2017 conference discussions

The Center for a Shared Society at Givat Haviva A Relational Approach to Dialogue and its Implementation in Fostering Jewish-Arab Partnerships. Facilitated by Dr. Ran Kutner, academic advisor to Givat Haviva and senior lecturer in the University of Haifa’s Peace and Conflict Management program. The Center for a Shared Society aims to create an accepting and united society, by galvanizing divided communities for collective action. This workshop presented the Relational Approach to dialogue, which originated from psychoanalysis and emphasizes the role of relationships to the human soul). This includes practicing mindfulness, to cultivate awareness of one’s body and the feelings that emerge “here and now.” These methods aim to bring the you-I relationship to the fore (Buber), while recognizing the […]

A Relational Approach to Dialogue and its Implementation in Fostering Jewish-Arab ...

 in 2017 conference discussions / Therapeutic or Psychological Dialogue Workshops by
The Ministry of Education’s Counseling Psychological Services (CPS) Facilitated by Hyam Tannous and Irit Leviatan, Educational counselors and formerly regional CPS supervisors. The narrative approach enables a “life story,” which serves as a tool for developing intercultural dialogue. It aims to instill skills for listening, while fostering protected discourse on controversial topics. Thus, it is extremely relevant to Israeli society, which comprises different, tension-ridded sectors. First and foremost, by fostering dialogue that provides space for a multiplicity and diversity of opinions, with an emphasis on the personal-human story, the “other’s” narrative. The “other” is seen as strong and unique – not from a critical or judgmental point of view, but rather as emerges from the narrative. The technique for managing […]

The Narrative Approach

 in 2017 conference discussions / Therapeutic or Psychological Dialogue Workshops by
Besod Siach (The Association of Dialogue between Groups in Conflict) The Tavistock Method Facilitated by Ruth Duek, a senior clinical psychologist, and Miriam Fruchtman, an organizational and educational counselor. Besod Siach (The Association of Dialogue between Groups in Conflict) works to promote dialogue among all sectors of Israeli society. The organization, which was founded in 1992 by group psychologists from the political right and left, is based on the Tavistock method, which utilizes group relations and systemic approaches. The Tavistock method examines group relations, with an emphasis on the individual and their role in the group/organization, while addressing both conscious and unconscious factors that influence the individual and group and affect their success in reaching pre-defined goals. The workshop presented […]

The Tavistock Method

 in 2017 conference discussions / Therapeutic or Psychological Dialogue Workshops by
The Satir Group at the Ramle Open House The Virginia Satir Model:  Advancing Jewish-Arab Partnerships and Understanding Facilitated by Tali Aharony and Gila Cohen, clinical psychologists and family and relationship counselors. The Satir model was developed as a tool for family therapy and is centered on the belief that the individual can change (STST – Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy). The Ramle Open House, a community center for co-existence, uses this model to advance partnerships and understanding between the city’s Jewish and Arab residents. The workshop outlined the model’s tenets, which participants applied through a group exercise. Two aspects of the model are especially relevant to groups in conflict. Establishing and strengthening one’s sense of self-worth: Vital individuals are much better […]

The Virginia Satir Model: Advancing Jewish-Arab Partnerships and Understanding

 in 2017 conference discussions / Therapeutic or Psychological Dialogue Workshops by
The Adam Institute staff facilitated four workshops based The Betzavta Method – Transforming Conflicts into Dilemmas, which helps participants examine their group process through democratic principles and exploring conflicts between partners in a democratic society, while transforming them into internal dilemmas that serve as a catalyst for formulating an equitable and fair solution. This method is the foundation for every democracy and peace education program offered by the Adam Institute.

“The Betzavta Method – Transforming Conflicts into Dilemmas”

 in 2017 conference discussions / Dialogue Workshops in the Field of Education by
The Kerem staff facilitated two workshops. The Teaching and Learning Center focuses on the professional development of teachers within the Kerem Institute by forming professional communities of learning. These aim to examine and improve the teachers’ work. In the context of the conference, the center runs three programs of interest: The Multi-Cultural Teacher’s Lounge, which includes the Dove’s Wings program for the integration of Ethiopian-born teachers, while Teachers Leading the Way operates in two facets: First, Jewish Hebrew teachers who work in east Jerusalem schools. Second, a joint training program for Jewish and Arab teachers, who will eventually become pedagogical advisors and facilitators for various city-based groups. Teachers Leading the Way: Joint Jewish-Arab professional development and training. (Hebrew-Arabic, simultaneous translation). […]

Multi-Cultural Education and Teacher Training

 in 2017 conference discussions / Dialogue Workshops in the Field of Education by
Facilitated Myriam Darmoni Sharvit, Head of Civics, Civil Education, Joint Living and Social Education, and Mazen Faraj, facilitator. This workshop provided a taste of how Jewish and Arab schools study together, using the narrative approach and drawing upon Gordon Allport‘s four conditions: equal status, institutional support, common goals, and ongoing close contact. This model was developed in Northern Ireland in an attempt to overcome the turbulent, violent history between the Catholic and Protestant communities. It has has been adapted locally, and continues to be adapted according to need. For example, in Jerusalem the training includes teachers from different sectors becoming closely acquainted (Arab, public religious, public, and ultra-Orthodox), which leads to a deeper understanding of identities, majority-minority relations, and inequality. […]

The Irish Model for Joint Studies

 in 2017 conference discussions / Dialogue Workshops in the Field of Education by
Facilitated by Irena Manelis, Director, and Shlomit Shani, Counselor. This school operates within the confines of the ALYN hospital, which is a medical-rehabilitative institution serving children whose special needs require medical assistance before they can integrate into society. The school community comprises children and staff from all sectors, including Arabs, Jews of varying religious practice, new immigrants, and more. The school operates on a multi-cultural approach, which applies to both staff and patients. The workshop offered a glimpse into the creation of a multi-cultural educational staff, by creating a safe space to share feelings and thoughts, while encouraging open dialogue.

A Multicultural Staff

 in 2017 conference discussions / Dialogue Workshops in the Field of Education by
Facilitated by Samer Atamneh, Director, Education Department. This workshop presented the model called Mantiqatna-HaEzor Shelanu (“Our Region” in Arabic and Hebrew), which creates Jewish-Arab partnerships based on geographic proximity that bridge gaps between tension-ridden communities, while creating an alternative characterized by equality and solidarity. The workshop explored ways to create change and build partnerships between Arabs and Jews, and surveyed the available and effective tools for creating change in a heterogeneous region. The model’s main tenets include: Addressing regional topics as a basis for learning and dialogue, to foster joint regional living. Building stable working relationships between schools, which rely on regional infrastructure supported by the heads of regional councils and directors of education departments. Joint learning of the standard […]

Joint Regional Living

 in 2017 conference discussions / Dialogue Workshops in the Field of Education by
Facilitated by Laurence Rosengart and Enas Zmiro, regional communications guidance counselors, in collaboration with the Abraham Fund.   The model of joint learning is part of the Abraham Fund’s vision to create an egalitarian, multi-cultural Israeli society, in which the Arab and Jewish citizens foster joint living from an early age, at school and outside of school, by getting to know each other, bridging gaps, and overcoming cultural differences through activities of joint interest and cross-border dialogue. To create a society in which both official languages – Hebrew and Arabic – are taught, spoken, and visible, as an expression of their respective cultures and populations, while publicly legitimizing the languages and their speakers. The workshop demonstrated how Jewish and Arab […]

Jewish and Arab students jointly studying for the media and film ...

 in 2017 conference discussions / Dialogue Workshops in the Field of Education by