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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
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
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.