Blog | The Jerusalem Intercultural Center

Shedding Light on the Plight of Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem

Recently, the U.S. Department of State released its 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Israel, West Bank, and Gaza. In this comprehensive report, the Old City of Jerusalem was identified as a place where violence against Christians has been a cause for concern. The report meticulously documents instances of violence, discrimination, and restrictions faced by religious communities and, in this section, highlights the challenges faced by Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem.

We are honored that the JICC has been mentioned in the U.S. Department of State’s report as a reliable source for reporting on violence against Christians in the Old City. The report underscores the need for increased efforts to address violence. It highlights incidents such as physical assaults, threats, and vandalism targeting Christian individuals, properties, and places of worship. These acts not only infringe upon the basic human rights of Christians but also threaten the fabric of religious coexistence within the city.

The recognition of the JICC in the report provides an opportunity to amplify our efforts and engage with various relevant actors to address the issue at hand. It is imperative that local authorities, religious leaders, and civil society organizations work together to promote religious freedom, respect, and understanding among all faith communities in the Old City.

To read the 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Israel, West Bank, and Gaza by the U.S. Department of State, click here.

Together, let us strive to uphold the principles of religious freedom, fostering an environment where individuals of all faiths can live and worship without fear or discrimination.

noa2023-05-21T12:18:07+00:00May 21st, 2023|Blog, Promoting Tolerance in Jerusalem|

Spotlighting Santé Israel’s Community Resilience Work

Santé Israel, which was founded by JICC in 2015, assists French speakers to navigate the Israeli healthcare system. With about 30,000 French speakers in Israel, and many more from French speaking countries, Santé receives approximately 1,500 calls for assistance each year. In recent years the project has partnered with Qualita, a local organization that aims to aid French immigrants to Israel.

During Shavuot, Santé Israel – together with the Director of the Jerusalem Municipality and Qualita’s Office for French-Speaking Immigrants’ Rights Realization, Ayala Blum – hosted a brunch for our dedicated teams of volunteers. Attendees enjoyed bread, a cheese tart, and homemade couscous, among other treats! The group learned about the various challenges facing French speakers, such as taxes, health rights, elderly rights, and social security benefits.

This was an opportunity for Santé Israel to expand its community reach in making the Israeli healthcare system more accessible to French-speaking immigrants.

Many thanks to the Pharmadom Foundation for their continued support of Santé Israël over the years.

nadine2022-08-02T08:41:01+00:00August 2nd, 2022|Blog, Santé Israël - French internet platform on the Israeli healthcare system|

Protecting Religious Diversity on Mount Zion

In mid-June, we gathered for our annual summer meeting of representatives from leading organizations on Mount Zion, which includes resident Mount Zion institutions, ranging from religious leaders and stakeholders, including municipal and government officials. The meeting was convened in the context of Window to Mount Zion, a project created and led by JICC in 2015 to promote understanding and collaboration among relevant stakeholders on Mount Zion, in the hope of easing religious tension.

The forum’s diversity reflects its vital importance, enabling all parties to communicate and promote shared interests regarding life on Mount Zion. This year, we were honored to host the St. Savior Armenian Church and Monastery, Dormition Abbey, and Monastery of St. Francis Ad Coenaculum, along with rabbis from the Diaspora Yeshiva and Sephardic Synagogue. Further important stakeholders attended from King David’s Tomb, the Harp of David, Greek Garden, Jerusalem University College, and Dajani family, along with senior police officials responsible for securing Mount Zion.

During the meeting, all participants shared their desire and commitment to further and develop collaboration between all parties, not only for the sake of Mount Zion, but also as an inspirational model for fruitful shared life in this historically complex environment.

The forum expressed deep appreciation to Merav Horowitz-Stein for her dedicated work since 2015, and welcomed Tami Lavie Nissim, the new project manager.

This was a particularly special annual reunion as we reflected on the milestones in our work thus far, and embarked on a hopeful new chapter with renewed energy and leadership.

nadine2022-07-24T10:20:52+00:00June 20th, 2022|Blog, Mount Zion|

Important Health Updates from Santé Israel and our partners at Qualita

During May 2022 Santé Israel, together with the Jerusalem Municipality and Qualita, held an informative conversation regarding dependency insurance, travel restrictions and masks mandate on international flights, and medical translations. The conversation was between Ayala Blum (Director of the Jerusalem Municipality and Qualita’s Office for French-Speaking Immigrants’ Rights Realization), Marie Avigad from Santé Israel, and moderated by independent journalist, Cathy Choukroun (of Studio Qualita).

To learn more about Santé Israel’s offerings ranging from translating the Israeli health system into French and offering a public hotline to guide and refer French-speakers to relevant services, see the following links (in French):

https://www.sante.org.il/couvertures-des-caisses/

https://www.sante.org.il/coronavirus-voyages-en-avion/#vers

https://www.sante.org.il/preparer-sa-visite-chez-le-medecin/

Many thanks to the Pharmadom Foundation for their continued support of Santé Israël over the years.

nadine2022-08-02T08:46:24+00:00May 22nd, 2022|Blog, Santé Israël - French internet platform on the Israeli healthcare system|

InterFaith Tour Visiting the JICC in Jerusalem

The InterFaith Tour program – a world tour of interfaith initiatives – arrived in Israel in April 2022 after a tour in Brazil, Mexico, USA, South Africa, Mauritius, Uganda and Rwanda. As part of their field study, they were interested in learning about JICC’s efforts to reduce Urban Inequality and Cultural Competency in our diverse City of Jerusalem.

Daniel Hasson and Nadine Kamar interviewed as part of “InterFaith Tour” program

Wishing Floriane, Marie, Maud, and Radia the best of luck in their InterFaith Tour around the world!

nadine2022-04-26T09:21:56+00:00April 14th, 2022|Blog|

MiniActive – Empowering Women As Independent Business Women

MiniActive in cooperation with Maof – Business Advancement Network in East Jerusalem – held a meeting on February 23 2022, attended by over 50 women. The workshop sought to empower the participants on their path as successful and independent business women. It offered training and success stories that inspired and encouraged the women to become entrepreneurs.

This first meeting was facilitated by Alaa Abu Lail, Director of Business Accompaniment, and Razan Abdeen, Coordinator of Marketing and Courses.

Here’s the post (in Arabic) about the first meeting from MiniActive’s Facebook page:

The second meeting was on March 23, 2022, the workshop dealt with the pressures of life, tasks, and responsibilities women face daily, whether they are housewives, entrepreneurs, or business owners. MiniActive’s women received tools for time and stress management that will also help them raise their self-esteem.

Here’s the post (in Arabic) about the second meeting from MiniActive’s Facebook page:

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation and Natan for their ongoing support of MiniActive!

nadine2022-04-11T09:07:55+00:00March 23rd, 2022|Blog, Effective Activism, MiniActive|

Santé Israël – Continuing Awareness-Raising on Health Rights After Covid-19

Santé Israël has finally returned to face-to-face information evenings after a long period of COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Alya de Groupe – an organization that accompanies French citizens in their Aliyah process, coordinates a visit to Israel, and plans lectures for them on various subjects – invited Marie Avigad, director of Santé Israël, to give a lecture on the Israeli health system.

On March 7, 2022, Marie Avigad explained to a group of about 50 people at Qualita offices in Jerusalem, about the health system in Israel. Her workshop focused on common challenges faced by new immigrants, the similarities and differences from the French health system, how to navigate the system and fully access health rights. Marie also referred them to the Santé Israël website, where more information can be found in French.

Raising awareness about health care rights

The participants showed great interest in the lecture, which lasted more than an hour and a half as a result of the numerous questions they had. The questions were mainly about choosing their HMO, supplementary health insurance, nursing insurance, emergency medical centers, and more. They were very pleased to receive critical information and answers, and learn about Santé Israël website along with the fact that Marie is available to assist with any questions that they may have in the future.

Many thanks to the Pharmadom Foundation for their continued support of Santé Israël over the years.

nadine2022-04-11T09:00:21+00:00March 7th, 2022|Blog, Cultural Competence, Santé Israël - French internet platform on the Israeli healthcare system|

MiniActive – Learning About Health Rights

Mini Active arranged a health rights zoom workshop for 60 Palestinian women on February 21, 2022. Rula Abu Ziad from “Indicate” was invited to raise the women’s awareness on how to best access their health rights and how to make their interactions with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) such as, Clalit Health Services, more effective.

Here’s the post (in Arabic) from MiniActive’s Facebook page:

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation and Natan for their ongoing support of MiniActive!

nadine2022-04-11T09:03:11+00:00February 21st, 2022|Blog, Effective Activism, MiniActive|

Revving up for Tolerance Week

Each year, Jerusalemites take responsibility for “International Tolerance Day” (November 16) and turn it into a full week of events, activities and encounters in the public sphere that bring together Jerusalemites of all hues, backgrounds and cultures.

Events throughout the week

Only in Jerusalem – International Day becomes over a week of activist activity that promotes tolerance and multiculturalism!

This is the 6th year in a row that we’re having Tolerance Week. Here’s just a taste of what’s happening (here’s the PDF version):

Shabbat Reception with Yoga Synagogue | Laura Gilinski

Bring in the weekend with Yoga Synagogue in a stress-reducing yoga session in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English. The session will combine identical asanas (instructors) in different languages! Side by side we’ll practice the same poses side by side using different words – and we’ll let the body and mind do the talking. In this way we’ll show that we are all made of the same materials and driven by similar aspirations. We will end with intentions of living together and loving everyone.

Friday | 12.11 | 10:00 | Haas Promenade, East Talpiot

“Environmental Factors that Promote Tolerance and Restraint” | Lily Halperin

Impatience and the inability to delay satisfaction have many explanations. In tonight’s session Ms. Lily Halperin will introduce us to a number of environmental factors that can advance these important abilities, both within ourselves and with those around us.

Lily Halperin is the head of the Truth Center for Tolerance. Pre-register by email: Lily.Halperin@gmail.com

Sunday | 14.11 | 19:00 | Friends of Israel Museum – Rivlin 20, Nahalat Shiva

Neighborhood Tractate – Launch of a secular-Haredi bookshelf

We are honored to invite the residents of the Ramat Sharett and Jerusalem neighborhood to a festive event of the launch of a secular-Haredi bookshelf to be held on Sunday, November 14, 21 at 5:00 PM near the Kaddish Luz-Zilberg bus stop (near Kochav-Asher Gani Square). This project is the result of meetings between ultra-Orthodox and secular residents from the Ramat Sharet and Beit Vagan neighborhoods, who met for a period and discussed issues related to being neighbors.

Sunday | 14.11 | 17:00

Unique tour of the ‘Moshav Zakanim’ exhibition | The Old Yishuv Court Museum

The tour is included in the museum admission fee. Pre-registration required.

Sunday | 14.11 | 10:00

Urban tour of the African asylum seekers community in Jerusalem | JACC

For anyone who is physically in Jerusalem but mourns distant worlds – the churches, places of entertainment and secret alleys of the 3,500 refugees from Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia are just waiting for you to discover them. For anyone who loves new encounters and is intrigued by other cultures – this is the tour for you. Music, religion, culture, food – what else do you need? To register: https://did.li/SvZYH

Sunday | 14.11 | 17: 30-19: 00 | Mahane Yehuda Light rail station

“Complex Identities in Jerusalem” | Women’s Panel Women Wage Peace

In this diverse women’s panel we will address questions of complex identity in Jerusalem. The panelists will share personal experiences and thoughts about the common space from a female perspective in an open and intimate conversation.

Monday | 15.11 | 18:30 | FELM Center Jerusalem

Language Exchange Meeting (Hebrew-Arabic) for Women | Language Exchange Community

An open meeting of the Language Exchange women’s community. Get to know a new culture and language in a unique community. Pre-registration is required via WhatsApp (Lior – 050-376-7778). A basic level of the language being learned is required. Monday | 15.11 | 17: 30-19: 15 | Muslalla

Difficult Conversations – for Everyone. Everywhere | Mosaica

We invite you to take part in a workshop from the world of mediation and dialogue in order to successfully navigate a difficult conversation with a family member / at work / with roommates or neighbors. Pre-registration required: https://forms.gle/f92UDjKCiyCvRmye8

Monday | 15.11 | 20:00 | Rashut HaRabim House, 33 Aharon Rabinovitz St.

Meeting of Women, East & West, about Yarn and Crochet | Studio of Your Own

In an intuitively feminine and flowing conversation, spectacular surprises are woven and knitted in a connecting thread. During the summer we decorated Zion Square with an urban knitting project and now we want to add color to the public sphere in East Jerusalem. The meeting is part of an ongoing series that is attracting more and more women who meet through creating and female craft, and change the discourse and public space. Feel free to join. Pre-registration required: https://forms.gle/GMKUXFBLyB5eMyq3A.

Monday | 15.11 | 10: 00-12: 00 | Studio of Your Own – 10, 29th of November St.

Not Nice – A Solo Comedy Show | Hullegeb Theater

About woman who is trying to turn over a new leaf, and along the way berates herself, her community and the state. The show alternates between a stand-up style and an evolving show. The actress speaks honestly and humorously about the stigmas and prejudices that exist in Israeli society, alongside her personal longing for a partner.

Tuesday | 16.11 | 20:30 | The Confederation House

To purchase tickets and full details: https://did.li/hT5Hw

Tolerance and Femininity – Women’s Poetry Evening

An evening of women’s poetry reading and music on tolerance. A meeting of women from different communities and identities in Jerusalem, who come to write, to read and to sing their thoughts, opinions and beliefs about the other, about identity, and about connections. Pre-registration and pre-sending of materials required.

Tuesday | 16.11 | 20:00

Hebrew / Arabic Kosher Palestinian Cooking Master Class

Learning Arabic? Thinking about learning Arabic? Join 19 others in a German Colony family kosher kitchen for a master class in stuffing grape leaves, taught in Hebrew and beginner’s Arabic by chef extraordinaire Magdah Alshane. FREE but, since places are limited, registration is required: https://forms.gle/J6GNaqEAMNQV28MbA

Tuesday |16 November | 19.00 to 22.00

Chess4Solidarity-Tolerance Day, International Online Chess Tournament.

Tuesday |16 November | 18:00 Opening Ceremony, 18:30 first round

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chess4all

Premiere | C.A.T.A.M.O.N. Dance Group

A joint dance performance by two artists. Muslim and Jewish. Choreographer and dancer. Both born and raised in Jerusalem. Both are looking for the moment when everything will freeze and it will finally be possible to breathe.

Admission is free, pre-registration is required: https://forms.gle/YCGUXjFpyyxbSn5m9

Tuesday | 16.11 | 19:00 | Alliance House, 5 Kiach St.

Year-Opening Event | Blend.AR

We are excited to invite you to open a year with a Blend.AR. If you feel that the Arabic language speaks to you, come and experience practice circles tailored to different levels and hear more about our programs. The evening will be accompanied by musicians from the Abu Tor All-Stars band and a jewelry exhibition by Israeli and Turkish artists, as part of the Jerusalem Biennale events

To register: https://bit.ly/Blendar_community

Tuesday | 16.11 | 19:00 | Tower of David Museum

‘Quality of life in a diverse city’ – introductory evening and panel | Jerusalem Institute of Policy Research

On the common and different between the population groups in Jerusalem – an event that will address the different perceptions of quality of life, on the backdrop of shared living in the city. How do Jerusalemites perceive the concept of “quality of life”? Keynote Speaker: Michal Korach, Jerusalem Institute for Policy Studies. Presentation of a study: “Quality of life indices in Jerusalem – subjective examination”

Wednesday | 17.11 | 18:00 | Zoom

Second Hand Fair and Play | Zion Community and Landa Theater

In honor of Tolerance Week, you are invited to find treasures at the Blue Door – a Jerusalem boutique that connects three religions and all corners of the city. Women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, proceeds donated to needy families. You are welcome to donate clothes in excellent condition, renew your own wardrobes, and enjoy the play ‘Crowded at Home’ by the Landa Theater, in Hebrew and Arabic.

Wednesday | 17.11 | 16:30 | The Blue Door, to the right of the YMCA courtyard

Speaking Arabic-Hebrew | Language Exchange

We will meet to exchange Arabic and Hebrew with friends from all over Jerusalem. Free admission! Entry with the Green Pass or negative home Covid test on that day. Wednesday | 17.11 | 18:00 | YMCA – meeting room

“Points from My Life” | Elwyn Theater Group

We invite you to meet, listen and get to know Elwyn’s members – a short show that tells about us, our aspirations, expectations and challenges – people with disabilities, followed by an open discussion with questions from the audience.

Wednesday | 17.11 | 16:30 | The Israel Museum – the auditorium in the Youth and Art Education Division

Cross – Cultural Introductory to the Recording Arts: This project brings together Arab and Jewish at-risk youth on a common interest in the recording arts. Youth meet once a week at the JIY creativity Lab to learn and practice the art of music and DJing. If you work with at-risk groups and would like to cooperate, please contact culture@ymca.org.il.

Jerusalem International YMCA Wednesdays at 14:00

Status Quo and Tolerance | Window to Mount Zion

How did Mount Zion come to be sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike? Why there? And how do rabbis, monks, artists and organizations of all religions live side by side? Is this an opportunity for world peace or a recipe for disaster? We will try to answer these questions and more among the alleyways, courtyards and holy sites on Mount Zion. Pre-registration required : https://forms.gle/nNe5C8sgkeYt1fXE9

Thursday | 18.11 | 11: 00-13: 00

Melodies Coming to Jerusalem | Shabbat reception with Ofer Golani and Shachar Sorek

We believe that music is the mother of all languages, it exists above and before all religions and its role is to connect people. You are invited to welcome the Shabbat with melodies that come from all Jerusalem communities that open the heart.

Friday | 19.11 | 12:00 | Independence Park – The Upper Amphitheater

Women on Palmach | Shabati

A tour by the Shabati project (joint use of the public space by secular and religious Jews), with Itamar Farchi, an economist and resident of Palmach St. who researched the stories of female heroes of the Palmach. During the tour he’ll tell about the lives and activities of Haviva Rake, Zohara Levitov, Netiva Ben-Yehuda and additional women – while walking through real and imaginary buildings and gardens. The tour will last 1 1/2 hours.

Saturday | 20.11 | 15:00 | Museum of Islamic Art

Trans Memorial Day | The Open House for Pride and Tolerance

Join us to commemorate the Trans Memorial Day in a special and intimate event. Screening of the movie, “Send Me an Angel” and a discussion with the movie’s creator, Shachar Arpov. Afterward a lecture about the Trans Memorial Day and victims of transphobia in Israel, by Niki Sever, a trans activist.

Saturday | 20.11 | 20:00 | Cafe Ambala, 3 Yanai St.

In the neighborhoods:

Kiryat HaYovel Shopping Center

16/11 – Mashu Mashu play: Ouzo and Mouzo from the Village of Kakarouzo | 16:00

19/11 – Backgammon Tournament | 11:00

East Talpiot

15/11 – Community Mini-Mall at the Well-Baby Center | 16:00

Pisgat Ze’ev

21/11 – Movie screening and lecture on the movie, “High Holidays,” in cooperation with the Zeevik community pub

Gonenim

21/11 – Tour of Beit Safafa | 16:15

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation and Natan for their ongoing partnership in advancing tolerance in Jerusalem.

Naomi Roff2021-12-21T06:52:43+00:00November 12th, 2021|Blog, Effective Activism, Promoting Tolerance in Jerusalem|

Cultural Competency in the Courts

We’ve written here, here, here and here about our cultural competency workshops in different places of employment, and its importance in fostering a more culturally sensitive workplace environment.

Beginning on October 28, 2021 we started working with the courts, with judges in the juvenile court system.

Judges from the juvenile courts learning about cultural competency

We held a workshop for 40 judges, and JICC Cultural Competency Desk Director Orna Shani-Golan came away extremely enthused. Here is her account of the meeting, as she wrote on Facebook:

Honestly – I was really excited,
I’ve given lots (don’t know how many) lectures on cultural competence for a lot of organizations and in front of a lot of audiences. But this was the first time I’ve had a chance to lecture to judges. When it comes to delivering cultural competence workshops to different audiences, I make sure I know the organizational language that cultural competency needs to fit into and assimilate into – so I speak the organizational language of healthcare pretty well, I’m fluent in the organizational language of social workers; I have a working knowledge of police organizational language, inclusion and diveristy in business. But the organizational language of the judicial system, not yet. Add to that the pressure of being the opening lecture of a day-long seminar.

Cultural Competency Desk Director Orna Shani-Golan excited for the workshop

It was not simple bringing all the knowledge we accumulated at The Jerusalem Intercultural Center and precisely adapt the messaging so that it would be relevant to a courtroom in the Juvenile Court and the Family Court.

But one of the things I love so much about cultural competence – that it’s always true, and that one can learn from one organization’s experience and adapt them to other places – and that’s what I and about 40 judges did – a journey of an hour and a half between test cases and tailored tools, that stimulated thought and inspiration.

Thank you to the administration of the courts and the president of the juvenile courts, for the opportunity to introduce the knowledge, awareness and tools to the judges (who were amazing). As the saying goes, “There are judges in Jerusalem.”

And here’s Orna’s original Facebook post in Hebrew:

Exciting indeed!

Naomi Roff2021-12-21T07:27:07+00:00November 7th, 2021|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Government Institutions|