I have two dear friends in New York who are experiencing severe pain because of the crisis in the Middle East.I refrain from using their names because both of their husbands are totally opposed to their friendship. One is an Israeli and the other is a Palestinian. Both have relatives in the region, and have expressed to me their horror at the loss of life on both sides. They both have lived with the beliefs of their individual communities and despite the years of conditioning have moved beyond the positions of their families. They have a burning desire that their children will not have to live in an atmosphere of hatred and violence. Their friendship continues despite the personal risks and their willingness to find mutual ground is one small candle in this bleak history of darkness.