I live in Italy, in Cologno Monzese. My city supports the organisation Hand in hand.
Here's what it is:


In Israel today, Jewish and Arab citizens live in a highly segregated environment, often in closely adjoining areas and in many regions throughout the state of Israel. In the most recent census of Israeli citizens, 20% are Arab and 80% are Jewish. Today there are few opportunities for meaningful and deep interaction between members of these two major groups, especially in the fields of elementary and secondary education, which are almost entirely segregated.


In 1997, Hand in Hand Center for Jewish-Arab Education is Israel was founded to build peace between Jews and Arabs in Israel through development of bilingual and multi-cultural schools. Elementary schools were founded in Jerusalem and in the Galilee region of Israel; in 2004 a third school was opened in Wadi Ara. In September 2007, the fourth Hand in Hand school through the parents's group Hagar opened in Beersheva. Under the unique Hand in Hand Education model, each school is co-directed by Arab and Jewish co-Principals; and each classroom is co-taught by Jewish and Arab teachers. Students at each grade level are balanced between Arab and Jewish children. Students at all grade levels are taught in both Hebrew and Arabic, learning to treasure their own culture and language while understanding the difference of others around them.


What happens in schools right now is critical for the future of Israel. At school, children are directly taught to uphold the values of the nation, and are indirectly socialized into groups with diverse attitudes toward Israel and its institutions. Schools also build community among the parents, teachers and neighboring families, affecting nearly every person - Jewish or Arab -living in Israel.

The majority of families in Israel - Jewish and Arab - send their children to segregated schools. This segregation poses a distinct problem, tending to promote rival viewpoints and attitudes that become ripe for exploitation by proponents of violence. Within Israel, the schools of the minority Arab population become incubators for resentment and hostility, while the schools of the majority Jewish population tend to reinforce a sense of insulation from the concerns of others.


In 1998, the Hand in Hand schools started out small, with just 50 students in first grade. Currently, 829 students are enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 9th grade, and the demand is surging. Every Hand in Hand school has had to create a waiting list for both Arab and Jewish families who want to enroll in the schools.


Working in partnership with Israel's Ministry of Education, Hand in Hand has obtained certification for all four of its schools, along with substantial public investment. Hand in Hand also works closely with community institutions and parent groups in Jerusalem, Galilee, Wadi Ara, and Beersheva to build community support for the schools - investment of funds, public recognition, and most importantly the investment of the children's lives and futures.




When the Hand in Hand Center was founded in 1997, many doubted whether the experiment could work. Now there is demand for new schools, partnerships in new communities, and higher enrollment in the established programs.

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Replies to This Discussion

The children are all our futures
so to teach them not to hate
is just so important, vital
This article is so heart warming
showing there is no place on earth
where there is no hope
of a better tomorrow.

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