Naomi Roff | The Jerusalem Intercultural Center

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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|

Cultural Competency in Healthcare Organizations – with Israeli Forum for Diversity in Employment

“Never say ‘Diversity’ without the word ‘Inclusion’ immediately following; that is the only way employees from diverse communities can be integral parts of the organization – members of the ‘family’ and not just ‘guests’.”

Continuing to improve employment diversity

That is how our first session in a series of cultural competency workshops, which was held in partnership with the Israeli Forum for Employment Diversity, started, on October 25. It was the first of a series.

A few principles of employment diversity in healthcare organizations

The first workshops dealt with cultural competency in healthcare organizations, which was facilitated by our own Dr. Rachely Ashwal. The first part of the workshop was led by special guest Malki Rotner, Director of the Israeli Forum for Employment Diversity.

Stay tuned for more.

Here’s the original Facebook post in Hebrew:

Naomi Roff2021-12-21T07:28:04+00:00November 1st, 2021|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Cultural Competence in the Workplace|

Continuing Cultural Competency Training with Sapir College Staff

We’ve written here and here about our activities in cultural competency in academia, and here about our work with Sapir College. In early October, 2021, we held another session about teaching remotely and in a culturally senistive manner. The session focused on the the challenges resulting from Covid-19 and its implications, including remote study, which added to the complexity of teaching in a culturally competent manner.

More about teaching culturally competently

Online conference of Cultural Competence and Diversity in Online Teaching

We were invited by the Coordinator of the Israeli Hope initiative at Sapir College to lecture on “Cultural Competence and Diversity in Online Teaching”, at a digital learning conference held by the Unit for Advancing Teaching and Learning.

Discussing different issues, including ‘camera on – camera off’ during Zoom classes

Dr. Hagai Agmon-Snir, JICC’s founding director and a lecturer at Bar Ilan University on multicultural and culturally competent community development, led a discussion on teaching online classes to a culturally diverse class, on the difference between inter-generational and age-based gaps, on open and closed cameras during Zoom meetings, and also about lecturers’ frustrations and thoughts about how to stay interesting enough and relevant enough for their millennial students.

This year, too, we will continue to advance cultural competence in academia, in collaboration with coordinators of the Israeli Hope in Academia initiative. Stay tuned for more updates.

And here’s the Facebook post of Orna Shani Golan, Director of our Cultural Competency Desk:

Naomi Roff2021-12-21T07:22:23+00:00October 15th, 2021|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Academic Institutions|

Little Prince – Working in Kiryat Hayovel to Clean Up Ad-Hoc Garbage Dumps

We’ve described here, here and here the work the Little Prince project has done over the past few years to forge partnerships with city employees.

One recent example was in the Kiryat Hayovel neighborhood in southwestern Jerusalem.

Over the years, more and more abandoned vehicles have been left on an unused area of Kiryat Hayovel, known as the Warburg complex (since it borders on Warburg St.), which is also used as a parking lot for local residents. Although it is a large lot, there is not enough space for all residents to park their cars, and the abandoned vehicles take up very critical parking spaces.

Continuing to build public-private partnerships with Little Prince

Usually, the process of handling an abandoned vehicle, from the moment the request is filed until towing, is very long (at least 6 months) and requires contact and cooperation with the municipal inspectors office and especially, with the neighborhood inspectors. Thus, it’s so much easier when responsible and dedicated inspectors help residents deal with complex cases.

Kiryat Hayovel has two amazing inspectors who help the city to function and to be cleaner: Shirley the utmost professional who walks the beat non-stop and who is in contact with residents and helps solve problems; and Maor, who is responsible for the area of abandoned vehicles in the area.

Maor was very matter-of-fact and pleasant as Little Prince activists addressed the abandoned vehicle issue at Warburg. He informed them about the process, explained why it takes more and more time, enlisted the help of residents (who sent photos from the field and made a list with vehicle numbers and models). Maor updated when the crane will arrive and how many vehicles would be collected.

Getting rid of old abandoned cars

Many thanks to Shirley for connecting the Little Prince to the right person and to Maor for understanding the need expiditing the process, and for maintaining continuous contact with residents and assistance in returning the Warburg lot to the residents. Here’s the description of the process by our Tal Kligman in her Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/351842318545451/posts/1376155942780745/

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation and Natan for their continued support of the Little Prince!

Naomi Roff2021-12-21T06:58:20+00:00October 14th, 2021|Blog, Effective Activism, The Little Prince - Cleaning Jerusalem Together|

Window to Mount Zion – Accompanying Armenian Monks, Advancing Tolerance in the Old City

A significant part of Window to Mount Zion’s activities includes accompanying different Christian religious processions in an about the Old City.

Why do the different religious figures need this? Aren’t the police there to protect them?

Accompanying Armenian processions

Many of the religious rituals include processions through public spaces – from monestaries to the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle) or to the Church of the Holy Supulchre. During these processions, the religious figures are subject to protests and objections (in the past, sometimes violence) on the part of the general public.

Accompanying another Armenian procession

Of course, police are on hand. But in the six years that this project has operated, we’ve found that our volunteers have been quite effective in diffusing tensions, alongside the police. Because the volunteers are not police, they are not not seen as the ‘establishment.’ And because most, if not all, are also trained tour guides, they are able to describe to passersby what exactly is going on. We’ve found that, with education comes a higher degree of tolerance.

Since May of 2021 we have been accompanying Armenian monks every week on their weekly procession from the Armenian monestary to the Church of the Holy Sepulcre. This came on the heels of an attack of a monk in May, during a procession.

You can read about our accompaniment of Armenian monks here:

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation, the American Center Jeursalem, and Keren Nitzan for their support of Window to Mount Zion.

Naomi Roff2021-09-24T14:32:58+00:00September 5th, 2021|Blog, Mount Zion|

MiniActive Youth – Cleaning Up their Neighborhood, One Section at a Time

We’ve written about MiniActive Youth here and here, and about the especially important activities here and here during the pandemic.

Getting the kindergarten ready for the school year.

This past summer, they continued to hold activities. In August, this included helping to build garden furniture and clean up the yard of a local kindergarten in the Sur Baher neighborhood. With their help, the kindergarten was able to get ready for the upcoming school year.

Painting, building, cleaning – all in a day’s work

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

A group worked in Beit Hanina as well, helping prepare a local garden. Here are more pictures from MiniActive’s Facebook page:

Many thanks to MiniActive Youth! And many thanks to our MiniActive partners: the Jerusalem Foundation, to Natan and to the Leichtag Foundation‘s Jerusalem Model.

Naomi Roff2021-09-24T14:34:07+00:00August 30th, 2021|Blog, MiniActive|

Atta’a – Continuing to Empower East Jerusalem Palestinians

The Atta’a Assistance Center for the Rights of East Jerusalem Residents has been helping Palestinian residents obtain rights and benefits since 2004, and we’ve described here, here, and here the amazing work they’ve been doing since the onset of the pandemic. Indeed, between March 2020 and March 2021, they helped Palestinians deal with over 7,300 requests, 4 times their annual average.

Atta’a staff being interviewed for local TV / Internet broadcast

And since March 2021, Atta’a is continuing to help local residents at an accelerated pace: From the beginning of 2021 to the end of July, Atta’a has had nearly 2,500 requests for assistance. This breaks down to:

800 requests via Facebook
500 requests via WhatsApp
and another nearly 1,200 requests via in-person meetings

What’s the reason for the uptick in requests? Well, the continued pandemic, for one. Another is that the family re-unification law, which has prevented Palestinians from filing for residency status in order to live together with their families since the early 2000’s, was not renewed in early July, and many are turning to Atta’a for help. Since posting, this video has received over 210,000 views! Here’s the video in Arabic:

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation, the Rayne Foundation, the Leichtag Foundation, and the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders for their support of Atta’a.

Naomi Roff2021-09-11T17:03:20+00:00August 25th, 2021|Attaa, Blog|

Simplifying Language – A Principle of Cultural Competency

A main principle of Cultural Competency is making services accessible to all. This includes adapting language to increase understanding. This could mean translation into different languages used – or simplifying the language used.

Keeping calm – and keeping it simple

On July 29, the JICC’s Cultural Competency Desk held a Language Simplification workshop online for cultural competency coordinators from healthcare and welfare institutions.

Dr. MIchal Schuster, on simplifying language

Dr. Michal Schuster led the fascinating meeting, which practiced with the participants important basics of simplifying language during meetings between therapists and patients from different identity groups.

Here’s a Facebook post from Cultural Competency desk’s Dr. Rachely Ashwal:

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation for its ongoing support of cultural competency in Jerusalem.

Naomi Roff2021-09-24T14:34:56+00:00August 15th, 2021|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Government Institutions, Cultural Competence in Health Services|

Window to Mount Zion – Bringing Improvements to Mount Zion

We’ve the Window to Mount Zion project here, as well as recent efforts to maintain the different sites, here and here.

On July 6, 2021, the Council for Conservation of Heritage Sites in Israel, with funding from the Jerusalem Development Authority, placed an explanatory sign at the Dajani Family Cemetery on Mount Zion. The sign explains the history of the Dajani family cemetery on Mount Zion – the family’s heritage and its members who are buried in the cemetery next to David’s tomb. It is written in Hebrew, Arabic as well as English, shows the uniqueness of Mount Zion as a sacred international heritage site for three religions.

Ms. Dajani in front of the new sign

This sign is a milestone in many ways. First, it shows that public authorities recognized the rich, diverse history of Mount Zion and the numerous narratives of the place, and seek to display this diversity to all. Second, it is yet another step in the Municipality’s (Mayor Lion’s) promise to maintain and upkeep the entire area of Mount Zion. We hope that these trends continue into the future and that Mount Zion receives the resources it deserves.

Here’s the post from the Window to Mount Zion Facebook page:

Many thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation, the Nitzan Fund and the US Embassy’s American Center Jerusalem for their support of Window to Mount Zion.

Naomi Roff2021-09-24T14:31:46+00:00July 18th, 2021|Blog, Mount Zion|

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