J Street U is proud to connect students with organizations working in Israel and the West Bank. While these groups share our commitment to Israel’s future, peace, and social justice, they each have independent missions and operations. This list should be viewed as a set of recommendations rather than endorsement of any particular organization or their views or positions.
Spending Time in Israel
Arava Institute For Environmental Studies
Students explore a range of environmental issues from a regional, interdisciplinary perspective while learning peacebuilding and leadership skills. Studies at the Arava Institute are international in scope, with a student body comprised of Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis, North Americans and others. The Arava Institute gives Jewish, Arab and other students a unique opportunity to study and live together for an extended period of time. In so doing, our students build networks and understanding that will enable future cooperative work and activism in the Middle East and beyond. The Arava Institute offers semester and yearlong undergraduate, a master’s degree and summer courses. For more information, visit http://www.arava.org.
Ben Gurion University — Politics of Conflict MA Program
In a world where disputes, conflict and strife have become the norm, Ben-Gurion University’s Department of Politics and Government offers an intensive and unique one-year International Master’s Program in the Politics of Conflict. With a rigorous theoretical core, this one-year program steps outside of the traditional classroom and invites students to meet with NGOs and social activists allowing them an opportunity to understand conflict management in action. For more information please contact poc@bgu.ac.il or visit our website at http://humweb1.bgu.ac.il/politics/.
Intensive Arabic Semester
The Intensive Arabic Semester program offers a holistic approach to language learning. During the course of the five-month program, students learn Hebrew, both standard and spoken Arabic, Jewish/Israeli History and Middle Eastern History. Students experience Israeli Kibbutz life on Barkai while simultaneously being immersed in the local Wadi Ara Arab culture through field trips, home stay families, and weekly volunteering. Learn how to navigate both the Jewish and Arab cultures in Israel. Spend time with your Jewish Kibbutz Family for a Shabbat Dinner and then learn to make tabouleh with your Arab host family in the next village over. With a focus on Palestinian colloquial Arabic, this program is unique and offers students an inside look at a side of Israel that most don’t get to see. Generous MASA scholarships are available. The program is open to anyone over 18 years of age. For more information visit http://www.intensivearabicsemester.org.
Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv-Jaffa — Coexistence Track
Spend 5 or 10 months working on Arab-Jewish coexistence and social justice while living in the diverse Jaffa area of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. You’ll learn Hebrew and Arabic, and have encounters with fascinating activists who have dedicated their lives to Arab-Jewish coexistence, while also volunteering in public schools with Arab and Jewish students, women’s empowerment programs for Arab women and a variety of different coexistence afterschool programs. You’ll learn about the complex history of Jaffa and learn about (and take part in) the exciting places where coexistence work is having an impact, all while experiencing the excitement and challenges of coexistence in your day-to-day life in Jaffa. With financial aid, many participants come for as little as $1000 for 10 months. Applications are open now for English-speakers 22-28 years old with a passion for social justice and Arab-Jewish coexistence in Israel. Apply online at http://www.tikkunolamisrael.org.
WUJS Hadassah — Peace & Social Justice Program
The WUJS Peace and Social Justice program in Jerusalem is designed for those interested in exploring the fields of peace, democratic development and social justice in Israel, in the context of a Jewish, Zionist learning environment. Fully integrated into the Jerusalem Learning program, participants take classes in Judaism, Zionism and Hebrew language in the mornings and have the opportunity of volunteering or interning three afternoons a week. While volunteering or interning participants engage in grassroots work being done in Jerusalem through an approved social change organization. Our holistic educational approach incorporates time in the classroom, weekly field trips, overnight hikes, meetings with Israeli peers, volunteer options and a variety of fun and enriching activities. Participants live and study in a warm yet dynamic environment and are supported by professional and experienced staff. For more information, visit http://www.wujsisrael.org.
Yahel Social Change Program (for post-college age)
The Yahel Social Change Program is a new 5-month service learning experience for young adults between the ages of 22 and 27. The program is based in the town of Gedera in Israel, and combines hands-on volunteer work with in-depth learning and immersion. The program is offered in collaboration with Friends by Nature — a local grassroots non-profit organization working in the Ethiopian community in the fields of community empowerment and education. Throughout the program, participants live, volunteer and learn alongside young adults from the local Ethiopian-Israeli community. For more information, visit http://www.yahelisrael.com/programs_socialchange.php.
Visiting the West Bank and East Jerusalem
Breaking the Silence (Shovrim Shtika) ~ Hebron and South Mt. Hebron
An organization of former Israeli soldiers who collect testimony of soldiers who served in the occupied territories in order to raise awareness in Israel and abroad about the practices of the military and the effects of the practices on Palestinians and on the soldiers themselves. They run excellent tours to South Mt. Hebron (settlements, outposts, and Palestinian cave-dwellers) and Hebron (H2, the area in the center of the city that is controlled by Israel and inhabited by approx. 600 settlers). Public/group tours: Public English and Hebrew tours run weekly. Larger groups can arrange for a private tour. Cost: They ask for a 50 NIS donation, but it can be waived for friends of J Street U. Contact: E-mail tours2hebron@gmail.com for more information and be sure to include J Street U in the subject. If you don’t hear back, you can also contact Mikhael Manekin, the director at 0509266297.
Encounter ~ West Bank
An educational organization that exposes current and future Jewish Diaspora leaders to Palestinian life. Encounter works to create human connections across lines of enmity and expand personal and political understanding. Public/group tours: regular one- and two-day organized journeys to Bethlehem and Hebron in English. Private group tours can sometimes be arranged. Cost: there is a program fee. Contact: Becca Linden — becca@encounterprograms.org or visit http://www.encounterprograms.org.
From Shiloah to Silwan ~ East Jerusalem
This organization of archeologists uses archeology in Silwan/”City of David” to impact the conflict and promote tolerance for different cultures both in the neighborhood and in the general region. Public/group tours: Public and group tours of Silwan, “Archeology without Ownership.” Cost: tours are free. Contact: visit http://www.alt-arch.org/tours.php to register or contact Yoni Mizrachi at yonim2@gmail.com or via telephone at 054-5667299.
Hisham Sharabati ~ Hebron
Hisham is a Palestinian journalist and peace activist from Hebron. He gives excellent group tours. Recommendation: organize a tour with him for the afternoon the same day you go on a Breaking the Silence tour of Hebron. Public/group tours: group tours for at least 5 people. Cost: depends on number of participants, about 75 NIS per person. For more information, email h_sharabati@gmail.com or call 0599629000 or 0522248399.
Ir Amim ~ East and West Jerusalem
This organization works to engage in issues within Jerusalem that impact the Israeli-Palestinian relations and the future of the city. Their aim is to make Jerusalem a more viable and equitable city with a more politically sustainable future. Ir Amim runs excellent tours of East Jerusalem, including the Arab neighborhoods, Jewish neighborhoods and settlements, and the Separation Fence. Public/group tours: Several public tours in English and Hebrew each month. Cost: Tours are free. Contact: Visit http://www.ir-amim.org and click “study tours” for more information on the tours and organization or contact them directly by email — studytours@ir-amim.org.il — or via telephone at 026233973 or 026222858.
MEJDI Tours
MEJDI is a full-service tour operator specializing in tailor-made tours to Israel and the West Bank. Founded in 2008 as a Jewish-Arab partnership, MEJDI is guided by a mission to offer responsible tour experiences that provide clients with access to the people and narratives of the region. Their ‘Dual Narrative’ tour, led by Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders, is an innovative approach to peacebuilding through tourism that allows participants to learn about the land through the narratives of Israelis and Palestinians from a variety of backgrounds while simultaneously supporting peacemakers and local, fair wage small businesses. MEJDI designs custom itineraries for universities as well as synagogues, NGOs, etc. To learn more, email Scott Cooper at scott@mejdi.net. Web: http://mejdi.net/ MEJDI on CNN: Palestinian, Jew give both sides on joint Jerusalem tours
Organizations to Know
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)
Deals with the whole spectrum of human and civil rights issues in Israel and the territories. Their work includes legal advocacy, education, and public outreach. Great information and literature on their website — http://www.acri.org.il. Activities: Lectures and workshops for groups. Cost: Free. Contact: contact Ehud (Workshop Coordinator) to coordinate an excellent training workshop for a group at ehud@acri.org.il or via telephone at 0524606762. Alternatively, you can contact Gila (Director of Intl Relations) at Gila@acri.org.il or via telephone at 0737013216.
B’tselem
This organization is the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. It documents and educates the Israeli public and policy makers about human rights violations in the Occupied Territories and helps create a human rights culture in Israel. To find excellent information on all aspects of human rights in the Territories, visit their website at http://www.btselem.org. Activities: Lectures, group tours–If you get a group together and a bus/car, they will run the tour. Cost: the cost of transportation. Contact: Call 0226735599 or email edry@btselem.org. (Telephone preferred)
Combatants for Peace
A group of Israeli and Palestinian individuals who were actively involved in the cycle of violence but have instead chose to fight for peace. They seek to raise consciousness in both publics regarding the hopes and suffering of the other side, and to create partners in dialogue; to educate toward reconciliation and non-violent struggle in both Israeli and Palestinian societies; and to create political pressure on both governments to stop the cycle of violence, end the occupation and resume a constructive dialogue. Combatants for Peace organizes guided tours primarily in East Jerusalem, house meetings and lectures, and opportunities to help with the olive harvest. Contact Combatants for Peace to learn about upcoming opportunities. The website includes personal stories of Israeli and Palestinian members. Website: http://www.cfpeace.org
Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)
FoEME brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists to promote cooperative efforts to protect their shared environmental heritage. In so doing, FoEME seeks to advance both sustainable regional development and the creation of necessary conditions for lasting peace in our region. FoEME offers extensive information about environmental issues in the region, on the web and as publications. The organization offers trail guides and tours for their paired “Good Water Neighbors” communities. Website: http://www.foeme.org
Geneva Initiative
This organization works to a detailed blueprint for Israeli-Palestinian peace based on previous official negotiations, international resolutions, and proposals. They do education and advocacy work in Israel, the West Bank, and internationally for compromise and negotiation. Public/group tours: private group tours of Jerusalem can be arranged Cost: no cost, but group must find a bus. Contact: Michal Radoshitzky — michal@heskem.org.il T: 03-693-8781, M: 0508-343-128
Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information
IPCRI, founded in Jerusalem in 1988, is a joint Palestinian-Israeli public policy think-tank. It is devoted to developing practical solutions for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. IPCRI deals with the cardinal issues in the Israeli-Arab conflict — issues where the two sides find themselves at loggerheads, and where cooperation is necessary. IPCRI offers news, reports and analysis, and organizes frequent conferences and lectures. Website: http://www.ipcri.org
Machsom Watch
A group of Israeli peace activist women who work against the Occupation of the territories. They used to monitor internal checkpoints, but because of the changing face of the Occupation, have moved their focus to the permit system, border checkpoints, settlement expansion and other ways in which the Occupation hurts Palestinian mobility and society. Public/group tours: Generally Hanna is willing to take 1 or 2 people with her to the field each week. Cost: Free. Contact: Hanna Barag — habar@netvision.net.il, 025662214.
Rabbis for Human Rights
The rabbinic voice of conscience in Israel, this organization brings specific human rights abuses to the attention of the public and advocates for change. In the fall, there are opportunities for volunteers to help with the olive harvest in the West Bank and in the winter to help plant new trees. Activities: Recommendation — volunteer or organize a lecture. Contact: Office Tel- 972 2 6482757 or email- info@rhr.israel.net.
Shalom Achshav
Shalom Achshav (Peace Now) is a movement of Israeli citizens who believe peace, compromise, and reconciliation with the Palestinians and the Arab states are necessary for the future, security, and character of Israel. The movement advocates and educates for peace. It offers extensive maps and reports information about the history and development of Israeli settlements, as well as open forums and occasional study tours. Public/group tours: Hagit Ofran goes out into the field to monitor settlement building and has offered to bring 1-3 people with her. Cost: no cost. Contact: Hagit Ofran – ofranh@zahav.net.il; http://www.peacenow.org.il
