The School for Peace

Another successful Youth Encounter workshop took place from November 29, 2016 to December 1, 2016 between students from Givat Brener and Nazareth High Schools. The three-day workshop brought sixty-one teenagers together at Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam to talk to each other. It seems so simple, but bringing Jewish and Palestinian teenagers together is anything but simple.

                Opportunities for the two groups to come together, as equals, do not exist in their world. Education is segregated, even in the mixed cities. Through these workshops, teens have the chance to discover commonalities, learn about each other’s culture and dispel mistruths and misconceptions.

                It is truly inspiring to see their curiosity about each other lead to a serious commitment to bridging the gap between their worlds, especially during these times of bloodshed and conflict. Guided by experienced facilitators, the two groups of teens navigated their way from unknown antagonists to friendly allies.

Facilitators-in-training observed this encounter to analyze the dynamics of the workshop and see how the experienced facilitators engage and intervene with the teens to keep the dialogue flowing, open and constructive.  To minimize any intrusiveness and interruption, these observations are made through a one-way mirror.

Our facilitators play a key role in our success at bringing Jews and Palestinians together in a joint commitment to peace. The rigorous training program prepares them to face the many emotions, beliefs and heartbreaking or uplifting experiences that have shaped the view Palestinians and Jews of all ages have of each other.  

                Look for our next update when we report on the meeting between students from Ramat Gan and Shfaramer.