JITLI

Tel Aviv Day and the Last Party

2011-01-06T00:28:00.000-08:00

We got to Neve Tzedek, the Tel Aviv neighborhood., We toured the neighborhood of Neve Tzedek plaza, once Boys and girls separate schools which is today the Susan Dalal Dance Center. From there we went by foot along the beautiful streets of the neighborhood and got to the beach promenade linking Tel Aviv and Jaffa, We walked along the boardwalk. The weather was hot, we got explanations on Jaffa and Tel Aviv neighboring relations then and now. We walked to Jaffa picturesque alleyways, at lunch each group got money to buy food, authentic food of Jaffa.
From there we drove to "Hakfar hayarok" to organize the graduation party with the presence of parents. The Organization was good and the hanichim knew what they wanted to show parents, and indeed the party was quite special and summarizing . See its clip video.
After the party the Hanichim got a delicious summer dinner by the pool in "Hakfar Hayarok" after which was a dancing party.
The Hanichim went to bed late as expected from the last day of the summer trip.
Questions:
The journey is over, what insights do we take away for the future?
The journey is over, what commitments do we take with us for the future?
The journey is over, what memories will we take away to the future?
Video Clips
Tel Aviv Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBEIMapGCiE
Dancing Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpkPFISEbiM
The Last Party With Our Parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW1Yeyg6hio

Waiting to your comments

Itzik Koren

The last day in the Negev

2010-12-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

We played " Treasure Hunt" in the Old City in "Beer Sheva", each group was given a map and clues and had to get to various sites in the Old City. In each site the groups young counselor was waiting and operated the group around the theme that the site represented. For example at the Grand Mosque in the Old City there was a debate whether to restore the mosque and its traditional role, or leave it in it's current position as a museum?
In the afternoon, after the game, we were hosted at "ship of the Desert" near Kibbutz "Revivim". After a traditional Bedouin lunch, the Hanichim, under the guidance of the young counselors summarized the activities conducted with beads. The subject was which string of beads every participant took from "Jitli" project ?
Then we went on a journey to experience riding on camels, We rode in pairs, the ride was definitely a unique experience, The route that we rode allowed us spectacular perspectives of the desert and the lake in "Golda Park" that was foothills stretching down where we rode.
As evening arrived Mr. Gary Jacobs also joined us. He participated the summary conversation at the hospitality tent. The Hanichim took turns telling what they take from participation in the project. It was beautiful to notice that each participant told us his unique insights. Certainly it was clear that the project has affected the participants' changed positions and points of view and stereotypes. We returned to Be'er Sheva to get organized, the next day we drove to Tel Aviv
Questions
1. does the peak of Jitli summer trip belong to shared experience or the immediate personal connection that is established among the participants?
2. Is there something symbolic to end the journey in the Negev by riding on camels?
3. During the summary conversation the Hanichim did not reply to their friends remarks, but added their own personal experience. Does this imply the participants' sensitivity to such experiences or that they accepted each other?

The last morning in Beer Sheva
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98TW2I0YdpY

Camels trip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udlLQdLsXC8

Summary conversation at the hospitality tent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLhvpfq1fHQ

I'm waiting to your comments

itzik

Lakia Day

2010-12-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

LaKia is a very interesting Bedouin town,because it is inhabited by interesting people. The morning opened with a visit to a carpet weaving factory which belongs to Lakia women. They showed us all the steps of taking sheep wool into carpets. In the Bedouin sector this is work for women, and it's a very hard work. We heard about an example in which the women took their fate, they found themselves living independently regardless of the men's world. The rugs were beautiful.
We reached Amal school in Lakia wherethe Lakia Hanichim learnArts & Craft teacher taught us the work of beads and a student made a decorative work of beads Then we heard Prof. Ismail Saad, resident Lakia who teaches at Ben Gurion UniversityHe talked about the state of the Bedouin in the Negev, Bedouin education situation in the Bedouin sector, what men and women needed to meet the progress. Another teacher got is active in social games
We visited the school mosque in which we received an explanation of the Koran, the Islamic prayers. All the girls wrapped their hair with a scarf and appearances were honored. Then came the moment everyone has been waiting Hanichim families' hosting. As expected again, it was a formative experience of relations between people of good food and a great common denominator
At night we returned to Beer Sheva and there Schneider and Nadav shared with us social activities at the end, all participants were worked like a machine and shouted "bananas"
Questions:
1. What makes Lakia a Bedouin town that has something different from other Bedouin towns in the Negev?
2. What is the contribution of a Bedouin Prof. to his community?
3. What do social activities have, that makes them understood without words and bring the students to each other?

Video Clips
Lakiya Day - First Part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tdyOvCMc6c
Lakiya Day - Second Part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UG3ZnDwke4

I'm waiting to your comments

Itzik Koren

"Segev Shalom" Day

2010-11-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

We went on the road "Beer Sheva" "Revivim", and the driver stopped midway and we went between the hills towards the home of Musa Abu Kaf who is living in the Bedouin Diaspora. His eldest daughter "Smah" participated in Jitli project two years ago, and his younger daughter "Rada" is participating in Jitli project this year. After an explanation about living in the Bedouin Diaspora and declaring that he does not replace his home with any house in the world,we helped Musa build a wall on which later in the day We drew a drawing related Jitli. Girls helped Musa's wife cooking, Falafel, salad, baked pitas. At noon we sat down to eat the delicacies, It was nice and tasty AND interesting.

From there we went to the elementary school in the Bedouin Diaspora, named El-Azazaama B. Abdullah studied there as a child and returned as the school principle. We spoke with Abdullah about the meaning of Diaspora School From there we went "Segev Shalom Community Center" where we met Abir's father who was the first JITLI adult guide of Segev Shalom . The conversation was about the situation of the Bedouin diaspora and in Segev Shalom.

Early afternoon the Hanichim dispersed to home hospitality , they came back happy and full of experiences.
Questions
1.Life in the Diaspora are filled with problems of water, electricity. Why in our one-time life , people cling to anything they have and are not willing to give up for their own benefit?
2. Life in the Diaspora, on the other hand, has a lot of protecting the environment and using resources. If so why doesn't the government make it easier for these people?
3. Bedouin food is simple but amazingly tasty, what makes this food so tasty?

video clips

The first half day in Segev Shalom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WamZoTJyvdM

The second half day in Segev Shalom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4psm-b2RIg

waiting to your comments

itzik

Friday Saturday Shaar Hanegev Days

2010-11-19T05:35:00.000-08:00

I woke up early, everyone was still sleeping in sleeping bags, boys here girls there, only Abdullah was up, he got up to pray. We organized quickly, breakfast was delicious, and we started walking toward the "Ein ovdat" nature reserve. Walking distance of one kilometer in the morning was refreshing. We sat at the entrance to the parking area, the rangers filed a complaint against the guide that we came into the reserve without permission. There was great anger we expected the ranger to understand our situation, that we slept outdoors and got there a little early. Because the ranger did not cancel the complaint, we gave up on the visit. instead we climbed to see David and Paula Ben Gurion tombs, the first prime minister of Israel and his wife. The view from the place was amazing, we talked a bit about Ben Gurion and his love to the Negev his personal example and his image as leader of the country.
Towards the afternoon we went to "Shaar Hanegev". The first stop was viewpoint "Black Arrow" which is located east of Gaza. There, Gon explained about Shaar Hanegev Regional Council, and its people living in the shadow of the Qassams, From there we drove to kibbutz "Mefalsim" synagogue. Gon's dad Yosi explained the major principles of Judaism and the similarities and differences between Judaism and Islam. He spoke of the belief in one God, man is the center of the human existence and has a mission to be a good person, about the significance of the choice, the importance of time in Judaism, we must not waste time, that Judaism is against the missionary, the importance of democracy in Judaism The importance of learning and the need to do good things without the need to tell about them. The lecture was very interesting at the end he showed us the Holy Ark and the Torah. Then we met the mayor Alon Schuster accompanying Jitli project for many years and he talked about the importance of leadership and the importance of Jewish Bedouin coexistence for the Negev region. The group dispersed to families' home hospitality, which included Friday dinner. Hospitality was amazing it brought the students closer. The students spent the night in a hostel "Beit Yatziv" in Be'er Sheva. The next morning there was a meeting that included a workshop with members of the "one voice" Palestinian Jewish cooperation " Create the future today, two-state to two nations, one voice" The meeting was interesting, their URL: http://www.onevoice.org.il/ .
At noon we returned to "Shaar Hanegev" to "Ibim" students village where there is a memory point to San Diego student that was killed in a terrorist attack .
We conducted social activities, we learned the song of the Beatles "all together now" Jitli version. Then we swam in the swimming pool of "Kibbutz Mefalsim" It was nice to see the Bedouin girls enter the water wrapped with their long clothes and enjoyeding the situation.
From there we went to Gon's house and the team from San Diego made a Monopoly game with which we got to know San Diego city and the important places to that Hanichim group. The game was done with a lot of attention, and with a lot of experiences.
After an argument where to eat dinner: in "Sderot", in "Rahat", or at the gas station restaurant in "Kefar Aza". We decided to eat in "Kefar Aza." So, while buying food incident occurred at the border and we heard gunshots and lighting bombs. This all lasted a few minutes and then the quiet returned. Some Hanichim came to fear and hysteria. It was live practice of the meaning of living by the border.
Shaar Hanegev" participants tried to reassure and explained that now there will be quiet We finished eating and went back to Be'er Sheva. Chen said that after she saw the natural fear reactions of her friends, she was shocked at her condition of accepting such a shooting event as norma ot was bothersome to her, and shed light on the abnormal situation where she lives
In Beer Sheva we gathered to talk about the experiences we went through that day.
Questions:
1. Is there a better way of learning than to experience the event and participate in it? Home hospitality?, an event at the border?
2. Are home hospitality the culmination of Jitli project?
3. can co-parenting/ parent involvement contribute to the success of the project?

I received a link of an interview conducted by Michael with Gary and Jerry Ann about Jitli project that wasuploaded to YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwCTXEwOkyA&feature=sub
our videos

Reaching Shaar Hanegev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUWABhAa0ZY
Mefalsim Synagogue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtBPOvJCI7M
Gon Father
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxbhzHdp5CA
Alon Shuster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zghRC7g-xxg
About Us All Togather Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rP6JUA0f2M
Shabat Afternoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk53nA5138o

Waiting to your comments

Yitzik Koren

Last day in Jerusalem on the way home

2010-11-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

We saved our last morning in Jerusalem for community activities. The activity was in a school for deaf children in the city, A school where deaf pupils from all parts of the city are learning together. We divided into small groups, and we received the task to improve school yard: Creating a garden, recreational facilities for children, painting facilities in the school yard. The children helped us, and we managed to perform all tasks. Towards noon the kids prepared us drink and bread and salad and we ate together. We gathered in the gymnasium where the children danced for us and we, with Shosi Israeli's help, danced flamenco dancing for the children. Again the immediate connection between deaf children and Jitli hanichim was amazing.
At noon we went to visit Yad Vashem. The demand to visit Yad Vashem came from the Hanichim who saw the need to recognize the Holocaust period in Jewish history. The Bedouin Hanichim were not properly prepared for the experience of visiting the Holocaust Museum and the visit was very difficult for them, at the end of the visit each participant withdrewto himself and a proper conversation after the visit didn't develop.
We said goodbye to Jitli Peace Maker students as they went to the Wadi Ara and we went to the Negev. We Reached Ein Ovdat there we met ten Jitli alumni they guided us to walk along the Huvarim Wadi. In the evening, after walking for three hours, we reached Ein Ovdat parking place. There we ate dinner and had social activities organized by the alumni. Sitting around the campfire, the conversation about topics related to co-existence, with the darkness around created a very warm atmosphere Late at night the Hanichim entered the sleeping bags, sleeping under the sky that was lit with thousands of stars.
Questions that came while writing the post:
A. The combination of giving and receiving is a winning one, can we have a combination like that in the education system over the years we spend in the system?
b. What should be the goals of the visit in Yad Vashem of mixed groups of Jews and Arabs? What topics need to be developed for post-visit discussion?
c. Trip in nature, camping outside, what makes these activities so special?

Volunteering at the school for the deaf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ozxy5ideY

Before and after the visit atYad Vashem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjMZRYsAfCM

Wadi Huvarim walk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xNniOQcSU

Oscar Ceremony Jitli Summer Trip 2010

2010-10-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hi friends
I upload the videos' clips created by Jitli participants during the third day summer trip in the Banias river sources.
The videos' clips are without names, you are welcome to add the missing details and select the video clip that you like and to tell us why.
1e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1QAorZ4L8M

2e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahW79cnb6LU

3e

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usiaq5Em32Q

4e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6PnTdJ722Q

5e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q9VmF6aciM

6e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA0aN4-bjxw

8e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPwHmwK8GhE

I'm waiting to your comments.
Itzik Koren

Me and my Land in Jerusalem

2010-10-26T03:31:00.000-07:00

Me and my Land in Jerusalem
After a long night in the Western Wall tunnels, the next wake-up was a bit late, We went to the Haas Promenade We stopped at a statue of tolerance,Israeli Poland cooperation the artist :teschello dezavigaz. From there we reached the entrance of a water channel that was dug under the mountains , Underground water rench was dug to Jerusalem, 1 km long. Today, walking along the dry channel illustrates the water problem of Jerusalem throughout the generations. We left the channel near the building that was the British Governor's Palace. We walked along the Schreiber promenade, the Old City of Jerusalem, the mosques, spread out before us, looking spectacular.
From there we went to Willy Brandt center. Willy Brandt was the Chancellor of West Germany and was a friend of Israel. He strove for peace in his country, Germany that was also divided to two countries. Willy Brandt Center is located at the border between western and eastern Jerusalem. On one side of the building the new modern Jerusalem, on the other side – the neglected east part of the city . This striking difference demonstrats the problems of Jerusalem. In the Horizon we saw the wall separating the various parts of the city. During lunch, an argument developed between the students: should we visit the Shalit family's tent and express support for the family suffering as another victim of violence in our area? The debate was sharp, at first the Bedouin youth resisted, They completely identified with the Shalit family's pain but because it can be perceived political activity they needed the approval of the families. Finally it was decided to write a letter supporting the family on behalf of all Jitli members. In the afternoon we visited the Begin Heritage Center in the city. Begin Center was very interesting. The visit to the museum sections was of limited time and we could not be delayed to comment and ask questions. It was impossible not to notice the change in Menachem Begin over the years - he has become a symbol of peace in Israel.
The human side of the man during his last years was especially emotional. Towards evening, we went to Mahane Yehuda market to mix with Jerusalem citizens and to eat something authentic from the market.
We went back to school and heard a lecture and participated in a workshop by Martin Sesler on the similarities and differences in Judaism and Islam by stories in the Bible and the Quran, The subject interested the students and although it was held after a busy day of activities participation was remarkable.
The evening ended with the Oscar ceremony of the films prepared by hanichim groups in the third day in the Banias River.
The three facilitators led by Ahmad got the the students laughing to tears and declared the winner, you can see the video clip movies, and I will be happy to hear your opinion about them.
Questions which arose while writing the post:
1. Is it possible to be a religious man and an independent thinker?
2. Is it possible through technological means at our disposal to make the water issue a blessing and not a war?
3. should studying the various religions' similar stories be mandatory in schools to meet the other on the origins and beliefs?

video clips:

Me and my Land in Jerusalem morning hours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvo3mfJPTSs

Me and my Land in Jerusalem afternoon hours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWAjSUfDRoE
Gilad Shalit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAcC6diTKw8
Martin Sesler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_RhTgsmufw

THE OSKAR VIDEO CLIPS WILL BE HERE SOON

Democracy Day

2010-09-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

In the morning we visited the holy spring in Ein Kerem, where Maria, the mother of Jesus drank water. We climbed to the monastery, There we heard the story of one of the nuns who was born as a Jew and found herself at the end of her life as a nun in Jerusalem. Most of her life she was teaching Arabic children.
From there we went to the Supreme Court, one of the three strongholds of Israeli democracy. The Supreme Court building is amazingly beautiful many symbols are intertwined in it. We entered into the courtroom, We watched the court in which a citizen sued the state for the injustice done to him.
From there we went to the Knesset, the Israeli legislature- the parliament, here too we toured the building. Every time I visit the Knesset I'm excited because I'mat the heart of Israeli democracy. We entered the Knesset plenum and watched a debate which took place. Then we met three members of the Knesset. Member of the Knesset Dov Hanin, He told us about his activities in the Knesset for the benefit of Israel citizens. Member of the Knesset Shai Hermesh of is living in Kibbutz Kfar Aza from Shaar HaNegev who praised his friend Dov Hanin on activities and about the security situation in the Gaza Strip and the Hamas rule. And Arab Member of the Knesset Ibrahim Sarsur who spoke about the importance of peace and his activities for it.
At night we went to visit the Western Wall Tunnels, The tour guide is a member of the religious urban kibbutz in Jerusalem. The visit in the Western Wall Tunnels was fascinating. Fantasy mixes with reality in the city of Jerusalem during the time of Herod's Temple there, It was interesting. Along the tunnel according to the researchers there is a point closest to sanctuary Holies of the Temple, and despite the late hours of the night we found women parying devoutly. I heard again an interesting and dangerous claim, that the western wall is just a wall. The aspiration of the Jews today is where the Temple stood. Because it is the holiest site in Judaism.
Questions while writing the post:
1. What is the reason that Israel is the only real fortress of democracy in the middle east?
2. What are the reasons that the Supreme Court in Jerusalem became the ortress of every citizen in Israel? Regardless of sector of religion? Was it democracy? Was it the nature of the judges? Is the status of the Supreme Court in democratic countries the same as in Israel?
3. How can one resist the dangerous religious people from all religions who value life as insignificant compared to the holy sanctity in their eyes?

the video clips:

visiting Ein Karem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmUOm_JR-Q

visiting Kottel tunnels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysu_bLrKm10

I'm waiting to yout comments

Itzik Koren

Pilgrimage to the "Holy Sites"

2010-09-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

At wake-up, it was still dark outside. Morning drive to Mount Scopus went by quickly. We got to Mount Scopus and stopped near a observation point. The Hanichim got off the bus, their eyes were covered, they went hand in hand up to the observation point, then they were asked to remove the blindfold, the Old City of Jerusalem was was spread before them. It was an emotional moment, after a brief explanation the hanichim spoke about the meaning of Jerusalem for them: Capital city, the holy city, a beautiful city, a historical city. After an excellent breakfast, the mood improved and together they sang tremendous " Brother happiness Jitli empire" in Hebrew, Arabic and Spanish.
We reached the old city; the first stop was on the Temple Mount, the two mosques. Entrance to the mosques is only allowed to Muslims, We toured the mosques square, Our task was to interview tourists and ask what Jerusalem means to them, we interviewed many people from different countries and the answers were interesting. (See video clip) From there we went to the Western Wall. Those days were the days before Memorial Day of Temple destruction, and the Western Wall plaza was full with praying people. Our fellow Muslims were afraid to enter the plaza, but soon they saw that there is no reason to be afraid. During this visit in the Western Wall I began to hear the statement that the Western Wall is just a stone wall and not worthy of the most holy place for Jews. That statement came from very religious Jews and it surprised me.
After a break for lunch in the streets of the Christian Quarter We went to the Church of Holy Sepulcher., Here, too, as well as in the Western Wall we continued to interview people about the significance of Jerusalem for them. And the answers were varied: The priest who came from Greece and serves the Holy Sepulcher claimed that there is not a city like Jerusalem in the world, London and Paris are very small Compared to Jerusalem, the young man who came from Italy explained that he should be a Catholic but he is not religious and he came to Jerusalem to see the places that his mother talked about in his childhood. The professor who came from U.S., he claimed that everything is politics and to cross a road is as dangerous as to visit Israel.
The woman said that, thanks to science and DNA discovery she now know that difference between people is so small, insignificant and therefore people in the world have to live in peace. The talks with the pilgrims made the trip to the holy places very unique. (See video clip).
In the evening we gathered to hear a lecture by Dr. Neil Lazaros " Middle East Update". Most of his speech was about the Hamas in Gaza and about the Injustice that makes the Hamas rule the residents of Gaza, He tried to prove it in movies and facts. Our Muslim brothers found it difficult to accept Neil's description. For some of them Hamas has only brought honor to Gaza Palestinians. There was an argument, painful but honorable. Jews and Muslims, each side tried to defend his position: Hamas is a terrorist organization, Hamas is good to the Arabs of Gaza. We ended the evening talking in groups Jitli and Jitli Peace Makers trying to explain and to bring people together. Ibrahim touched everyone when he told us about his brother, a Bedouin soldier who died protecting the Gaza border. It was a great expression of emotion, and the complex situation in which we live.
The questions that came to me during the writing this post:
1. is religion a belief or a livelihood? 2. How come the most holy places instead of being a places of unity have become a source of hatred?
3. What is the difference between Muslim Hamas and the extremist Jewish movements? Who's worse?

sun rise on jerusalem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIyzd0qnfIk

2010what jerusalem means to me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QKysuDwnUM

holy jerusalem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6k9OOzPQNw

neil lazaros
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n65fivPLV_A

I'm waiting to your comments, answers

Itzik Koren

Acre the City of co-existence

2010-09-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Theatre, an International Language - in Acre the City of co-existence

We left the Galilee to Jerusalem and on our way we stopped in Acre. A city where Jews and Arabs are living together, an Ancient city and a new city.
In Acre we visited the temple of Baha Allah and the Gardens Baha gi
Lovely gardens, similar to the Bahai Gardens in Haifa. We saw some trees hundreds of years old, these trees 'saw' during their lifetime a lot of events including the founder of the Bahai religion who lived and was buried in Acre.
We visited the temple where he is buried, we were impressed by the simplicity and dignity of this place.
The Bahá'í religion talks about human unity.
To promote human unity, the following principles were set:
the abandonment of all forms of prejudice
assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men
recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth
the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth
the realization of universal education
the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth
the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations
recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge
First question: Is there anyone that these principles don't suit?
From there we continued theJewish-Arab theater in Acre.
There, an actor named Khaled gave us a theater workshop Including games designed to further lower the barriers of individual participants. Cooperation was full and there were many moments of laughter and relaxation and ease. At the end of the workshop spoke to us a resident of Acre that two of his brothers were killed during the Second Lebanon war from rockets. He shared with us great pain and insights that there's no room for hatred and revenge, but for cooperation based on humanity.
Second question: Are the people we met in Acre, a mixed city, treat the subject of co-existence in a different way ? from Tel Aviv citizens .

Third question: Could you feel the common Languages in Akko? Theater? Food?
Participants were given lunch money and they dispersed into Acre's special market and enjoyed its rich assortment.

After lunch we dealed with the question : who am I?

It took about 3 hours to reach Jerusalem . We dispersed to mama groups to conclude the summer trip so far. A large screen was spread out in the yard prior to broadcast of the final game of the World Cup. The boring game caused participants to go to their rooms to rest. The next day's activities will start before sunrise

The video Clips:

The Bahai Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS9If2GA0cY

Theatre Games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1qVgvH7V7o

Haled Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNhCdSP2-bw

Moti Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvaMTTCk3wY

Who Am I?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw-tycRxm78

Shaar Hanegev Mama Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SSiW1WE3eI

Waiting to your comments

Itzik Koren

Saturday - the fourth day of jitli summer trip

2010-09-08T02:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday - the fourth day of jitli summer trip
The activity was scheduled to begin at 10 am. The young counselors decided to make another "team spirit" activity, so they woke the hanichim up at five am, Took them out of their rooms, to watch the sunrise together among other actions,. We, the adult educators slept in the same time, so I'd love to see pictures and hear stories about this activity.
Then the day began again at ten in the morning, Because the Sabbath the activities were around the hostel in Tel Hai. We started at Tel Hai , the settlement , where Joseph Trumpeldor was killed defending .. The hanichim visited the site museum and heard the story of Trumpeldor.
It was interesting to hear that in the past, the Jews and the Shi'ite Muslims were like brothers, kept each other, Today the situation is different.
The second stop was to visit a stash in Kibbutz Kfar Giladi, it seemed that we could not be on time and so as not to disappoint the kibbutz member who was waiting for us to visit, We the educators went to hear the fascinating story of one of the stash of Kfar Giladi .( see video clip)
After lunch we visited the Museum of Photography at Tel Hai industrial center that combines art and industry, we saw fascinating photos of Israel since the beginning of the 20th century. the name of the photographer is sShweig Shmuel Yosef. No doubt his photography was at the level of art.
We saw the technique in three dimensions as it developed early last century
Photo games workshop was carried out and the results can be seen in special pictures.
Toward the evening, we gathered for activities to learn how to listen to each other,
Halil and I presented a conflict between neighbors, and showed how good will and paying attention can solve the the majority of conflicts
Shoshi Israeli came to Tel Hai to demonstrate and teach the Hanichim how to dance flamenco. There were three workshops to an end the Hanichim danced flamenco drummed and sang. The source of Flamenco dance is in Spain. it recalls the glory days of Spain where Jews and Muslims lived together and created and wrote. It wasa joyous evening with a lot of positive energy. Thank you Shosi.
Questions:
1. Tel Hai story is a good example of different narratives in different perspectives, Jewish and Arab residents of the Galilee, Arab Shia people of Lebanon will tell a significant historical event in different perspective. Does the story become a unifier or separator?.
2.A successful entrepreneur Stef Wertheimer, is his story typical? what can I as a jitli member can learn from his story?
3. Art of photography, art in the dance, Is there a lot of good in art because the arts speak the same language to all people?
4. Does a constructive way to resolve conflicts depend on the initial approach of the litigants?
Happy New Year and Eed El Fitter Mubbarach

I'm waiting to your comments

Tel Hai Activity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2VWyOhx9IQ

A Stash in Kibbutz Kfar Giladi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sazd35DxQq8

The Museum of Photography at Tel Hai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPWAzdyfpFQ

Activities to Learn How to Llisten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDfFg-muXpY

Halil and Itzik Presented a Conflict Between Neighbors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1zYwmIt_RM

Flamenco Evning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w0kOVrNkY8

Itzik Koren

The third Day jitli summer trip was a Friday

2010-09-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

The third Day jitli summer trip was a Friday
Know the other through religion

The second night passed quietly, except for group of participants smoking hookah (shisha ).
The excuses for the Jewish guys who brought the hookah were that this is a sure way to approach the Bedouins and that was the main purpose for smoking. Despite the convincing argument smoking Hookah was banned during the journey.
We started the morning with a walk along the Banias River on its new hanging bridges. It was very nice track, noise and intensity of water flow in summer it was foreign to residents of the Negev. From there we drove to the Banias River sources, we saw and learned about this sacred place. Here we divided into four groups and each group filmed a documentary video clip that connected the Banias River and coexistence problems. The participants were creative and excited and interest and so were the products that were produced.

The participation of the Hanichim in the video production was full, some in photography and some were acting and some in organization and cooperation and consideration each other was full.
Afternoon in the woods near the Banias River sources, a group of Muslim participants explained us the essence of Muslim Pray. And also they prayed for all of us to Alla. These were very touching moments with a special atmosphere.
From there we drove to the city of Kabbalah, Safed . We toured the Mount Kna'an and the Independence War Memorial on its top. The monument was dirty and neglected. Under the monument there is a rock-hidden in a pit where Safed Jewish residents come to pray and to be with their God. We entered the pit we were in darkness, and then we began to sing. Part of the songs were religious songs and part was nonsense songs.
The singing of Jitli group in this place under the ground in Zefat the Kabalim city brought us together, with sensations incomprehensible (to me) of holiness.
Then we toured the ancient alleys of Safed before the Sabbath entered, few people were rushing in the streets
Jonathan Foreman, the friend of Eran our guide who was penitent) hosted us in his home .He told us his life story and the reasons that caused him to be a religious man. Through my eyes the crises he went through - of his mother's death and his brother death in a car accident left him with many questions unanswered. Partial answers, again in my eyes Jonathan found in religion. However Jonathan is impressive man he spoke with soothing voice of a man who is really a believer.
From there we went back to the streets of Safed, Old City, and near the old mosque in the city the Hanichim spoke about their feelings after their experiences during the day. "The first time we participated in a Muslim prayer ""First time I spoke with an Orthodox Jew with wigs" "I did not understand what the meaning of the Muazzin voices sound ( the man who call the Muslim prayer to come to the mosque) across the border".
In the evening the Jewish participants made Kiddush" for Shabat in the dining room.
We attended the evening in a cultural way; each group expressed its culture passages (see videos).
Hezi brought two chocolate cakes to mark the birthday of Chen and Dory.
The Saturday program was scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.
The questions came to mind while writing this blog:
1. What's the role of God in human history?
2. What is common in all Monotheistic religions, those who believe in one

God?
3. Is being a religious believer in the 21st century a weakness or strength?

the video clips:

Banias hanging bridges

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzCt1yyu9PI

Muslim Pray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwsqZEiqYE

Tzfat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LkvuGqj8JI

Learning from experiences

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mc52-AhwV8

Jewish pray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrTvnEIkiT0

Culture night - Laqia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tYSFBIk2tc

Culture night - Saar Hanegev
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmUlEOh3h_U

Culture night - San Diego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znxgNPAfeaw

Culture night - Segev Shalom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq9Wcpl5TyY

I'm waiting to your comments

Itzik Koren

The second day 8/7/2010: getting to know each other better.

2010-08-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

The second day 8/7/2010: getting to know each other better.

The participants arrived in time to the buses,(in my eyes it was kind of miracle to be in time after the first night together).
We forgot to wake the medics so it created a delay of half an hour.
We climbed up to the Golan Height to the point where according to our belief there happened covenant between Abraham and God,
We divided into two groups and began playing integration games. The goal was knowing each other better and functioning as a group. The tasks were done in the best way, the instructors spoke about the excellent performances of the groups and as a group.
It was the first hint that most participants were high-quality people.
From there we continued to the restored " Qal'at Nimrod". It is a fortress located on top of a mountain. The young councilors built a game based on stations in the fortress. Groups ran from station to station performing the tasks as best possible. was surprised to discover that " Qal'at Nimrod" is the structure of Muslim origin. The fortress was built around 1229 by Al-Aziz Uthman., Christian Crusaders then took control and continued to build the fortress.
As I described before " Qal'at Nimrod" is sitting on a mountaintop and the panoramic view from all directions is spectacular. Galilee panhandle in front of us in the west side, Mount Hermon in the north and the Golan Heights from north to the south (see pictures and videos).
Seriousness of the young leaders was the main reason for the success of the fortress game. From there we went to the Hasbani (Snir) River, We ate pizza for lunch and organized a walk in the river stream. The walk in the water was refreshing.
Sound of water and shade of plane trees contributed and created special atmosphere.
In the last station it was allow to enter the river and to swim to the Jewish boys and girls it was not a problem to jump to the water. Slowly all the other entered the water.
It was special to see the Bedouin girls covered with clothes coming to the water without a problem to get cool and to join the happiness.
In the evening we gathered at the inn for further consolidation. The participants tried to come up with a song about jitli. I also got into the creative mood, I wrote a song that the participants liked because it was a little different.
J,I,T,L,I
WE NEVER TELL A LIE
J,I,T,L,I
SUMMER TRIP I'LL TELL YOU WHY
J,I,T,L,I
JEWS AND ARABS TOGETHER HI
Ibrahim headed the team to perform the song as a rap-style song. At the end of the evening the participants already sang it in a rap style.
The young councilors played a show as a way to clarify their expectations about the behavior and function during the trip.
The second night began..
The questions came to mind while writing this blog:
1. Is the best way to study history of the place is just being in the same place to see it, smell it, feel it?
2. Is the best way to know the other better is to be together and experience together different experiences?

I'd love your comments

jutli sumer trip second day clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRVFNvRVlSA

the second day working as a gruop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrhKqAQeFY
kalhat numerod second day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKtMioMJad0

jitli summer trip 2010 water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvRwlIRDjXA
jitli summer trip 2010 second day never tell a lie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHb6zGjeOgw

jitli summer trip 2010 hat water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTpGoJEgFAk

Itzik Koren

The first day – The opening ceremony of Jitli summer trip 2010

2010-08-08T01:05:00.000-07:00

The first day – The opening ceremony of Jitli summer trip 2010

The bus collected the participants from Segev Shalom, Lakiya and Shaar Hanegev and turned to the airport to welcome San Diego USA participants.
In the bus there was already a good atmosphere. The participants tried to get to know each other. Date cookies that brought Bedouin girls from Lakiya made everyone happy.
We got to the airport in time, the reception was exciting, In this Internet era, it seemed the participants already knew each other.
We turned toward Tel Hai, A truck overturned on road number six created a traffic jam...over two hours of delay.
The long bus ride, with all in a closed place, got the participants to try to recognize each other, mixing could be seen already
We arrived late at night to Tel Hai, It is a lovely view point. At night, the lights around made us feel the special atmosphere.
We gathered together Jitli and Jitli Peace Makers outside on the grass and heard the blessing of Schneider ,Jitli program General Manager.
We learned to dance in the first time the "ahahim" "brothers, joy, Jitli, an empire "in Hebrew and Arabic.
Then we gathered inside and started the opening ceremony of the journey. Each group had prepared a show which introduced the participants and something constituting the group stages preparing for the journey. The participants exchanged gifts.
With good family atmosphere the participants went to sleep in their rooms, in each room was a representative of each community.
The video clips and photos are additional to the story of the first day.

The questions came to mind during writing this blog:

a. Who should participate in a co-existence program such as Jitli? One who really wants or the one that the educators think fits?
b. What motivates teenagers to give up two and half weeks of the summer vacation for a co-existence project such as Jitli?
c. What is the level of openness required to know the other culture? To break stereotypes?
I'd love to see answers to these questions.

The video clips adresses:

The first hours in the bus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUe44fh3ZQ

The first "ahahim"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TWyF1WvCWw

San Diego got talents Jitli 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVfa_Au4iGE

I'm waiting to your comments, answers

Itzik Koren

Jitli summer trip 2010

2010-07-28T02:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome Jerusalem
Jitli summer trip 2010

Summer trip this year was amazing.
JITLI (JACOBS INTERNATIONAL TEENLEADERSHIP INSTITUTE) is a project that deals with co-existence between Jews and Muslim Arabs. The participants are Jewish youth from Israel and the United States and Muslim youth from the Negev Bedouin community.
The project is based on learning to know your neighbors up to the most personal levels This project is the vision of the Jacobs family from San Diego. Gary and Jerri-ann Jacobs.
The 40 participants of this project are:10 Jewish teenagers from Shaar Hanegev Israel, 10 from San Diego USA, 10 Bedouin teenagers from Segev Shalom and 10 from Laquiya .All participants are at the end of the 11th grade. The number of the boys equals to the number of the girls. During the year each community prepares itself to the challenging summer trip. The beginning point of the trip is equal to all the communities.
At the same time another summer trip takes place, of a group called "Peace Makers Jitli Mexico." This summer trip is built on the same principles of Jitli but the participants come from the villages of Arara and kara in Wadi Ara, Menashe Regional Council and New Mexico city. The northern branch is funded by the Sternberg families from Mexico and San Diago.
I participated Jitli summer trip so the coverage will focus on the experiences of the southern branch of the project.The teenager boys and girls were fascinating, full of admiration and curiosity and were ready to discuss the questions and conflicts that rose during the trip.Some of the questions were

1.what is my identity? Jewish or Israeli? Jewish or American? Moslem, Palestinian, Israeli, Bedouin? What is my personal order?

2. Modernization and traditions, religions and traditions, what is my personal preference? We visited synagogues, mosques, churches. We found a lot of subjects that are similar in those religions.

3. Boys and girls that are from each other culturally and religiously, what are the possibilities of building bridges of friendship among them?

4. What are the feelings to experience historical events in the places they happened?

5. What is the contribution of such a trip to the advancements of the relationship between Jewish and Bedouins that live together in the Negev?
6.How to build a dialogue with mutual respect that has both listening and arguments?
I finalize this post by giving my opinion about the cultural differences among the communities.The American youth are very much involved, we can feel and hear them, they always have something to say; they know the limits between allowed and forbidden ( usually).The Bedouin youth are very sensitive, quiet, and proud in their tradition and keep it as best possible. During the trip they always came to me and asked if I need any help, to carry, to sit….most of them say their opinions out loud only if it suits the tradition and religion, but some of them very bravely said their opinions although it was against their accepted tradition. There were many and varied opinions (surprise) The Jewish Israeli youth think, they are sensitive, have what to say, protecting Israeli positions, there is a collective responsibility, a demand of their "rights".
I enclose the summer trip planFrom the next post I'll describe the trip, every day its' stories, pictures, feeling…..questionsI'll be more then happy to read your comments, questions, opinion…..

video clip: faces and places - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZVrXYhi564

Near Ben Gurion Grave in Sede Boker

Jitli wall at Abu-Kef Fam

جتلي رحلة صيف 2010رحلة الصيف وكان هذا العام مدهشة.جتلي (معهد الدولي جاكوبس للقيادة ألشابه) هو المشروع الذي يتناول التعايش بين اليهود والعرب المسلمين. من المشاركين هم من الشباب اليهود من إسرائيل والولايات المتحدة والشباب المسلم من المجتمع البدوي في النقب.ويستند هذا المشروع على التعلم لمعرفة جيرانكم ما يصل إلى المستويات الأكثر خصوصية هذا المشروع هو رؤية العائلة جاكوبس من سان دييغو. غاري وجيري آن جاكوبس.المشاركون 40 من هذا المشروع هي : 10 المراهقين اليهود من الشعار النقب إسرائيل ، و 10 من سان دييغو الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية ، و 10 من البدو من المراهقين شقيب السلام و 10 من اللقيه, جميع المشاركين في نهاية الصف 11th. عدد الأولاد على قدم المساواة لعدد من الفتيات. وخلال العام لكل مجتمع تعد نفسها لرحلة الصيف تحديا. نقطة بداية الرحلة تساوي جميع الطوائف.في الوقت نفسه آخر رحلة الصيف يحدث ، من مجموعة تسمى صانعي السلام "." بنيت هذه الرحلة الصيف على نفس المبادئ من جتلي لكن المشاركين تأتي من قرى عرعرة وكارا في وادي عارة ، المجلس الإقليمي منشه ونيو مكسيكو سيتى. ويمول الفرع الشمالي لعائلة ستيرنبرغ من المكسيك.شاركت جتلي رحلة الصيف لذلك سوف تركز على تغطية تجارب الفرع الجنوبي من المشروع.وكان فتى الفتيان والفتيات رائعة ، كامل من الإعجاب والفضول ، وكانوا على استعداد لمناقشة المسائل والصراعات التي ارتفعت خلال الرحلة.وكان بعض من الأسئلة :1. ماذا هي هويتي؟ اليهودي أو الإسرائيلي؟ اليهودي أو الأمريكي؟ مسلم، فلسطينية وإسرائيلية والبدو؟ ما هو طلبي الشخصية؟2. الحداثة والتقاليد والديانات والتقاليد، وتفضيل ما هو رأيي الشخصي؟ قمنا بزيارة المعابد والمساجد والكنائس. وقد وجدنا الكثير من المواضيع التي تشبه في تلك الأديان.3. الفتيان والفتيات التي هي من بعضها البعض ثقافيا ودينيا، ما هي إمكانيات لبناء جسور الصداقة فيما بينها؟4. ما هي المشاعر لتجربة الأحداث التاريخية في الأماكن التي حدث؟5. ما هي مساهمة رحلة من هذا القبيل إلى التطورات في العلاقة بين اليهود والبدو الذين يعيشون معا في النقب؟6كيف لبناء حوار مع الاحترام المتبادل لديها على حد سواء الاستماع والحجج؟أنا الانتهاء من هذه الوظيفة عن طريق إعطاء رأيي حول الاختلافات الثقافية بين المجتمعات.الشباب الأميركي كثيرا المعنية ، يمكننا أن نرى ونسمع منهم ، لديهم دائما ما يقولونه هم يعرفون الحدود بين المسموح والممنوع (عادة).شباب البدو حساسة جدا، هادئة، والفخر في تقاليدهم وإبقائه على أفضل وجه ممكن. خلال الزيارة التي جاءت دائما لي وسئل عما إذا كنت بحاجة إلى أي مساعدة، لتنفيذ، للجلوس... معظمهم من القول إلا من آرائهم بصوت عال إذا ما يتناسب مع التقاليد والدين ، ولكن البعض منهم شجاعة للغاية وقال على الرغم من آرائهم كان ضد تقاليدهم المقبولة. وكانت هناك آراء كثيرة ومتنوعة (مفاجأة)الشباب اليهود الإسرائيليين يعتقدون ، لحساسية القضية ، وماذا أقول ، وحماية المواقع الإسرائيلية ، فإن هناك مسؤولية جماعية ، والطلب من حقوق "هم".أرفق خطة رحلة الصيفمن مرحلة ما بعد المقبل وسوف أكون وصف الرحلة ، كل يوم من قصص وصور ، والشعور... الأسئلةسأكون أكثر من سعيدة لقراءة تعليقاتكم ، والأسئلة ، والرأي...

koren yitzhak

who read this blog?

2009-02-28T01:29:00.000-08:00

hello jitli family
I analyzed this blog with Google tool calls:Google analytics and I was surprised to see that people from 31 countries read this blog.
Here is the table:
Detail Level:
Country/Territory
Visits
1.Israel 204
2.United States 146
3.Spain 17
4.Morocco 13
5.Mexico 13
6.United Kingdom 7
7.Canada 6
8.France 5
9.Slovakia 4
10.Jordan 4
11.Peru 3
12.Algeria 2
13.Ireland 2
14.Italy 2
15.Philippines 2
16.Tunisia 2
17.South Africa 2
18.Hong Kong 2
19.Malaysia 2
20.Oman 1
21.Argentina 1
22.Rwanda1
23.Germany 1
24.Sri Lanka 1
25.Australia 1
26.Norway 1
27.Sweden 1
28.Greece 1
29.Ukraine 1
30.Saudi Arabia 1
31.Netherlands 1
If someone from those country who read this blog ready to share with us his / her feeling, thought, tell us about himself /herself, I'll be more than grateful.
ITZIK KOREN

let us write

2009-01-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

I will be grateful for the English reader who will correct my English in this post.

Let us write about the war

The last war was especially hard for me, I and my family were victim to war aggression, and the views from the television screen from Gaza were difficult.
I want to start from the end. Today Monday The first day of a cease-fire towards evening, I opened the newspaper, Suddenly fell on the floor a sticker I lifted it up in which it was written " It won't stop until we talk" the Palestinian and Israeli members of the bereaved families forum for peace.
(http://www.theparentscircle.com/about.asp )

Last night my friend sent to me the blog of Dr. Tamar Hagar from Tel Haye College in which she tells about the Arab Jewish dialogue going at the college. On the one hand, the dialogue flood the disagreements while on the other hand, it cause positive and constructive Jewish Arabic activities.( blog address:
http://jadialogue.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-post_27.html )

Two days earlier we followed with great sorrow after the tragedy of Dr. Abu El Esh that bereaved his three daughters when Tank fired on the house. It was very impressive to see even though the Bereavement he remains believes in peace.

And before that I participated at Jaffa 2nd meeting and I listened to Jewish and Arab personalities from all political colors, right and left, Speaking in a cultural
way, show their positions with courage, understanding that we must agree how to disagree. The atmosphere was respected.
The participants were respected despite the difficulty of reporting news released.

And before, Captain Omar Rubinovitz was killed. He was Rina son. She is a teacher; I worked with Rina in Kaye College. This is sadness that has no end.

Earlier Qassam fell 20 meters from my house, hard experience, the windows glasses smashed; it was miracle that no one was hard wounded.

And before, my living region fired Kassam missiles and it was very unpleasant.
And before was cease-fire agreement and was peace in our region and we enjoyed our wonderful weather.
And before I participated in JITLI summer trip, three weeks of intense acquaintance between teenagers Israeli Jews and Bedouin youth from the Negev and Jewish teenagers from San Diego U.S.
In that summer trip we had noticed the advantages of shared experience and direct speech.

I think that I had a lot luck to be part in such experience. I now understand the importance of meeting together, the common daily speech, some time anger feeling, empathy, sympathy.
We must continue to talk, We must continue respect one another, know our friends, let us make the most broad based as possible to life in peace and without fear, we are all lovers of life.

Let us write about what we think on Jitli project following the war what this project contributed to us? In what way it help us? Who is not able to respond to the blog can send me his comments and I'll put them there.
Itzik Koren

We must agree how to disagree!

2009-01-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

Israel summer 2006 – The Second Lebanon War
Jewish - Arab relations in Israel in deep crisis
Israel winter 2009 – War in Gaza
Jewish - Arab relations in Israel in deep crisis
How shall we come out of it? Is there a chance for “shared life”?
What is acceptable and what isn’t in times of war? What are the limits of protest?
And why bring it up now – when things are boiling over?
Because this time, it seems, that the crisis is deeper. And if we don’t talk - it can only get
worse We must agree how to disagree!
Please enter in your diary our invitation to an encounter and open discussion of
these crucial and painful issues
On the agenda:
• A glance at Arab society in Israel in times of war – an inside glance
• War, oncoming elections, Jews and Arabs – what next? – A political discussion
• And what if women were at the helm of power?
• A spotlight on Turkey – Moslems and Jews
• A spotlight on Hamas, PLO, and Arab-Jewish relations in Israel
• War, Arab –Jewish relations from the Jabotinsy school of thought
Participants:
*MK Rabbi Michael Melchior, Green Movement - Meimad * MK Zeev Elkin, Likud *
Salman Natour, author and co-editor of Du-Et * MK Dr. Hana Swaid, Hadash * Aida
Touma-Sliman, director,Women Against Violence * Dr. Mari Totry, Oranim College *
Salem Joubran, poet, former editor of “Al-Ittihad” * Ebtissam Mar’ana, film director *
Samih al-Qasim, poet and honorary editor of “ Kul al-Arab” * Ilan Gilon, The New Movement-
Meretz * Dr. Alon Liel, former director of the Foreign Ministry and Charge d’Affaires
of Israel in Turkey * Yochanan Tzoref, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies * Dr.
Sarah Ozacky-Lazar, The Citizens’ Accord Forum * Dr. Yossi Achimeir, Jabotinsky Institute
* Dr. Yunas Abu-Rabia, Soroka Hospital * Daniel Ben-Simon, Labor candidate for
the Knesset * Lior Sagi, Amnon Beeri- Sulitzeanu and Mohammad Darawshe, Abraham
Fund Initiatives * Udi Cohen and Ibrahim Abu-Shindi, Citizens’ Accord Forum
For details and registration at the Citizens’ Accord Forum offices – tel: 02-6731118
The discussions will be conducted in Hebrew
Israel 2009: Jews, Arabs – unavoidable conflict?
the meeting will be 15.1.09 between 16:00-20:30 kedem st. 109 Jaffa

War in Gaza

2008-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

Shalom
Today ,the Jewish people, light the last candle of Hanukah,( A holiday that symbolize light and hope ! ) we, the people involved in the JITLI-PEACMAKERS Family ,committed to maintain the “Light ! “,the light of hope for the day “after the war ! “ We support you ,send you our love and urge you to ,communicate with each other , support our participant and graduates, listen to them and strengthen their connections ,that they will be able ,the day after, to lead to a better and peaceful future !
Love and support you all
Yaacov Schneider

Dear Yaacob:
We strongly agree with you. Your words are soothing to our souls. Let´s hope to make a difference among our Jitli-Peacemakers family, thinking, feeling and acting with love and hope among ourselvelves.
Best wishes and love to all of you.
Leon and Frida

DEAR JITLI FAMILY
I AM MAYBE THE OLDEST PERSON THAT BELONGS TO JITLI FAMILY.
I KNOW THAT THE GREATEST CRIMES IN HUMAN HISTORY WERE MADE BY THE NAME OF GOD.
MY FATHER WHO WAS A HOLOCAUST SURVIVER ASKED ME "DONT FORGET TO BE A MAN".
I LOVE YOU ALL
I AM SURE THAT WE TOGATHER CAN BUILD BETTER WORLD. WE CAN TRUST ONE ANOTHER WE CAN HELP ONE ANOTHER WE CAN LIVE TOGATHER
ITZIK KOREN

The last day of Jitli summer trip 2008

2008-12-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

The last day of Jitli summer trip 2008

We got up very late, sleeping in Suliman tent and the last party in Segev Shalom, took many sleeping hours from us.
The first meeting that day was with Amal ElSana. You can see her lecture in the last post. She spoke to the teenagers as future leaders and suggested to them: do or act with your belief what you must do. To be a leader is not a question how old you are. nothing is impossible. Keep asking questions and always keep finding answers to your questions. If you will not be part of a solution you will remain part of the problem.
Before dinner every participant summed up in writing: what is Jitli for me? What was the most significant event during the summer trip? What I will never forget…. For example Dor wrote: Jilli for me was a great deep experience, it was not a kind of trip with friends, it is a project that gets you and your friends to think , some time you feel that no one listens to you but finally, you understand that you touch the heart of all the teenagers, staff, everyone. The most significant event for me was my feelings, storm of feelings that I passed and I am sure that every one of us the teenagers felt a strong feelings of great belonging. It was the most amazing feeling during this trip, I will never forget our visit in the Afro-American church when they mentioned our mane and purposes in this trip all the prayer stood up and clapped for us.
The last activity was about stereotypes. Before the trip every participant from all the communities answered a questionnaire about his point of view on Israeli Jews, American Jews, Muslim Bedouins, and they got the same questionnaire in the last day. We checked if there was any change in the stereotypes after the journey. The answers were conclusive about change, many of the stereotypes smashed. After last supper together the American participants went to the airport and the others to their homes. Jitli summer trip 2008 comes to its end.
I want to thank the Jacobs family for this unique experience. Gary and Jerri-Ann you are really wonderful people- idealistic warm and proud Jews.
I will continue to publish in this blog about Jitli

love you all
itzik koren

AMAL MEANS HOPE

2008-12-09T22:50:00.000-08:00

AMAL MEANS HOPE
During last day activities we heard Amal El Shana' a brave Bedouin woman.
Look to this video and judge yourself.

enjoy

Itzik Koren

Hospitality in the Negev

2008-12-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

Hospitality in the Negev.
Saturday - Sha'ar Hanegev's day. We drove alongthe way from Jerusalem to the south in beautiful landscape of the Jerusalem hills. On the way we stopped near Kibbutz Nativ Ha Lamed He that is situatated in Emek Haella Valley, there, we referred to the story of David and Goliath, and to the story of the 35 soldiers in the Israeli war of independence. Later we stopped at the scenic point of Mitzpeh Mashua in front of us we saw most parts of the South of Israel.A panoramic view of Hebron Mountains, Kiryat Gat town, Askelon, Asdod, Ramle. Mitzpe Mashua served as a place to light beacons to inform the new moon. We got to Kibbutz Ruhama, we received an explanation on the kibbutz from Shaked's mother. We Visited the founders site of the kibbutz. After lunch the teenagers dispersed among Shaar Hanegev families. We gathered again in the evening meeting with Jitli alumni. The testimonies of the alumni how Jilli influenced their lives were very exciting.
The next day was Lakyah day. We started with social and sport games, in the Lahav forest. Later we visited the women business in Lakiya. The home hospitality felt like we were kings towards evening we drove to Mitzpe Ramon to be guests in Bedouin tent, Shalman tent. He told us his life story. The next morning we went on foot to Mitzpe Ramon- Beer Sheva road and from there we drove to our next activity at Desert Farm "Tzel Midbar".
The activity was based on environmental issues, each group built a model of village that was based on JITLI laws and ecology principles.
Our next activity was: "Explore the Bedouin land"- drive through the "unrecognized villages". We reached to Beer Hayil or Beer el Hadag and there in the middle of no where the government built a school to the Bedouin children.
We spoke with the school director who told us about that special school.
From there we were driven by safari car to Segev Shalom. We saw the unrecognized villages and its Bedouin population that are living with many difficulties.
We reached Segev Shalom and immediately we were taken to home hospitality and again the teenagers said that it was excellent. In the evening we gathered for graduation jitli project party. Most of the parents came to be with us. After thanks and summing we announced who will be the young counselors for the nest year activities. We went to light inscription fire, with Jitli 08 written. After the dance party we went back to sleep in Eshal Hanasih school' there again we gained excellent hospitality.
The nest day was the last day of Jitli 2008 summer trip. We summed the trip and it will be in the next post.
This post is without questions.

Shaar Hanegev Hospitality

Alumni Event

lAQUIA HOSPITALITY

SEGEV SHALOM HOSPITALITY

enjoy

Itzik

Jerusalem of Democracy, Mankind, Lands

2008-11-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Jerusalem of Democracy, Mankind, Lands
The third day of our visit in Jerusalem was democracy day. We visited the "Kneset" building. We experienced all the security examination, and the "Knesset" guide was with us. The wall tapestry made by Mark Shagal was beautiful; all the history of the Jewish nation was on this tapestry. After visiting the Knesset plenum hall we met two Knesset members: an Arab Knesset member Zhahalka and a Jewish one Malkior who was a minister too. The questions of the participants were about co existent, daily life and the answers were according their political point of view.
We lunched at the rose garden near the Knesset building and then we entered the Supreme Court building. The view points in the supreme court yard are such, that from one side you can see the government building and from the other side you can see the knesset building, this view point is the Israeli democracy essence.
The tour in the Supreme Court building was very interesting. We received explanation about its wonderful planning, like the natural sunny light that lights the building. We met a Bedouin judge who was born in Tel Sheva near Beer Sheva . he told us his fascinating life story with a great sense of humor.
Early in the evening we met Idan and Basem. Idan is a Israeli play writer and Basem is an Arab who is lives in east Jerusalem and was in the Israeli prison. He lost his daughter in a Israeli army operation. They belong to organization that supports dialog and not revenge. They told use their stories, the touching story of Basem touched sensitive Idan and he wrote a play about Basem's story. It was a very special evening.
Early in the night we visited David Tower. We climbed to the highest view point on the roof of the castle. The panoramic view of Jerusalem at this night was very exciting. Then we went to the Kottel tunnels. It was like going in time machine back in history. We stood in a point in the tunnel that is the nearest place to the holiest place in the Jewish temple, we saw remains of big fires from the past there, we walked on a street that remained from the second temple time. We finished our visit very late 3 a.m. We reached again the Kottel yard, there, life goes on without any pause.
The next day was Adam Adama Day - men and land in Jerusalem. We walked from the school we slept at, to Ein Karem village. It was a very hot day. Afterward we traveled to the proconsul palace in east Jerusalem and we entered again to a tunnel the ancient citizens of Jerusalem passed water to Jerusalem. We reached to the proconsul palace promenade, where divided into groups there in groups we sum our visit in Jerusalem. In the horizon we saw the wall that separates Jerusalem from the west bank.
In the evening we returned to Ein Karem to receive the Shabbat and then we went to Israeli Arab girls' choir that came to us from the Galilee, afterward there was a dancing party that went on into the night.
So we neared to the last part of our journey: home hospitality in Shaar Hanegev, Lakiya and Segev Shalom.
Questions:
A. The Israeli Democracy situated in beautiful thoughtful desiged building so why is the Israeli democracy so ugly?
B. Is Jerusalem more beautiful during the day or during the night? What is outstanding in Jerusalem during the day and what is outstanding during the night?
C. Do we, in Jitli project have any roll in changing Jerusalem to be the city of peace?
D. We met so many points of co-existent in Jerusalem;would it influence us in short term? In long term?

enjoy

Itzik

A Letter form Shaar Hanegev Participants to the Group

2008-11-02T20:21:00.000-08:00

The Letter

In the past two weeks we have dealt primarily with your role as citizens in Israel and the problems dealing with your communities and culture. We talked about discrimination, rights and ownership of land. We have spent a lot of time and effort learning about and understanding your dilemmas and issues. As individuals and as a group we have made sure to react to situations with respect, consideration and a positive temperament. Each of us has taken the time to think about what we say before we say it in order to not offend others.

Yesterday we were all listening to the lecture about the situation in the Middle East and more specifically in Israel. As a group we have come to a conclusion that the lecture was pro-Israeli in the parts that dealt with the Gazza strip and the areas around Gazza. Although the lecture was an hour, there was only about five minutes about the situation in Gazza and with in that five minutes there was a short video clip about the reality of Sderot and the surrounding Kibbutzim. This situation is OUR reality.

Although we have created wonderful friendships with all of you, it has hurt us to see that we have spent a lot of time understanding you and your stories while you have not take any time to listen to us. Many of you have rushed to state that the situation in Gazza is a justification for the reality that WE live in; this is a reality of a life threatening situation for the past eight years. We are aware of the situation of the people living in Gazza and we feel for them. A few of us live close enough to Gazza that we see the situation with our own eyes every day, whereas you only hear about it through the news and occasionally relatives. The situation in Gazza is hard and unbarable, but it does not give you the right to overlook our situation.

We are a community that lives in constant fear; going to school every morning is risking your life. Some of the class rooms at school have been converted into bomb shelters, although most of them have not; when the alarm is sounded we have 15 seconds to run for shelter. That is 15 seconds to run for you life. Jimmy Kadoshim, the father of our close friend was killed several weeks ago by a missile while working in his garden. In the following weeks three more people have been killed including a college student at our school. Oz's brothers have moved to sleep in the shelter because they are too scared to sleep in their rooms. Maayan was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTS) after a missile fell six meters from her. The apartment of Mai's boyfriend was destroyed by a missile. Each and every one of us has already been in a situation where a few meters made a difference between life and death.

The basic right of every human being is to live in safety, not the right to own land or have equality. You all enjoy the right to live in safety, meanwhile we do not. We feel for you when you tell us about discrimination and mistreatment of you as citizens of our country. Did you ever take a moment to think about those people you hear about in Sderot as victims? Because those people are us and you rush to disregard us. The fact that you do not take the time to understand us and our situation as people that are threatened and living in constant fear; it seems as if there is a personal offence to each and every one of us. None of us are afraid that our houses are going to be destroyed, but we are each afraid of going to school each morning. For some of us, even our home isn't safe. The fear we posses is real. The fear we feel when we walk to school or go out to play soccer is real. None of you have experienced that type of daily fear, we have been living with this fear for eight years now. The people of Gaza have these similar daily fears as we do. You with all of our difficulties in this country live here in safety, we on the other hand do not.

We feel as if none of you have considered our situation from your personal point of view as someone who lives in safety. You all reacted as if you relate to the citizens of Gazza. We don't relate to anyone; this is our life and our reality.
You haven't shown a slightest bit of respect and empathy to our situation at hand. To ignore and dismiss the danger we live in only because Gazza is more dangerous is an offensive and insulting act. This act is not JITLI. We came here to respect and be respected in return. Until now we feel as if we have put forth the respect needed and have not been given back the respect we deserve. Instead we have received undermining coments and disrespect.

Each and everyone of us and all of us as a group were insulted. This is something we feel very strongly about and do not want to let this simply pass. I hope you take into consideration everything we said and we can move on to become a stronger JITLI family that respects each and everyone of us.

How to create more sympathy empathy kindness and love in such intense trip???

Itzik koren

The Two First Days in Jerusalem

2008-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Jerusalem – the first two days

After a night flight from Madrid we landed at Ben Gurion airport at 5AM, and traveled to Mt Scopus in east Jerusalem. We stopped at a view point on the old city of Jerusalem. The view was overwhelming, the old city in the east touching the new city in the west,
We also saw the separation wall in the north and the hanging bridge in the center of the city. After saying "seheheyano" the traditional Jewish blessing thanking God that we live and enjoy this moment we blessed the bread salt and wine we ate there for our breakfast. A conversation started about our feelings and everyone told their feelings and self identity there, that morning in Jerusalem.
We stayed at the in Ein Karem school, in the residential school lodging, we rested a little bit and then Neil Lazaros spoke with us about the situation in the Middle East today: Iran, Iraq, the Palestinians problems, and Israel. It was a very interesting lecture and the teenagers asked questions and spoke their opinions.
In the evening we met the parents that came to Ein Karem to meet their children after two weeks abroad. It was very exciting meeting and we were all so happy. After some greetings and festive dinner there was a music performance in Ladino Hebrew and Arabic . The singers were Jewish and Arabs.
The next day we had a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We were divided to three groups, each group represented one religion : Jewish, Christianity, Islam. Each group had a different way to reach the old city of Jerusalem. at the end of this activity each participant visited the Kottel - The Wailing Wall, Temple Mount – Omar Mosque and El-aksa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I was surprised how easy it was to enter the Temple Mount.
I asked one of the participants of the Jitli summer trip, from the states, a first time visiter in Jerusalem about her feeling after visiting the holy places and she said that that visit reminded her very much a visit in Disney land park, very crowded every where, waiting in line but in the end of the visit it was a great experience. I liked her answer very much because there was another point of view very local point of view. I realized that it was matter of proportions.
We returned to Ein Karem school and there we heard a panel of three lecturers about the three religions and their attitude to daily problems. I was impressed by the Sufi attitudes. Sufe is a group in the Islam, that talk about the feelings in the heart as the most important reason to man behavior.
After dinner we met again and analyzed texts from the bible and holy Koran with the help of Martin Sesler, we analyzed the similarity and the differences between the texts.
We dealt with Cain and Abel story, and Isaac or Ishmael sacrificed and the story of Abraham and Sodom destroyed. After analyzing textswe understood the Islamic attitude not to argue with god and to accept him, and the opposite in the Judaism to ask and to argue and even to rebel against god.
Before going to sleep the group from Shaar Hanegev read a letter to all participants that its main subject was more sensitivity to one another in the groups. Questions:
A. What makes Jerusalem so especial? The holiest city in the world?
B. What gives the feeling of holiness? Why did I, a Jew, feel the holiness at the Temple Mount near the mosques? In the Church of the Holy Sephlucre? in the Kotel tunnels? And less holiness near the Kotel Wall?
C. What is different or similar between the old city of Jerusalem and Disney Land?
D. Why the, moderate approaches in the different religions have less influence on our lives?
E. Does deeper knowledge about a religion change someone's opinion about its?
F. I feel that there is more similarity between Judaism and Islam then with Christianity. Is it true?
We arrived to Jerusalem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Oj4hQScz8

Middle East Today - Neil Lazaros

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tK7AdhT-As

Meeting the Parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVWFyb4QXv4

pilgrimage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aG3jiyTPnw

The Three Religions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn8-FMXpqzU

ANAYLAZING TEXTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6a3nYG6vbs

ENJOY

ITZIK

toledo

2008-10-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

Toledo
The way from Cordova to Toledo lasted five hours; this was good time to fill our cells with energy and to continue sleeping. Before we reached Toledo we passed in Lamanch the land of Don Quixote, it was amazing to see the wind mill on the top of the hills, Don Quixote fought the wind mill and we came to learn about them.
Toledo, three of its sides are surrounded by the Tacho river and in the fourth side a wall. The old city is located on a hill. We climbed the old town from the wall side with escalators. We walked through its backstreets to the old synagogue, one of two that still remains in the old city. It is a magnificent synagogue, now there is a museum there about the golden time of Toledo Jewery. Afterward we walked to a culture center near Toledo cathedral, there we ate oriental food: salad falafel humus. A folk unique music group played with ancient music instruments songs and danced Jewish music from the middle ages. We reached the hotel, in that afternoon we all gathered to speak about our identity, personal identity. Gary Jacobs opened this conversation by introducing his identity in a very interesting way then the conversation that developed was very unique, we the Israeli Jews have a definition problem between Jewish and Israeli what is coming before ? The United states Jewish between Jewish and American , the Negev Bedouins between Muslim, Palestenian, Israeli? Every participant told his opinion and feelings and we all felt the similarity and the difference among the participants and the groups. In Toledo I met my daughter Hadash Lulu' she is learning in Madrid Spanish dancing and circus, in that evening she activated the group with acrobatic exercises that are based on new balances then every participant expressed his feelings with his voice without words.
The next day we visited Toledo cathedral, a magnificent building with interesting art treasures. Every participant got money for food and two hours time to walk and eat in the old town of Toledo.. We returned to the hotel to finish the dwarfs' game. Every dwarf found out who was his giant. We prepared ourselves and continued the journey to Israel already that night..
The questions that came up after the visit Toledo were:
a. Why do we need frames to be kind to one another?? Dwarfs' game, Jitli project? How shall we continue with constructive connections once the frame is no loger there?
b. In Toledo we felt a yearning to Jerusalem, to the oriental food, to historical songs, to our real indentify. What makes a town or city to be so unique? Its beauty? Its history? The people that lived there, that are living now? A combination of the all factors?
c. How someone builds his identity? Specifically when one has choices. What helps us to choose an identity? Connection to myself, to my friends, to my nation, to my homeland, to the era?
d. And again connection among people that is born with the help of art: without words, creating new balance, accepting each other, what do all these activities contribute to our personal shared future?
e. Why were we all so excited before the return to Israel?

Does anybody who read this blog have answers to those questions ? JITLI participants?

Toledo's video clips
Sleeping - pictures

Ho ha on the way to toledo

Toledo the first day

Toledo the second day

Toledo- Hadashlulu my daughter activities

enjoy

Itzik

cordova

2008-10-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

cordova

We reached Cordova before evening. We crossed the "El Cabi r"river , which still has an Arabic name. The bus stopped near the city walls and we walked to the Maimonides hotel.
It was Friday so we quickly prepared ourselves to "Kabalat Shabat". In an interior yard of Maimonides hotel the Jitli group, Jewish and Muslim teenagers, had Friday Jewish ceremony to receive the Shabat. We heard Shabat songs, we blessed the bread and the wine. That ceremony touched me very much maybe because of the symbolic place and time.(Cordova, Maimonides hotel, Rambam city, the Mosquita).
After we ate, we went to the Jewish museum in the old city, its name is
"Casa de sefarad" . There we had a culture night. Each community made a show that characterizes its people. Segev Shalom teenagers dramatized a story that was taken from a new book collection of Bedouin legendry from the Negev. San Diego teenagers showed the history of the Jewish community in the last hundred years. Shaar Hanegev teenagers showed episodes from the Israeli army that emphasized the great difference among the Israelis and that the army is the only place that unifies them together. Laquia teenagers danced a Debbka, a beautiful dance. The mood after the performances was high and we did not stop singing and dancing.
The next day we returned to the "Casa de sefarad", there we heard mini concert of Mohamed Akel and local musicians. We listened to ancient Andalusia music. Then some actors from our staff represented us some famous persons from Cordova history: Rabbi Moshe Ben Mymon - Harambam , Eben Rashid a muslin philosopher.
Then we were divided to four groups and every group prepared a video clip. The scripts represented the life in Cordova in the golden age., and the problems and dilemma from that time.
In the evening we had flamenco show with the Shosi Israeli group and even safir from Shaar Hanegev danced a beautiful flamenco dance.
In the time we were in Cordova the pictures and the video clips tell about the wonderful events much better then the written words.
After we visited the Musquita , a church that was the greatest mosque in the world, and after the meeting between the Spanish foreign minister and Mr. Gary Jacobs in Cordova, I fantasized that the Spanish foreign minister would promote a historical movement to compensate people of the world. That he suggests that Spain will give the Musquita back to the Muslims and the building will be a mosque again (compensation to Muslims) that the Jewish people can build a magnificent synagogue in the temple mount (compensations to Jews) and Jerusalem will be an international city.( compensations to Christian people). I know that it is fantasy but what you think? Will movements like this upgrade peace?
More questions:
A. Is shared culture - Jewish Muslim possible today? As it was in Cordova in the golden age?
B. Is creating a shared culture like it happened in our culture night in Cordova a significant step to make people from different cultures feel closer?
C, Isn't Cordova an excellent example of honoring different cultures? Keeping history? National pride based on accepting the other?
Think and give your comments

13 video clips about cordova spain activities,
1. Pictures from the 2 days in Cordova

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mlm2Nz4iNI

2.Shabat at Maimonides hotel

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ4r0UBg1_I

3. Culture Night

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtQqs4DhKJM

4.Culture Night San Diego Show

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KciLEqRlwG0

5.Culture Night Segev Shalom Show

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeS9ZdavrY

6.Culture Night Laquiya Show

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EkJXHjsfk4&feature=user

7. Culture Night Shaar Hanegev Show

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVeS9ZdavrY

8.Cordova the second day

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJyizACN7Yg

9.Cordova Spanish Fiesta Flamenco

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLIL_VzUmu0

10. Shosi Israeli Flamenco Dancer

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuS3sonqrWg

11.Safir Dancing Flamenco

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gYsPSTPKaA

12. Segev Shalom Documentary

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA7gqbkWl2k

13.Laquia Documentary

youtube address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB7oj6PScHw

enjoy

Itzik

GRANADA - SPAIN

2008-09-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

Granada – Spain

We left San Diego in the morning and flew to Spain, to Granada. After we got to our rooms in the hotel we walked to Alhambra palace gardens. From that hill we looked over Granada and then we were divided into groups and summarized the summer trip till then. The palace gardens are really beautiful and very special, it gave me a feeling that this place has a historical value. The conversation in the garden was about the year 1492, as a turning point in Spain and in Europe.( discovery of America by Columbus, deportation of Spain Jewry, the end of the Muslim kingdom in Spain).
After dinner the teenagers were divided randomly to couples of a dwarf and a giant, every participant served another teenager and was served by another one. the game was anonymous and lasted during our stay in Spain. At night we visited the Alhambra palace inside. Even though the light was weak the palace looked mighty beautiful and very especial, an authentic remembrance to the Muslim reign in south Spain.
The next day we visited in the new Islamic center of Granada. There was a great view point on the town and the palace. Our hosts received us very nicely and explained to us the relationship between Spain and the Islam. The old renewed building that is now the place of the center together with the mosque tells us that there is a good relationship among the Muslims and other Spainish population.
From the Islamic center we walked down town Granada to the Arabic shuq bazaar. Each of us got money for food and two hours to go around in the markets. Later we gathered and we drove towards Cordova.
The pictures and the video clips tell the story of Granada summer trip better then words.
Some question arose from those day activities:
A. why isn't the power of Islam in the middle ages in Spain expressed today by the Islamic leaders?
B. Does the Islamic minority in Spain act as a peace bridge between religions?
C. What do our Bedouin brothers from Israel really feel when they visit Alhambra palace and the other places that remind us the Islam in its greatness? (I'm really waiting for an answer)

PICTURES OF THIS DAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4tkPXffLRY

FIRST DAY IN GRANADA - VIDEO CLIP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLuImJ9_jBY

SECOND DAY IN GRANADA - VIDEO CLIP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um6yupjwRh8

enjoy

itzik koren

Last Day in San Diego

2008-09-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

This was a day that in the morning we mentioned the holocaust and in the evening we visited the sea world.

The last day in San Diego opened with a holocaust memorial ceremony. It was near the memorial wall courtyard of the JCC. The memorial wall view is a combination of grey colors and voices of flowing water that symbolize death and revival. Shaar Hanegev participants prepared a touching ceremony. Afterwards, we gathered to hear the testimony of Mrs. Sindler that told us about her family before and after the holocaust and how she and her husband built their life in the states. I heard many testimonies and stories and again I noticed that luck helped them to stay alive and escape from the Nazis killers. The Bedouin participants had never heard a holocaust testimony in a personal before, and after Mrs. Sindler finished her story I heard one Bedouin girl sum: "they destroyed everything, killed all your relatives the Jew had no place to go I am understanding now why you chose Israel from all of the places in the world" I think that this insight, lights the need to expose the Arab teenagers to the Jewish national tragedy that happened during the holocaust and from that situation and evidences to be very sensitive to the Palestine national tragedy and only from that process to find fair solution to their problems.
At noon we reached San Diego city hall. We heard an interesting lecture about education subjects in the city and we met San Diego mayor that found time within his work to come and to meet us and to appreciate Jitli project. Then we moved to the city council hall and we saw San Diego democracy in action. I saw in that hall a lot of respect, efficiency, equality, technology. For me it was an admirable event.
We had "scavenger hunt" in downtown San Diego. We went to the port the business center downtown, high and interesting building, a lot of people walking, beautiful promenade with a lot of statues. I loved the statue of the sailor that kisses his girlfriend before leaving. I love San Diego view.
Before evening, Jitli 2008 went for a farewell visit to Sea World. There were funny shows, taming sea animals to amazing unbelievable performance. It was very American with a lot of fun. The evening finished with wonderful show in big aquarium with fireworks..
We returned to the JCC to pack and to be ready to continue the next day to Spain.
I thought about the following:
A. Can we really learn from historical events? From the holocaust? How can we contain them? How can we reach personal conclusions from such events?
B. How come the mayor of San Diego found time to meet us and here in our country everyone is so busy?
C. Taming sea animals to amazing unbelievable performance, is it a man victory or failure to control so nature and animals?
We finished our visit in San Diego , during all the events ( and afterward in Spain and Israel) Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs were with us, they made me feel their personal commitment to the Jitli project, to the participants, and to the brotherhood among us, and to the Israeli Negev. I really admire them.

some video clips

sea world

enjoy

itzik

LEADERSHIP

2008-09-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Leadership
We began the day at Joan Embery's ranch. This is an ecologic ranch keeping the nature and the environment around in its best situation. In our first activity we got agricultural tools and some seeds from the natural plants and we had to put its in the ground randomly and to cover its with the tools. So when the rain will come part of the seeds will sprout to plants that this is their natural place to grow (house spread). The plants will make seeds by themselves so the view of that area will change to its natural view. Afterward we walked to the ranch. There, some volunteers treat animals that were found in misery or stressful situations or found by man who did not know what to do with them.
In that ranch Beth Jacobs volunteered so she showed us with the others, the diversity of animals that stay in the ranch: snakes, porcupines , local animals like woodchucks to parrots and cheetah with an angry glance. At lunch time I walked around in the ranch area and I sawhow this phenomena of allowing the simple and beautiful things and survive . The web site of the ranch is: http://www.joanembery.com/index.php
At midday we arrived at the Islamic center of San Diego. The Islamic teenagers guided us in the building: the Mosque, the school, the library, and then we gathered and they answered our questions, and afterward sheikh Taha explained to us again the principles of Islam . As I understood them, hearing and doing not arguing. He spoke about the personal jihad that every Muslim has to ask himself if he behave like real good muslin, if he control himself today, if he contribute enough to his society today, the personality, the quiet and the wisdom of sheikh Taha impressed me and all the teenagers very much. He is a real leader.
In the afternoon we reached the UJF – United Jewish Federation, There we listened to a very interesting panel about "leadership within minorities" (Jewish, homosexuals, lesbians, African-Americans, rich people). They spoke about trustworthiness, public service, sensibility, ability to forget special ideas for the sake of the public, and about leadership in the digital era. Most of our teenagers listened carefully to the speakers, some of them were tired and it was difficult to them to take part in the conversation. Scott H. Silverman one of the panel participant and Gracie father is a pioneer and idea man, motivated to make a difference. He sent us a report about his project : second chance - http://www.sdnews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2008/08/30/48b900e0c7aa8
at evening we returned to the JCC and we heard another story from a man that somebody murdered his only son without reason. His name is Azim Khamisa and the website is http://www.azimkhamisa.com/

He spoke about his and his family's changeover. How they changeed revenge feelings with mercy, understanding the other feelings, he told us about his connection with his son's murderer. His story was fascinating and inspired a lot of thinking.
I slept in a sleeping bag in the JCC library room and there I thought about these questions:
A. We were exposed to a lot of examples of leaders during this day: natural leadership, leadership that grow from sorrow, religion leadership, leadership to save the world, leadership of minorities, I thought really changes a man to be leader? All the peoples we met today were sincere, and dealt with subjects that were really important to them.
B. I love the idea to sow in nature again, especially in places that men destroyed. Where can we do it in Israel? Is the Negev is a good place to that idea?
C. Why doesn't the Islam succeed to make people all over the world know, that the Islam is very human considerate, why don't people know about the personal jihad on purpose to adapt it? There is self restrain in Judaism and Christianity .
D. Activities for community. Can you, the reader, give your personal example?
E. The ability to turn a heavy personal tragedy into personal growth yours and your enemy's? is there something more noble than that?
For me it was one of the most fascinating days in 2008 JITLI trip

SOME VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0IGtxZ6NpI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5raFA3dK4l4&feature=user

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMJahdCgBVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brl1NpIbwBY&feature=user

enjoy

I am waiting for your comments

ITZIK

Sunday in San Diego - 13.7.08

2008-09-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday in San Diego
We were invited to the African-American Church to be part of Sunday prayer. A row of girls welcomed us as we got off the yellow bus. We entered the church and we sat down on our marked honor places. During the prayer they sang, danced, thanked god and their leaders spoke and asked for money and blessed us especially because we agreed to be their guests. I looked around on the prayers; they were dressed in their best clothes, bright with happiness and joy. It happens every Sunday prayer. After the church they invited us to eat lunch, we all noticed that they made efforts to make this event unique. It was for me a once in lifetime experience. Before we got on the yellow bus I looked around and noticed that the church is located not in a rich neighborhood of San Diego. It was late so we hurried to QUALCOMM Stadium to see a baseball game.
Our places were excellent; we were near the players so we could watch the game. During the game ee got typical American food: hamburgers, ketchup, mayonnaise, cola, peanuts, and some fruits. Again we found ourselves eating and really enjoying. The American participants explained the rules of baseball. Some Muslim American teenagers were with us in the stadium, we visited them in their mosque the next day.
The baseball game is a real American experience, this huge stadium was almost full, in one place above sat American soldiers with their uniform, the audience reacted to what happened in the game vocally and in time.
After the game we went to Balboa Park for Jitli time. There we talked in groups about faith, religion, mutual respect, tolerance. We noticed that in our groups we are so different in severity of our personal faith, and in our tolerance behavior to each other.
In the evening we reached the JCC (Jewish center) , there we slept the next nights , the JCC offers a lot of activities to adults and children from that area, not only Jewish, swimming pool, power room, places to play with balls (tennis, basketball, football).
After supper the boys first and after it the girls played in the swimming pool.
After this day I asked myself:
A. what is the real role of religion in people's lives? That day we saw the beauty of religion but I know that the biggest crimes in history were made in the name of god.
B. we visited the African-American community, we saw it in her daily life and holidays, and now one of its son Barak Obama is a candidate to become the US president. Did we have the chance to look to the American dream? Is it not a long way to accept somebody or to have equality among people?
C. what is so interesting in baseball? can non Americans understand it?
D. What is the importance to belong to community? What personal forces do we get?

I'm waiting to your answers.
ENJOY!!!!
Some video from this day.
African-American Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX3l4MxGDvY

Base Ball Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1vhWaPSUpk

JITLI Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s26ztF0gUc

Photo Stort 4th Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Gn5KPnexM

i'm waiting to your comments

Itzik Koren

JITLI Stories Under The Stars

2008-08-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

It was Saturday morning, Abdulla walked with me through La Jolla shore. We saw there a lot of animals: sea lions, sea birds, seagulls, squirrels and a lot of peoples jogging.
The awareness in U.S to keep nature and give the animals space to live is very impressive. Only with such tradition one can develop so beautiful animation films about animals. It was natural that in the night we should sleep outside near the beach of the pacific ocean, on property that belongs to Jacobs family.
Twice during the summer trip we slept outside on ground. The first time was in San Diego and the second time was in the Negev desert in Israel.
To my generation to sleep on the ground seems natural and part of behavior of loving the country. The teenagers did not complain but I did not feel that they really understood the meaning of that night.
Gary , Jerri-Ann and the children that hosted us brought everything we needed: dinner and breakfast, generator for light, toilette, water….
After we gathered from home hospitality, we made Havdala, a Jewish ceremony, San Diego teenager's parents took part in that ceremony. Later two music players performed with oriental music. The tones of the guitar and the Tambourine were likeable to my ears. The teenagers danced and sang, tired but very satisfied they entered the sleeping bags and slept very well during the chilly night. The morning came and we were ready for a new day of activities.
The questions that rose to my mind:
A. What is so special in the American education about keeping nature? Is it stand against development or making money?
B. Does sleeping all together outside, under the sky makes people feel more closeness? Make any relationship between man and land? Man and nature?
C. Is there something more calmingthen looking at the sea, the ocean, or hearing the
wave's sounds?
itzik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75zLyC8B--U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKWLyzBK65w

please write something

enjoy

itzik

From U.S Mexican Border to Shabbbat Evening

2008-08-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

We began the day by travelling with the yellow bus to the US Mexican border. In fact, San Diego is located near that border. Half an hour is the time to reach with the bus from San Diego to the border. We descended the yellow bus and suddenly we saw the fence that marks the border, the Mexican people over the border, the Mexican city of Tichuana .
We met Enrique Morones who told us the history of his family with sources from Mexico, what he is doing and how he helps the illegal Mexican immigrants that try every day to cross this so long border.
I myself did not know that: San Diego area once belonged to Mexico, there are more borders in the world where fence separate between nations. It was hard for me to see the American policemen with their machine guns targeted at the border.
Suddenly a group of young people, half of them were in the American side and half of them in the Mexican side gathered to discuss the situation of the Pacific Ocean beach and how to keep it clean, how to preserve it. They explained us that it is the easiest way to them to meet each other, and to advance the ecological subjects they are sharing.
Our participants discussed in groups about fences as a solution between nations.

Then we reached the historical site of San Diego : Cabrillo National Monument.
Cabrillo was a Spanish sailor that conquered San Diego area. He banished the Indians from their lands. Beth Jacobs, in unique way, told us their story . This monument is a wonderful view point. The bay and the city were before us. The ranger of this place told us about his job. He brought us some souvenirs.
We lunched in the old city of San Diego near the first synagogue . It was a Mexican food restaurant with new good tastes.
It was Friday, the holy day of the Muslims, so the Bedouin groups explained us the Muslim prayer and demonstrated it. The Jewish participants asked a lot of questions and got the answers from their Muslim friends.
I was bothered with the question how the Muslims count their birthdays? If they count according to their calendar, the moon calendar, their year is short in about 11 days. The answer I got that the birthday date is not important at all in the Islam like in the western cultures but if someone celebrates his birthday he counts it according the universal calendar.
We divided the participants to couples. One Jewish and one Muslim and each other told his friend about his family, his dreams.
Before evening we reached to the conservative synagogue " Beth am". It was very nice to see everyone dressing in their best clothes, and all the boys with "kipa" on their heads. Avi from San Diego explained us about Shabbat pray and then we participated with the community. The prayer was with an electronic band and singer that excited the prayers.
Atthe entrance to the synagogue the community built a memorial wall to the holocaust similar to a wall of one of the synagogue that was in Hungary before the 2nd world war. The memory wall is very impressive and thoughtful.
We were invited to Shabbat Dinner at the Bermans' home, Amyi parents, Their home was so beautiful, the dinner was so good, the family welcome was so warm and given, as really typical Jewish hospitality and more then this.
The teenagers went again to the families to their second night and we the educators went to our Shabbat.
The questions that arose after this days activities were:
A. The significance of the notion "border", does a border separate or unify, the relativity of the border, changes or borders, my personal border, in the yellow bus that we drove were there borders? Did they disappear during the summer trip? What is the meaning of culture border?
B. The age of American history is 300 years, short history, is this the reason that they preserved and developed its' site so much?
C. What is similar and what differs among the religions? Is that the base of co-existence?
D. Why can we not find conservative or reform Muslims?
E. The beauty of the Shabat. Whether the different ways to keep the shabat make the Shabat so unique?
Enjoy
I need your comments, answers to my questions.
Itzik
The pictures and videos in the previous post
Thanks to Tamar Harris that help me to translate the posts to English
Itzik

From the US Mexican Border to Shabat Evening

2008-08-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hellow Jitli Family
This post includes video and pictures, the next post after the translation to English will include my thoughts.
The US Mexican Border
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vrZVZD1yw

Cabrillo National Monument

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe9H62T2cuE

Talking Each Other

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_io3n9Hdag

Shabat Evening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Qk4iWRnv4

All together now talking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpghfuilxO8

2 First days pictures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQzlR62paww&feature=user

Enjoy

I need your comments

Itzik

Tel Aviv Los Angeles San Diego - thoughts

2008-08-12T00:21:00.000-07:00

We departed Israel from Ben Gurion airport , stopover New York landing in Los Angeles.
In the plane one of the Bedouin boys asked me " Is it true that we'll reach Hollywood?"
Wanted to say is it real? Dream? A dream that comes true?
San Diego group welcome us, it was a very exciting moment. It was our first meeting, but seems that we know each other. The preparation during the year and the technological possibilities helped us to keep connection.
This summer trip began with "hamburger & kola" a typical American meal , and a tour in Hollywood. This tour was guided by the San Diego group , we saw the Chinese theater, the Oscar prize hall, and a lot of street actors playing our heroes for some regards and money. While we waited for all the groups returning from the tour, some boys began to play sport games. Sport is an international language.
We drove to Jackline studio to get a biodanza workshop. All the teenagers co-operated with Jackline. It is a kind of dance that comes from the soul and the dancer's emotions and feelings. Every dancer expresses himself and his relationship to his friends and to the neighborhood. I myself danced with the video camera that worked during the workshop and enjoyed it very much.
Art is one more international language that builds bridges. My feeling after the workshop was great; I looked over the teenagers all of them were smiling.
We reached the large park in Los Angeles and there we had the opening ceremony of Jitli summer trip 2008. Every group worked hard and prepared show and presents.
The groups from San Diego and Shaar Hanegev prepared the presents by themselves, the groups from Segev Shalom and Laquia bought suitable presents. Every group thought what to bring to keep Jitli spirit.
After the ceremony we drove to San Deigo . the parents of the group from San Diego waited for the teenagers and took them for home hospitality. We were all very excited. Suddenly all became quiet, then I began to feel tired. the long day almost came to end.
Some questions rose in my head while I wrote this post:
a. The flight from Israel to California over half of the world, in what way can we internalize and understand what really happened to us?
b. We saw very littlein Hollywood but is Hollywood a model to copy?
Biodanza workshop:
c. Why dealing with art and especially dance makes a connection among people from different culture?
d. Is Biodanza a good workshop to make connection among people from different culture? Why?
I'll be more then happy to get your comments, specially from Jitli participants, what you felt during the first day?
itzik
the second day - soon

Tel Aviv Los Angeles San Deigo, The First Day of Jitli Summer Trip

2008-08-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

Tel Aviv Los Angeles San Deigo, The First Day of Jitli Summer Trip 10.7.08

The opening ceremony

I wrote the post about the first day in Hebrew and now I'm translate it to English meantime some video files that show the events of the first day of Jitli summer trip 2008
Every video file has two addresses: one in You-tube website, and the other of my website.
1. A short summery of all the events of the first day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQf7Om_6XJ8&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/2008summertripfirstdaypart3.wmv

2. The first day – Hollywood part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfIf7cKA3Hw&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/SUMMERTRIP2008FIRSTDAYPART1.wmv

3. The first day – Biodanza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iweHg5aqRcY&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/summertrip2008firtdaypart2.wmv

4. The first day – the opening ceremony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqmUMKKz98M&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/ahahimbrothersopeningceremony.wmv

5. The opening ceremony – Shaar Hanegev show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBNnFQoVhCk&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/shaarhanegevopenceremony.wmv

6. The opening ceremony – Segev Shalom show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8v6dBOSFBM&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/segevshalomopeningceremony.wmv

7. The opening ceremony – Laquia show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tbkKDyhUus&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/laquiaopenceremony.wmv

8. The opening ceremony – San Diego show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsRK1e5FLG4&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/sandiegoopeningceremony.wmv

9. The opening ceremony – All together now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuqompMdG0k&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/alltogethernowopenceremony.wmv

10. The opening ceremony – Ahchim – brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqmUMKKz98M&feature=user

http://ceti.macam.ac.il/FileManager/Users/49/blog2008/ahahimbrothersopeningceremony.wmv

some pictures:

WAITING IN BEN GURION AIR PORT

ON THE PLANE

IN THE BUS IN LOS ANGELES

HOLLYWOOD

OPENING CEREMONY

Enjoy
Itzik

jitli - 2008

2008-08-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

Shalom Salam Hello

I'm part of a project that deals with co-existence between Jews and Muslim Arabs. The name of the project is JITLI= JACOBS INTERNATIONAL TEENLEADERSHIP INSTITUTE. The 40 participants of this project are:10 Jewish teenagers from Shaar Hanegev Israel, 10 from San Diego USA, 10 Bedouin teenagers from Segev Shalom and 10 from Laquiya .All participants are at the end of the 11th grade. The number of the boys equals to the number of the girls during the year each community prepares itself to the challenging summer. The beginning point of the trip is equal to all the communities.
This project is a vision of Jacobs family from San Diego. Gary and Jerri-ann Jacobs. The summer trip began in San Diego Cal, after a week there, the group continued to Spain, Granada, Cordova, Toledo and the last week was in Israel: Jerusalem and Negev.
The teenager boys and girls were fascinated, full with admiration and curiosity and were ready to discuss the questions, conflicts that rose during the trip.
Some of the questions were:
1.what is my identity? Jewish or Israeli? Jewish or American? Moslem, Palestinian, Israeli, Bedouin. What is my personal order?
2. Modernization and traditions, religions and traditions, what is my personal preference? We visited synagogues, mosques, churches. We found a lot of subjects that are similar in those religions.
3. boys and girls that different from each other culturally and religiously, what are the possibilities of building bridges of friendship among them?
4. What are the feelings to experience historical events in the places they happened?
5. What is the contribution of such a trip to the advancements of the relationship between Jewish and Bedouins that live together in the Negev?
I finalize this post by giving my opinion about the cultural differences among the communities.
The American youth are very much involved, we can feel and hear them, they always have something to say; they know the limits between allowed and forbidden.
The Bedouin youth are very sensitive, quiet, and proud in their tradition and keep it when ever it committed. During the trip they always came to me and asked if I need any help, to carry, to sit….most of them say their opinions only if it suits the tradition and religion but some of them very bravely said their opinions although it was against their accepted tradition.
The Jewish Israeli youth think, are sensitive, have what to say, protecting Israel positions, sometime are confused and do not know behavior limits, there is collective responsibility, demand of their "rights".
From the next post I'll describe the trip, every day its' stories, pictures, feeling…..questions
I'll be more then happy to read your comments, questions, opinion…..

KOREN ITZIK