Community Building for 1000 Jews & Muslims 2023-25

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.

Links:

• IEA website
• IEA activity & annual reports
• Get involved

January 5^th

We held another successful meeting with Yoni Eshpar from UNSCO. Obviously the recent statements by President Trump about the US embassy moving were of great interest. After Yoni's presentation, the students were split into 2 groups and spent an hour in intense discussions about Jerusalem and Gaza and the best way to resolve each city's future. 

January 12, 25, and February 2

We held a series of workshops to provide public speaking, debate and UN resolution reading and writing. The meetings were held at the US embassy and at a school in Tel Aviv, and were taught by lecturers from the Cohen-Idov Center for Debate and Public Speaking, as well as by Daniel Gindis. Many of the students who came to the workshops were specifically preparing for an upcoming conference in Cyprus. Each meeting had 20-30 students.

January 26-20

Students met with Ambassador Shambos at the Embassy of Cyprus. Despite terrible weather and a storm advisory warning, we had a great turnout and discussion, a week and a half before the group delegation to Cyprus.

Links:

• IEA website
• Activity and annual documents
• Get involved