Training 80 Youth Encounter Leaders

7.2.18

We met, around thirty Jewish and Muslim religious leaders, to discuss Jerusalem and Temple Mount/ Al Aqsa.

We learned the verses from the Hebrew Bible about Jerusalem as well as Sura 17 from the Quran that talks about the connection of Islam to Al Aqsa.

Khaled mentioned that according to the interpretation that Al Aqsa is the place of the Temple, the story about God taking Muhammad to Al Aqsa is a fulfilment of the prayer of King Solomon that the Temple will relate also to the far-away stranger. We also mentioned the similarity between the sura in the Quran and the story in the book of Ezekiel in which God shows the temple to Ezekiel, who lived far from the Land of Israel.

Rebecca told us about the early caliphs who encouraged Jewish worship on the Temple Mount. She showed us a photo of coins with the image of the Menorah and Arabic inscription.

We also talked about the relation between Al Aqsa and the prophecy of Isaiah that in the end of days there will be a house of prayer for all nations on the Temple Mount.

25.4.18

We met around fifteen Jews and Muslims to continue our joint study.

Waji mentioned that Al Aqsa connects all Muslims – who all go up there and meet each other. Reuven said that in Judaism it also says about Jerusalem that it is "as a city that is compact together" which in Hebrew is interpreted that it makes all Israelites friends.

Yakov quoted Rabbi Nevenzal who said that a mosque is a holy site and that anyone who harms it is as if he is harming God. He also brought the story of Rabbi Shmuel Salant, who was the Rabbi of Jerusalem, who would make sure not to pass in front of a Muslim praying, just as is the rule for a Jew praying, because the divine presence is there.

The rule that before entering the Temple Mount one must dip in a ritual bath led to a vivid conversation about what are the things that cause impurity and how the ritual bath is organized.

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24.10.17

On Tuesday 24.10.17 we met in Kibbutz Beit Hashita 11 people – Jews and Muslims from the Jezreel Valley and Muslims from the Jenin area. The underlying agreement was to focus on building the neighbors' relations between the communities and avoid discussing the desired political solution.

The meeting was great – both in terms of the pleasant atmosphere and in the practical approach. We talked about several potential joint groups: group of interfaith encounter, women's group, group of young adults, and groups focusing on joint interests – such as technology, agriculture and art.

We agreed to meet again in a few weeks and work on forming teams that will coordinate a few of the groups. We will aspire to meet once in an Israeli place and once in a Palestinian place, provided that we will succeed in getting the necessary permits and that we find places to meet that will not put the participants in danger.

22.1.18

On a Monday noon we gathered, 15 participants from Jenin, Nablus and Jezreel Valley, in the entrance hall of Idan Technology – educational center near the Gevasol factory, which allows children and adults to directly experience industrial environment as it is.

We started with a tour around the place – the production halls, the research and development center and the workshop rooms. People who participate in those workshops learn to plan themselves the technological solutions they need and actually produce them!

Then we had an inspiring conversation with Gideon Yadin, the owner of the Gevasol complex and the formulator of Idan technology. Gideon told us about his way from the pen of Kibbutz Geva, through the development of a chain of factories in Europe, to his return to the Israel and the formation of the factories and the educational center here.

After we ended the visit and meeting we went to the club of Kibbutz Beit Hashita, where we ate lunch together and spent time in getting to know each other better.

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