By American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al Salam | Admin
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a smile worth? If it’s between high school students from Ibn Rushd High School in Kafar Kana and Ohel Shem High School in Ramat Gan, it’s priceless.
A smile can mean so much. It’s an invitation; an opportunity to connect with another person. In Israel, a smile shared between a Jew and a Palestinian can be a powerful step toward overcoming the prejudice that exists between the two peoples in a divided country.
Through our Youth Encounters program, the School for Peace at Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam gives Palestinian and Jewish high school students a safe place to exchange that first smile, opening the door to a reality where coexistence is possible.
Our facilitators have the skills to get a conversation going and guide it through the murky waters of the unknown. The students quickly take the reins as they discover that they aren’t as different as they thought they were. Students sit together as equals, with equal representation. They get to hear about what life is like for the ‘other’ side, often for the first time.
These youth encounters are an important first step on the path to peace. They plant the seed of the possibility of peace between Jews and Palestinians. With support from donors around the world, this program has brought over 25,000 students together to share smiles and stories. You can take part in this groundbreaking program by donating today.
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