peace in the region,” Tartaro said.

Among the “musical guides for this journey” which Tartaro touted is the band “HeartSweat,” which formed out of the “Prayerbody” dance classes on Whidbey Island.

HeartSweat has blended djembe drums, didgeridoos and other instruments with “conscious dance” to build communities out of “unique musical soundscapes” for more than 20 years.

Tartaro praised band members Joseph Sanchez, Rachman Ross, Eric Conn and Stefan Ross, “one of the grooviest bass players around the Northwest” as well as the newest member of HeartSweat, for bringing “their magic and talent” to Port Townsend.

Tatarto likewise extended co-producing credit for the May 11 event to “Three Moms Burning,” a collaboration of Molly Rose Stebbins, Lyn Gregory and Tartaro herself, all three mothers “ignited to use dance and other embodied art forms to bring community healing where there is division, and always integrating children into our circles.”

As such, organizers are inviting “children of all ages” to take part in what they intend to be a family-friendly event, but Tartaro asked that prospective attendees “leave divisive voices at the door” as this is not intended to be an occasion for engaging in political debate about issues in the Middle East.

Tartaro is also looking for community co-sponsors who can help support this event for minimum donations of $100 each. “Co-sponsors receive social media exposure, inclusion in the literature table at the event, and public thanks during our ceremony.”

To get involved or to learn more, Tartaro says to email her at DrTartaro@gmail.com. She added she also has information about the suggested donations for tickets, which can be paid online or at the door, although she added that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

“When healing intention meets broken hearts, violence does not have to beget more violence,” Tartaro said. “Let us rally behind this fundraiser, and donate all we can, so that the vicious violence we have witnessed in Israel and Palestine can catalyze reconciliation, healing and change.”