Israeli-Palestinian Interfaith Encounter of 80

Summary

An intensive weekend retreat, with 80 Israelis and Palestinians, creates the space for positive first interaction with 'the other' and consolidates a joint community that then starts regular monthly encounters.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

This project addresses the well known challenge of sustainable Israeli-Palestinian peace. The existing ignorance of 'the other', enabling prejudices and fears, makes conflicts possible. Participants, from both communities, engaged in deep and positive interaction self-educate to replace negative attitudes by mutul understanding, respect and trust. The group develops into a "mini-community" modeling the desired inter-communal relations, growing gradually to include the larger communities

How will this project solve this problem?

Intensive 2 day retreat: 3 sessions of joint interfaith conversation - from the perspectives of the 3 religions and around retreat's theme, prayer session, social evening and joint meals and stay. Ends with evaluation and planning for the future.

Potential Long Term Impact

The 80 transformed participants will start on-going Israeli-Palestinian encounter activity, creating a community of desired relations, gradually amending the overall inter-communal relations between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Project Message

It was the first time for me to watch a Jewish prayer and I felt the urge to dance and clap hands. It is the first time and I feel I connect to it and love it from the inside.
- Aiman from Nablus, Palestinian participant in a young adults' retreat

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources

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