Bridging the Gap is made possible through the generosityof the German Friends of the Israel Museum

Bridging the Gap: 2010-2011

The Youth wing is obligated to peace and social equality.The Youth wing strives to create opportunities for a dialogue between the Arab and the Jewish populations in Israel.

This joint Arab-Jewish art class for school children from Jerusalem is taught for the last 15 years.

Since 2010 the German Friends of the Israel Museum have become active and generous supporters of “Bridging the Gap” art project.

Bridging the Gap was designed to bring young Jerusalemite Arabs and Jews together by means of joint art works in the Israel Museum, in attempt to bridge over prejudice, cultural gaps and

the long-standing conflict between the two peoples.

Facts and Figures

2009-2010• 90 students in total –

48 6th graders (22 Jewish and 26 Arab ) and 42 9th graders (17 Jewish and 25 Arab)

• 6 Arab and Jewish artists/teachers and 2 translators

2010-2011• 83 students in total –

43 6th graders (23 Arab and 20 Jewish) and 40 9th graders (23 Arab and 17 Jewish)

• 4 Arab and Jewish artists/teachers;

2 group instructors

3 translators and group instructors

"

There is a gap

between us, but

the thing that

connects us is our

shared love of art"

(Ronni, Jewish

student, 12)

"The Arab and Jewish girls get along excellent" (Anat, Jewish artist-teacher)

The 2010 program began on November 2009 and comprises two classes: one made up of sixth grade students and the other of

ninth grade students. Total participation: 90

The subject of this year’s class is Personal Identity.

We also examine our two cultures in relation to the distant cultures we have studied in the class.

Last year’s staff consists of six Arab and Jewish artists/teachers from the Youth Wing staff and two translators who facilitate communication between the students. Importantly, the program also incorporates two professional advisors, one Arab and one Jewish.

Artists-Teachers Tzipi Zohar and Hanan Abu Hussein

End of Year Project – June 2010

The final project was inspired by the

“Looking In Looking Out – The Window in Art” Exhibition in the

Youth Wing

"

It helped me a lot,

and that made me

happy, because I

thought they didn't

like Arabs" (Khanin,

Arab program

graduate, 22)

Preparations for the project took 4 weeks, at the end of which it was put on exhibit at the Youth Wing. Family members, teachers, artists, educators and

other guests were invited.

The artworks are collaborations of mixed

teams, each team consisting of 2 Arab

students and 2 Jewish students.

The artworks present different styles and

approaches, which are cultural manifestations of two peoples brought

together.

"It was a challenge to get to know a different culture and different

people" (Mahmmud, Arab student, 15)

"I've changed my mind about the Jews, I thought of them as our enemies, but now I don't" (Ammal, Arab student, 15)

Evaluation research of the program was conducted with the kind support of the German Friends of the Israel Museum

Summary of the evaluation report results:

• The report indicated high degrees of satisfaction among program participants

• The report confirmed that the program contributed to changing perceptions regarding “the other”

• The report recommended to add a group instructor to the art teachers

• The report suggested additional directions for thought and discussion. These were and will be processed by the staff throughout 2010-2011.

Post evaluation changes in the program:1. 2 Arab and Jewish group instructors joined the groups.

2. Cooperation with the schools: frequent meetings were set between IM staff and school teachers and principals.

3. The Youth Wing will conduct joint art tours twice outside Jerusalem twice a year

4. Mutual visits: Jewish school children participating in the program will visit their Arab peers in their schools and vice-versa

5. The Youth Wing will encourage teachers from the participating schools to be more involved in the program and instruct them to place greater emphasis on the preliminary selection process.

A New Year, A New BeginningIn November 2010 we opened

the Bridging the Gap program with introductory sessions.

Throughout the year they will explore themes of “My City – Jerusalem”, “Home”, Family”, etc. They will learn of each other’s customs and codes of behavior, visit each other’s schools and go out on joint art tours outside Jerusalem; but mostly – they will experience tolerance toward and acceptance of the other.

Thank You

THANK YOU!