Peace Poles serve as reminders to cultivate peace in thought, word and action while symbolizing humanity’s shared desire for a world at peace.
Residents came together to dedicate the new Peace Pole installed in front of the library on Dec. 13.
“This is a really tough time on Earth … everywhere,” said Micki Ginsberg, chairman of Moorestown Lunch Rotary’s International Service Committee. “The idea is that to let peace prevail begins with you. Think peace. It’s an inspiration.”
The Peace Pole was donated by the Moorestown Lunch Rotary. The poles carry the message of peace – “May Peace Prevail On Earth” – in the languages of the world, according to the Peace Pole Project. They are reminders to cultivate peace in thought, word and action while symbolizing humanity’s shared desire for a world at peace and in harmony with creation.
Two additional Peace Poles will be installed at the middle school and the Community House of Moorestown next year, and there’s also one at Frank Fullerton Memorial Park. The languages of those poles are meant to unite township residents with people around the world who speak English, Spanish, Hebrew, Hindi, Mandarin, French and Arabic, and who read Braille.
Rotary poles are part of the Rotary’s focus on peace building and conflict prevention.
“Maybe if more people think (about) peace, we will have better luck getting peace,” Ginsberg wondered. “It gives inspiration and hope and for those who have lost hope, they can find new hope. People (may) be inspired to think, ‘What is peace and what can I do?’”
“May Peace Prevail On Earth” – an inclusive message meant to bring together people of all faiths, backgrounds and cultures – was authored in 1955 by the late Japanese philosopher Masahisa Goi. By 1986, the Peace Pole Project was established in the U.S., followed by related activities in Europe and throughout the world.
To date, there are more than 200,000 Peace Poles planted worldwide. From city parks and schools to places of worship, businesses and private gardens, they spread the universal message of peace on earth.
“What brings us together is more important than what keeps us apart,” Ginsberg observed. “Peace starts with each one of us … This is a gap, in a way, filling the minds of people (with) making peace.”
