Education Israel Project #1520

Training 80 Youth Encounter Leaders

by Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA)

Project Report | Nov 21, 2018
Two encounters of LIFE group

By Dr. Yehuda Stolov | Executive Director

12.7.2018

In our July encounter we spoke about the 9^th of Av (according to the Hebrew calendar), the saddest day of the year for Jews. According to the tradition, both the first and second Temples were destroyed on this day. In addition, many other tragedies happened to the Jewish nation around this day.

The 9^th of Av is a fasting day and there are rules that help us feel in mourning. It is not allowed to sit on a chair (people sit on the floor), to greet each other, to wear leather shoes, and even to study Torah because it makes one happy. There is a custom to read "Kinot" (sad poems, describing difficult times in Jewish history) in the morning of the 9^th of Av. Some people read sad books or watch sad films, like films about the Shoa.

It is very important to do things that make us feel that we lack something – as individuals and as a society. Our goal is to feel the absence so that we wish to build a better society during the rest of the year. Therefore it is very important to imagine a better future and hope and expect that it is possible to repair. If we pass the fast without hope, we didn't do what is required from us.

It is said that the Messiah will be born on the 9^th of Av, so within the sorrow there are seeds of hope.

After the explanation on the 9^th of Av, rose the question of the Temple's location. This led to an interesting conversation about the future and how can we live together in peace if we quarrel over the same place. We also spoke about a wider question – should we discuss political issues in our encounters. People had different views.

We also spoke about those who are "observant" in our communities and what does that entail regarding going up to the Temple Mount and fasting.

In our group we have people who observe the rules of religion and people who don't.

The group continues to grow and we had 20 people. We had new members, including an 8-year old boy from Male Adumim who connected with a 22-year old guy from Azariya.

30.8.18

We had a very interesting encounter - each person spoke for about 5 minutes on the meaning of their name. We took name tags and wrote our names in Hebrew and Arabic. We also welcomed a new Jewish member, Arlene.

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Aug 27, 2018
Six encounters

By Dr. Yehuda Stolov | Executive Director

12 January 2018

15 participants

Our encounter included people of Israeli, Palestinian, and other international backgrounds and took place in Kibbutz Revadim. Activities consisted of the following: a shared breakfast and lunch, a visit to the sea, a sharing circle about the significance of our encounter within the borders of Israel, a lecture on the importance of Arabic language and the study of the language in Israel, a dance party entirely in Arabic, and shared cooking of a communal dinner.

19 January 2018

60 participants

The encounter included many active participants in our activities as well as other members who came to learn languages - Arabic, English, and Hebrew. For two days we worked in small groups and learned each other’s languages. We did this through community gardening, cooking, and studying songs. We also had a delicious meal together and we sat together around the fire.

8 February 2018

12 participants

The encounter was intimate and feminine. This time we decided to meet in a circle of women in where each of us spoke and shared what it meant to work together. Looking back, is there anything in recent years she is proud of, either done alone or done together? What is she thankful for? What will she take with her from here on and what does she want to leave behind?

23 February 2018

40 participants

This encounter, and the last one at the center of Ecome, came from our original group, and many other people who were active in the center long before us. The encounter took two days and consisted of various elements of togetherness, farewell and giving thanks for the time we worked in Ecome. We took a short walk in the desert, did sharing circles and exercises in pairs in the spirit of the Non-Violent Communication, held a mourning ceremony that included farewells and new beginnings, and of course had shared meals, singing, and prayer.

21 March 2018

4 participants

After closing the Ecome Center, creating the opportunity to meet is much more difficult because we must coordinate times with everyone and find a suitable place. The encounter is meant to understand who we are now, what our role is, stay updated on everyone’s situation, and to understand whether we can continue together in a different way. Everyone updated each other on his personal situation and his vision of continuing the joint work.

23 March 2018

20 participants

The encounter, which was on the shores of the Dead Sea this time, included a birthday celebration for two members of the group, the construction of a camp, the preparation of a shared meal in the morning and evening, and a walk to the beach. The encounter was short but important to maintaining the connection between us.

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May 31, 2018
Two encounters of IEA's Rabbis and Sheikhs group

By Dr. Yehuda Stolov | Executive Director

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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