GlobalGiving.org: Community Building for 1000 Jews & Muslims, 11-12

Sukkot encounter - October 16th

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:17:40 GMT

The Galilee Women's group met in Misgav, in the big Sukkah of the town. Noga invited us and we came 5 women from Eilaboun and 4 from Bueine.

We were received by a group of women from the community, some of which are not part of our group but gave us and the group a lot of respect and joined their friends.

They received us with greetings and warmth, prepared for us a buffet full with special foods and did not forget the apple and the honey in honor of the new year that recently began.

After eating, Sima explained to the group about the Holiday, its food and customs, and about the Sukkah, its importance in this Holiday and what is symbolizes.

Many of the women did not know these things before!

Later we all went for a tour around the community. We saw different kinds of Sukkot and very beautiful decorations. It was a very nice atmosphere of celebration.

Links:

IEA main website

Educators' teams from Dekel and A-Sallam Schools

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 09:55:57 GMT

The two educators' teams, some 30 teachers from Dekel School in Karmiel and A-Sallam School in Majd el-Krum, met on Tuesday November 15^th in order to plan together the joint students' activity around healthy existence.

First the educators had their own conversation about the nature of healthy existence and nutrition and how they are guided by the Jewish and Muslim traditions.

Then they planned the activities of the students: designating groups of students that will research kinds of traditional foods as well as preparing a booklet on medicinal plants and how they were used traditionally and for what purposes. Each group of students will focus on the research of one plant and write an entry in the booklet, which will finally be published for all students and parents.

Each of the teachers will now return to his/her class and explain to the students the whole concept, so that they will have good understanding of the ideas and goals of this project and the way it integrates the Jewish and Arab culture and tradition, shows the common in healthy existence and brings the two communities closer together.

The encounter was very successful!

Links:

Preparatory encounters for the new school year

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:35:44 GMT

Preparatory encounters

Four preparatory encounters took place in preparation for the new school year's cooperation:

1. On 15 August 2011 the leading teams of the two schools met. These included the two principals and vice-principals as well as the leading teams of educators from the two schools.
The encounter occurred in the beginning of Ramadan. The History and Islam Teacher Mr. Nader Taha explained the meaning of Ramadan, why do Muslims fast in it and the importance of charity and good deeds.
Then the teachers broke the fast together as they heard the call of the Muezzin.

2. On August 22^nd, some 20 educators from the two schools came together in order to plan the joint activities during the coming year.

3&4: On October 13^th separate encounters took place in the two schools, with the participation of some 60 students, guided by the schools' counselors.

The students shared what they liked and did not like about the encounters of last year and what they expect from the encounters in the coming year.

Links:

IEA's website

Challenges and overcoming them

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:36:47 GMT

In September 2009, the long-time cooperation between A-Sallam School in Majd el-Krum and Kalanit School in Karmiel had to stop. A few months later we found a way to cooperate with the nearby Gilon School. After 4 cooperation-building encounters in February 2010 – of the two principals, the full management teams, plus the coordinators of age-levels and land-knowledge (to plan the detailed work-plan) and the classes' educators – held 10 students' encounters with this school and A-Sallam School, between March and June 2010 with focus on the environment.

Sadly, the project suffered additional challenges when the Gilon School decided not to continue with the partnership with A-Sallam School. Therefore a new partnership was formed with the Dekel School from Karmiel, whose principal Ms. Amit Yaniv knows the principal of A-Sallam, Ms. Najeeba Sirhan, for many years of good cooperation, since her time as a teacher in Kalanit School. Consequently we are now very hopeful that this partnership will last for a long time.

After meetings of the management teams and of the full educational teams to plan the program, along with a preliminary encounter of the students, it kicked off on December 2010 and ran through the end of the school year in June 2011. We are now optimistic that this cooperation is again long-term one.

Soon I hope to report about individual encounters.

Progress update

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:13:46 GMT

Dear friends,

It is a long time since we shared an update from the field. This is due to the fact that local strikes put extra load on the principals of the two schools and I do hope we will soon be able to share these updates.

However, I do want to update you in the mean time that the encounters between the two schools continue as planned, twice a week, and are very successful.

I do hope to write again soon.

Yours,

Yehuda

Links:

IEA general website

Joint celebration: International Day of the Child

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:40:45 GMT

Some 300 students took part in this joint day of the two schools.

First they went through workshops in the classes about the rights of the child and his/her duties.

Then they took part in a special procession in the streets of Majd el-Krum, accompanies by Hebrew and Arabic music as well as by a clown who organized activities for them.

Finally they came back to the A-Sallam School, had a light meal and continues with different activities: painting on their faces, folk dances and singing in the two languages.

Links:

Website of the Interfaith Encounter Association

Joint Sports Day

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:00:45 GMT

120 students from both schools took part in this joint day.

First they cleaned the place from trash left by previous visitors and spoke together about the importance of the culture of keeping nature clean.

Then they took part in a variety of workshops: climbing ropes, rope bridges, playing Darbuka, painting etc.

Towards the end of the day the young leaders summarized the day together with the students and their parents.

Links:

Organization's website

New partnership's activity continues to develop

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:29:44 GMT

Students in Shagor Stream

March 4th 2010

A joint encounter for two groups of "Environmental Leaders" from the two schools, with 50 students from each school. In the encounter we held information workshops on the area we all live in and started forming connections between the students.

April 15th 2010

6) The encounter was postponed to May 3rd, due to the unfortunate death of the father of the principle of A-Sallam School. We held an excursion to the Shagor area and Shagor Stream with some 150 students from both schools. We learned the plants and rocks of the scenery and how to protect them from environmental pollution. Towards the end – parents served a light meal to the students.

April 22nd 2010

7) An encounter for 5th graders with some 130 students from both schools. Professionals in recycling led workshops on how to re-use things we throw away. For example: students used paper to construct different sculptures, designing their yards and keeping the environment at the same time.

April 29th 2010

8) A joint excursion of six graders to Tiberius and learning about the water sources in Israel as well as soil and history of the place. The excursion included visits to Holy Sites and bi-lingual guidance by the outings coordinators of the two schools.

May 7th 2010

Joint excursions for the teams of the two schools in the area of Snir Stream in order to socially consolidate them into one team. 40 teachers participated from the two schools. In the end we had a joint meal.

Learning the environment - first hand

Links:

Activity meets challenges - and overcome them

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Mon, 31 May 2010 09:31:07 GMT

Due to various reasons, the long years cooperation of the A-Sallam School of Majd el-Krum and Kalanit School of Karmiel stopped in the beginning of the school year.

After intensive efforts we managed to renew this school-based interfaith encounter cooperation with another Jewish school – Gilon – that joined A-Sallam School. Below you can find the description of the first encounters of forming this joint partnership. The joint work is already on its way and further reports will follow soon.

February 4th 2010

1) The two school principles, Najeeba and Yael, meet to open the doors of cooperation for interfaith coexistence between the two schools – teams and students. The meeting took place in A-Sallam School.

February 11th 2010

2) Meeting in Gilon School with the two principles and the coordinators of social education and the coordinators of geographical knowledge of the two schools. We coordinated the cooperation and build the program for the students. While doing so we build another level of the cooperation between the two schools.

February 18th 2010

3) Meeting of management teams and deputies of the two schools in order to propose activities for the consolidation of the teachers' team and building a detailed program. The meeting took place in A-Sallam School in Majd el-Krum.

February 25th 2010

4) Meeting of the educators of the age levels participating – 4th to 6th grades. We studied the proposed program in depth and suggested feedback for improvement, which was implemented into the program.

Links:

IEA's website

Celebrate together Family Day

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:55:50 GMT

The students of A-Sallam and Kalanit, Arabs and Jews, celebrated Family Day by visiting the Home for Senior Citizens in Karmiel. In the beginning – the home's supervisor explained about the place, the people who live in it and their health situation. She asked the student to accept the old people and treat them nicely. The students attended various activities. They prepared frames from different materials and placed in them a photo of the group that took place in the event. They also prepared a device for stickers out of plastic bottles and decorated it. At the end of the day we summarized all the day's activities and all students, Arabs as Jews, expressed how happy and satisfied they are and how wonderful it was to cooperate in such a program. They said they will be happy to return and volunteer with the old people. We have to note that this was one of the activities of the on-going Jewish-Muslim interfaith encounter program, in which both schools continue despite the difficult political situation the country went through in the beginning of 2009. The most important goal of these activities is to manifest that a person can be dealt with as a person, regardless their religion, ethnicity or color. The students noticed an old lady that speaks and writes Arabic well so they asked her and she wrote a letter to the Majd el-Krum students. Finally, the students of the two schools fare welled happy and expressed their hope to meet again in the future.

3 Hanukah encounters

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:12:48 GMT

Planning encounter More than 20 educators, and the two principles, of the two schools – Kalanit and A-Sallam – joined this encounter.

They set together in small groups and planned the themes they will implement with their age-groups during the year. In the end of the day they set dates and themes.

Joint activity - 2 On December 16th 2008, 6th graders of both schools met in Kalanit School in Karmiel to learn about Hanukah. 70 of A-Sallam students were hosted by Kalanit students.

They heard from the teachers explanations about Hanukah, its customs, how it is celebrated and why. There was also open time for questions around the theme.

The Muslim students greeted the Jewish students from Karmiel. They also asked why don't we have a similar Holiday? They got the explanation from the religion teacher that every religion has its own customs and tradition and for example Jews do not have the Holiday of the Sacrifice.

The students ate doughnuts together and created greetings cards.

Arab-Jewish Hanukah - 3 The encounter took place on December 17th in Karmiel.

The teachers from A-Sallam joined their friends from Kalanit in their homes for lighting Hanukah candles and heard explanations about the meaning of the Holiday.

In the end we all came together for a summarizing session at the school and we heard a lot of compliments about the visits and the new things they learned about Hanukah.

Interfaith Muslim-Jewish encounter around Eid el-Adha

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:43:28 GMT

Demonstrating Hajj

On Thursday, December 4th 2008, the encounter took place in A-Sallam School with some 120 5th graders.

The students coming from Karmiel and the local students met in the courtyard of A-Sallam School around a model of the Qa'aba, built in order to demonstrate for the students. The Religion Teacher Nader Taha showed the students how the different parts of the Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca – are implemented. His told the students about common elements in Judaism and Islam, in this case: in the story of Abraham sacrificing his son.

In the end of the day the students ate a joint meal, prepared by the parents' board. They greeted each other and fare-welled with a smile of happiness and enthusiasm for the next encounter.

Demonstrating Hajj 2

Joint festive meal

3rd Graders visit the Mosque

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:14:07 GMT

Imam Mohammad and the kids

Some 60 students came from Kalanit School in Karmiel to A-Sallam School. They walked hand in hand to the "Abu Baker" Mosque where the Imam Muhammad Kiwan waited for them. He explained to them the parts of the mosque and the significance of each part and the way to behave in sacred places. He blessed their coming to the mosque and prayed for long joint life, full of happiness and hope.

After the visit the students went back to the school where they prepared greeting cards for the coming holidays, with sentences and prayers coming from their hearts – for long healthy and prosperous lives for people of all faiths.

Muslim-Jewish encounter around Ramadan

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:29:34 GMT

Najeeba & Rama

The encounter took place on September 25th 2008, between the educational teams of A-Sallam School in Majd el-Krum and Kalanit School in Karmiel, and focused on the theme of Ramadan. The Principle of A-Sallam School, Ms. Najeeba Sirhan, welcomed the Kalanit team in Majd el-Krum and stressed their good will in participating in this encounter as manifesting love, brotherhood and interfaith tolerance.

The Islamic Religion teacher of A-Sallam presented a lecture on the month of Ramadan: Why do Muslims fast? When do they fast? And the customs of the Fast of Ramadan, and the family visits and the daily meal of breaking the fast. In addition he talked about the commandments of Islam and briefly explained them. Finally he wished all citizens of Israel long life, love, peace and safety.

Rama Ovadiah, Principle of Kalanit School, wished the A-Sallam team easy fast and happy el-Fitr Holiday and stressed the continuation of the joint educational, cultural and inter-religious work of the two schools.

In the conclusion of the encounter, the teacher Osnat from Kalanit School read a greetings prepared by the Kalanit team and wishes for happy life.

Exlaining

Eating together

Joint Educational Excursion

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:03:18 GMT

In Compost 2000

On April 16th a joint educational outing took place with the environmental leadership of the 5th graders from the two schools – A-Sallam and Kalanit – at Compost 2000, near Haifa. The students learned how it is possible to utilize waste, recycle it and reuse it in order to reduce the amount of garbage and keep environment clean. 50 students took part in this excursion.

Learning together

Joint Cleaning Day

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:02:12 GMT

Preparing to go out

Out of the basic assumption that it is important to keep our environment clean, the environmental leadership of the two schools, A-Sallam and Kalanit, held a joint environmental day.

5th graders of the two schools went out to the streets and cleaned them. Then they entered the cemetery, cleaned it and tidied the plantation in it. In this day that took place on April 24th, took part some 150 students from both schools.

At the end of the day the students distributed papers for the parents, with guidance for the parents on how to increase awareness for preserving their environment clean.

Cleaning the street

Cleaning the cemetary

Balloons of Emotions

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:28:30 GMT

On Sunday, March 9th 2008, the 6th grade students of Kalanit School in Karmiel hosted their peers from A-Salaam School for a joint experiential activity around the theme of "Emotions", following the general events and the war in the south. This activity was in the happy spirit of the month of Adar that started on that day, as it says: "When Adar enters – happiness is growing".

First we met in the classrooms. The children were happy to meet again their friends from last year. They set in circles and heard explanations about the course of the day. Then we started with "Balloons of Emotions" – a personal page that we created based on the Hosen program, to identify the students' mood and emotions. To our joy, all students – from both schools – marked the first balloons and explained that the chose them because they were happy to be part of this activity. The conversation took place in both languages (Hebrew and Arabic). The students of Kalanit were especially happy as they could practice their Arabic. The events of the day were not brought up, although in the morning the students shared their educators in their feelings following the massacre in the Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

After joint breakfast in the classroom and joint activities during the break, we turned to the activity of "Mood Balloon". This is creative work around balloons: the kids chose the color of their balloon and designed it according to their feelings. We made chains of emotions' balloons to decorate the class for Purim – a mixed chain for each class.

After the creativity activity the boys' soccer teams from both schools competed. The game took place in a respecting and respected way. The girls from both schools cheered the game. The referee was the teacher Nader Taha from A-Salaam School. When the game ended with the victory of the Kalanit team, the girls took the field for a dodge ball game. In this game the referee was the teacher Ayelet Yihya from Kalanit School and the girls from A-Salaam won.

To end the day we took a joint excursion to the nearby Galilee Park. The guiding was given, in both languages, by the geography teachers Amir Lazar and Nader Taha. We viewed our joint Galilee and learned about the scenery formations. We used this excursion as a summary for the joint Geography theme of the Galilee. During the excursion children from both schools were walking hugged together.

The encounter ended with social games organized by the children and we fare welled with lots of satisfaction and wish for further encounters.

Reported: Osnat Freiberg-Boacio Group's Coordinators: Najeeba Sirhan & osnat Aram-Daphna

The day of a hundred in 1st and 2nd grade

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:50:02 GMT

The day of 100

This day that was held in A-Sallam School with participation of teachers, students and parents – from both Majd el-Krum and Karmiel.

The students went through different stations where they fulfilled assignments related to the number 100. They heard from the teachers a short presentation about the number 100 and how many times it is mentioned in the Koran, with examples of verses that include the number 100. During that day they learned mathematical thinking and were exposed to the principles of mathematics.

The goal of this joint encounter was to develop strong ties between little children who will grow loving each other and building joint citizenship.

A day of joint learning on Coexistence

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:14:21 GMT

On Tuesday, June 19th 2007, we held the a day that marked the highlight of the joint activities of Jewish and Muslim students around the theme of "Coexistence". The activity took place in Kalanit School in Karmiel.

We had the pleasure of hosting representatives of the Embassy of the United States of America, who were nicely greeted by the 3rd graders and enjoyed the singing of the joint coir. The students presented to them the fruits of our efforts during the year – processes and products of joint work.

The school principle and several teachers went with them to visit a joint art workshop where they watched the joint activity and had a conversation with the students about the joint encounters and their meaning.

They got explanations about the project that includes three circles: encounters of the children, encounters with the parents and activities for the educators. The goal is to create openness and awareness among the children to the issue of living together and education for tolerance, peace and coexistence – through experiential encounters and internalization of basic concepts in the two cultures, while emphasizing joint and similar values in the religions and the cultures. A parallel goal is to integrate the parents of the students into a circle of acquaintance and experience in joint encounters. During all the years of the project we highlight joint learning and enriching of educators and all those who work on the theme, through educational and inter-religious programs.

In the second part of the day we all gathered for artistic program and performance of the joint coir of the two schools.

The distinguished guests summarized by expressing how much they appreciate the activity and the educational investment manifested in the school children and how much they enjoyed to see students who are partners for joint doing and are full of aspiration to study together.

Group's coordinators: Najeeba and Osnat

Together in Nature, Bringing the Hearts Closer

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:50:19 GMT

On Thursday, May 31st 2007, 4th and 5th graders of "Kalanit" School in Karmiel and "A-Sallam" School in Majd el-Krum went out to Ahiud Forest on the slopes of Shagor Stream.

We immediately commenced joint experiential activity in mixed groups. We discovered many words that exist in both languages – with similar sound and identical meaning, we got to better know each other through names' games and played in girls and boys competitions.

After the activities, we enjoyed delicious refreshments, prepared by the parents of "A-Sallam". In the concluding ceremony we enjoyed the singing of the children of the joint coir, the greetings of the organizers and from joint exciting dances of both teachers and students from both schools.

Reporter: Nira Marom Group's coordinators: Osnat Aram-Daphna and Najeeba Sirhan

(* We are grateful to the Embassy of the United States of America to the State of Israel for their support to this program)

Educators' Teams encounter

Dr. yehuda Stolov — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:52:21 GMT

The team of Kalanit educators was hosted by A-Sallam School.

The aim of the encounter was to strengthen acquaintance and partnership between the teams of the two schools and to jointly evaluate and plan the teaching of coexistence and joint encounters of the older students from the two schools.

The encounter was heartfelt and the motivation for joint study and action was apparent.

The educators of the two teams had a joint wish: let us all continue in this blessed activity!

"Friends of the Environment" - series of 4 encounters

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:24:09 GMT

At the summarizing encounter

The students of the 5th grade in A-Sallam and Kalanit Schools met on April 18th for a summarizing encounter for a series of activities related to environment and environmental education, such as: drawings that deal with the environment or symbols for protecting it. The other 3 encounters in the series took place on February 2nd, March 6th and March 20th – two in Kalanit and two in A-Sallam. The series dealt at the following: 1. Keeping the environment clean; 2. Dealing with the danger of pollution; 3. How to recruit friends to protect the environment; 4. We live together and have joint responsibility for our environment; 5. If we live more relax it lowers the danger of violence. Finally we had the joint encounter in A-Sallam School, with the participation of parents, teachers and students. Each student received a certificate of appreciation for their participation and contribution.

Drawing 1

Drawing 2

Fun-day for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:52:09 GMT

Some 350 students, from both schools: A-Sallam and Kalanit, met on May 3rd for one day of joint fun. The day included many performances and activities, such as: pantomime, aerobics, songs, dance competition, circus and presents. The encounter goals were to bring the hearts closer together and to shape citizens who respect each other – through the way of games and songs and paintings. The facial expression of the students said so many wonderful things… One student's smile is worth millions!

Celebrating Jewish and Muslim Holidays together

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:50:55 GMT

1. Together Celebrating the Festival of Lights

In the encounter that took place on Wednesday, December 13th 2006, participated 35 educators from Kalanit School in Karmiel and A-Sallam School in Majd el-Krum.

The encounter began with greetings from the two School Principals, Ms. Osnat Aram and Ms. Najeeba Sirhan, who spoke about joint life and joint citizenship. If there is happiness it is for all of us and if there is pain it is also for all of us. There is no difference between an Arab and a Jew. We felt it during the last war when Majd el-Krum was hit by missiles and lost people and, in parallel, karmiel too was hit by missiles and people were killed in it. Therefore we will continue together, whether in pain and sorrow as well as in happiness and prosperity.

Then Rama, the Vice-Principal from Karmiel, displayed a presentation about the Festival of Chanukah – why it is celebrated, what customs exist in the festival etc… In the third part we lit the candles together and ate the traditional donuts.

Altogether the encounter had a very pleasant atmosphere that consolidated the team more and more. A-Sallam School presented a gift to the Kalanit team at the end of the enocounter and wished them a happy, quiet and peaceful Holiday. --------------------------------------

2. Foundations of the Hajj

As part of the different activities around better acquaintance with the other and learning about their customs and tradition, we held a "Hajj Day" at A-Sallam School in Majd el-Krum on December 21st 2006, together with students from Kalanit School in Karmiel.

During the first hour students heard presentations about the foundations of Islam, especially the last foundation of The Hajj and the pilgrimage to Mecca, and a conversation developed on the issue between the students and the educators. Then the students of the two schools gathered together at the school's yard, where a model of the Kaaba – the holy Muslim site – was placed. Some of the Muslim students wore the Al-Ahram costume and demonstrated the process of the Hajj to the other students, the educators and the parents. They were led by Imam Mahmud Bashuti of Al-Hajra Mosque.

At the end of the day the students shook hands and greeted each other. Then they ate a meal prepared by the parents' committee.

Links:

Ramadan encounter

Dr. Yehuda Stolov — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:27:42 GMT

On Tuesday, October 17th 2006, the Jewish students from Kalanit School in Karmiel visited the A-Sallam School in Majd al-Krum. During their visit they had a special joint dinner for the breaking of the fast of the Ramadan Month, dinner that was prepared by parents and teachers from Mjd el-Krum and served to the students.

Attachments:

Ramadan - October 17th 2006.doc (DOC)

Interfaith Encounter Annual Report 2005

Yehuda Stolov — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:55:26 GMT

Attachments:

2005_Annual_Report.pdf (PDF)