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

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

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?

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

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!

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

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

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