Blog | The Jerusalem Intercultural Center

Cultural Competence in the Healthcare System in Jerusalem in 2010

One of our major projects this year has been cultural competency in the health care system. Cultural competency aims to help all cultures, ethnicities and faiths to have equal access to quality medical care. We do this by training medical translators, training medical and paramedical staff in cultural sensitivity, and adapting signage and other infrastructure to include the main required languages. Following are highlights of our 2010 activities:

Hadassah Medical Center – Mount Scopus

For the first time, we held a 5-day medical translation course for 34 volunteer translators.
We held cultural competence seminars for about 80 medical and paramedical staff in the emergency, pediatrics, gynecology and maternity departments.
Between November 2010 – January 31, 2011, nearly 300 requests for translation were registered.

Alyn Rehabilitative Hospital

We held 6 full-day cultural competence seminars for 120 medical and paramedical staff.
We added a new 2-hour introduction on cultural sensitivity to training for new staff.
We facilitated the opening of the first Muslim prayer room at a Jerusalem hospital in May.
We’ve ensured that all signs are now written in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Thanks to our efforts, the more than 3,300 patients (including day and long-term) that Alyn admits each year are helped by more culturally sensitive staff.

Clalit Medical Organization

We held cultural sensitivity seminars for at least 100 medical and paramedical staff at primary care clinics throughout Jerusalem.
Thanks to our efforts, tens of thousands of patients of the 5 primary care clinics throughout Jerusalem benefitted from a more culturally sensitive staff.

Developing New Relationships

We held preliminary discussions with Bikur Holim Hospital and Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center to introduce a comprehensive cultural competency programs.
We drafted Guidelines to Assimilating Approaches of Cultural Competency in Health Care Organizations, as well as a more detailed Guide to Accessibility Manual, which will serve as authoritative guides for professionals in Israel.
We were involved in a process with the Israel Ministry of Health that led to a directive that will institute national standards for cultural competency in health care organizations throughout Israel. Published on 8 February 2011, it will signify a revolution in cultural competency in health care, both in acknowledgement of its importance and in practice in improved policy measures.

jicc2014-04-04T12:56:34+00:00February 10th, 2011|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services|

The Arabic-Hebrew Studies Center in Jerusalem – the 2010-11 classes

This fall we have opened up 6 courses in Arabic: 2 in Level 1 (beginners), 2 in Level 2 (advanced beginners), 1 in Level 3 (intermediate) and 1 in Level 4 (advanced). Last year we had “just” 5 courses, and in the last years, because of the demand, we find ourselves expanding the number of courses every year.

The groups meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the newly renovated JICC building. This year, the participants enjoy the new heating and air-conditioning systems, audio-visual capacities for learning, new furniture and more. Following the renovations, we have now a much more adequate second floor for the courses – more space options for the classes, less noise and interruptions between the groups, and even more restroom stalls…

The goal of the courses is to train professionals who need to use Arabic in their professional capacities to communicate on a reasonable level, and the curriculum is designed for this purpose. Classes include a large component of discussions and listening to songs and other verbal material to practice. “After only 4-5 lessons, the teacher gave us a 30-minute lecture in Arabic – on the teacher’s family, on their pilgrimage to Mecca, etc. and we understood everything!” exclaimed one participant.

This year we have more than 70 participants – students, professionals and activists who come into regular contact with Arabic-speaking residents and who need it to communicate with them.

“I enjoy the course immensely,” said another participant. “I don’t believe I’ll ever be fully fluent, but it does definitely help me to understand Arab culture and history. I am now more aware of the presence and (or absence) of Arabic all around me – on signs, in stores. It is also very interesting for me to see the similarities between Arabic and the language found in Jewish sources.”

More on the JICC courses can be found in the blog post from last year.

jicc2014-04-09T17:42:30+00:00February 7th, 2011|Blog, Courses, Language Center|

Promoting Healthcare Cooperation through Cross-Cultural Dialogue of Jewish and Arab doctors in Jerusalem

On Thursday, January 13, after long and intensive preparation, we had the first of 10 meetings of the cross-cultural dialogue group of health professionals in Jerusalem. Thirty participants, 19 Jews and 11 Arabs, met for the first time at Hadassah Mount Scopus hospital. The participants included doctors from Jerusalem hospitals (Hadassah Mount Scopus, Hadassah Ein Kerem, Shaare Tsedek, Bikur Holim, Al-Mukassed and more), HMOs (Clalit and Maccabi) and also from the Red Crescent.

Doctors East and West Jerusalem Seminar – meeting 1

The group heard an introduction to medicine in East Jerusalem from Dr. Nafiz Nubani, Deputy Director of the Jerusalem District of the Ministry of Health. We then had a presentation by Dr. Maurit Be’eri, Deputy CEO of Alyn Pediatric Hospital, on the process of increasing cultural competency that the institution has been undergoing with the assistance of the JICC. Thanks to the simultaneous translation, we could have the talks in Arabic and Hebrew, respecting the mother tongues and identities of all the participants. The next meetings will deal with the treatment process from the primary clinic in east Jerusalem to the hospital and back, cultural competency in the context of Islam and East Jerusalem, becoming acquainted with healthcare models that were used in other places, and more. One of the meetings will be dedicated to touring clinics in East Jerusalem.

Dr. Morit Beeri, Deputy CEO of Alyn Pediatric Hospital, speaking to the Doctors Group

Dr. Maurit Beeri, Deputy CEO of Alyn Pediatric Hospital, speaking to the Doctors Group

We put intensive effort into creating this group; indeed, it was a challenge we wanted to invest in. At the beginning of the process, we intended to hold a group for a variety of medical professionals – doctors, nurses, administrators, pharmacists, etc. People with whom we consulted had two assumptions. One was that doctors would not be interested in a group like this and would not register for it because they are too busy. The second was that doctors would not come to a group that includes people from other professions… We took the risk – we decided to limit the group to doctors and to try anyway – we knew that if we succeed, these doctors will be the best agents of change in the health system. The 30 doctors who came to the meeting, most of whom senior physicians in the health system in East and West Jerusalem, showed us that we were correct in our strategy.

Intensive staff efforts were required for this group to materialize and then to crystallize. Hadassah agreed to notify its entire doctors’ mailing list about it. HARI (Israeli Doctors Histadrut/Union) distributed notices about the group to all the doctors in Israel (16,000 doctors). The surprising result was that there were many who called and asked for details. Tal Kligman, the project manager, worked with the entire project team to create engaging content for the meetings, including cultural competence issues and strategies, best practices for interaction between diverse staff members, and more. Much work was invested in creating contents and structure that would be effective and relevant for all participants, Arabs and Jews, and be appealing to them. Tal spoke with each of the participants a few times. An evaluator was selected for the process and began his work.

At this point, after one meeting, our feeling about the implementation is that it is very successful. It is very important to note that without the funding of the Beracha Foundation, this group could not take place. The investment of staff time and effort, the intense facilitation, the simultaneous translation etc. – all these made the recruitment of the doctors possible and optimized the impact of the process. As a result, senior doctors on both sides (including the director of Hadassah Mount Scopus hospital, heads of departments, heads of HMO teams, deputy general of the Ministry of Health Jerusalem District and others) have enrolled. We believe that this high-profile group will create a network of Arab and Jewish doctors in Jerusalem that will be helpful (together with the JICC’s efforts in the field) to improve equality in medicine in Jerusalem. The JICC has a mission to make Jerusalem a culturally competent city, and this group of doctors will definitely help us in this mission, thanks to the process they will get through in these meetings.

jicc2014-04-09T17:29:21+00:00January 13th, 2011|Blog, Courses, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Palestinians/Arabs|

The Jerusalem Foundation’s quarterly publication (December 2010) focuses on the JICC

We at the Jerusalem Intercultural Center have had a very close and fruitful relationship with the Jerusalem Foundation since day 1. Indeed, they were among our founding partners and continue to be one of our important strategic partners today. In 2003, in recognition of our expertise and experience, we and the Jerusalem Foundation formulated a strategy that responds to the diversity challenges in the city. A critical element includes leading new initiatives that seek to train strong leaders and agents of change, who will be able to lead widening circles of children, youth and adults – each in their own context – toward a livable future in Jerusalem, regardless of future political realities. This has included training grassroots and project leaders, providing language and communication skills and acting as a resource for all. This past summer the Jerusalem Foundation also renovated our historic building on Mt. Zion, enabling participants in our programs to enjoy our special facility with modern comforts and safety.

Jerusalem Foundation Windows December 2010 – Cover

This December’s edition of the Jerusalem Foundation’s quarterly publication, Windows, featured its leading coexistence projects, nearly all of them under the leadership of the Jerusalem Intercultural Center. The articles focus on our community work in East Jerusalem, our Cultural Competence in Health Program and our annual Speaking Arts Conference. These are, of course, are just a few examples of the work of the JICC in Jerusalem. On the cover, there is a picture of our building, newly-renovated by the Jerusalem Foundation through the generous support of Professor Dr. Jan-Philipp Reemtsma, the Hamburg Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Culture.

We appreciate this partnership with the Jerusalem Partnership and are excited to see it grow.

Link to the Windows publication (Acrobat – PDF) – click here.

For Acrobat 5 compatible version of the publication (in case the above does not open properly) – click here.

jicc2014-04-09T17:27:47+00:00December 23rd, 2010|Arts, Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Palestinians/Arabs, Silwan Community Dialogue, Speaking Arts Conference|

Speaking Arts 2010

We held our 7th Annual Speaking Arts Conference on November 24 – 25 in Jerusalem, thanks to the continued support of the Jerusalem Foundation and the Dear Foundation of Switzerland. A record-breaking 72 artists – actors, dancers, musicians, from all over Israel and Palestine – participated. “This is the first time I’ve heard Hebrew in an everyday context,” said a participant from Nablus. “and not from a soldier at a checkpoint.”

After an opening session with contact improvisation expert Noam Carmeli, the participants split up into master workshops according to discipline. Actors and theater professionals worked with veteran actress Salwa Nakara; musicians worked with internationally-renowned musician Sameer Makhoul; and dancers worked with dancers and choreographers, Raba’a Mourkous and Ilanit Tadmor. All worked with the theme Quiet, which was the theme of the entire conference. “Quiet is what allows us the freedom to create, to dream,” said the JICC’s conference organizer, Hanan Ohana

This year for the first time the artists took greater advantage of Jerusalem’s rich cultural resources, holding many activities at venues outside the Jerusalem International YMCA. The dance workshops were held at the studios of the internationally-acclaimed Vertigo Dance Troupe in downtown Jerusalem. The music workshop held its second day at the Paley Arts Centre in east Jerusalem. On Wednesday evening, Arkady Zeides performed his dance performance, Quiet, to conference participants and guests at the Lab theater and performance space in southern Jerusalem.

Additional distinguished presenters at the conference included Eyal Danon, curator and director of the Israeli Center for Digital Art in Holon. He lectured to dancers and actors on Thursday morning on using the arts to advance a political agenda, based on his experience on the project, Liminal Spaces. Shmulik Hadjes, of the Psik Theater, gave a workshop on commedia dell’arte (characterization using masks), in which the theater troupe specializes. Raida Sa’adeh, Director of the Paley Arts Centre, lecturer at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and internationally-recognized artist in her own right, spoke to the music group about the state of the arts in East Jerusalem.

The peak of the Conference was the closing concert, performed by Mira Awad and Shlomi Shaban. Both artists brought their own unique music, and their own unique musical virtuosity, to a wonderful joint collaboration, in their first time performing together. This was covered in the press (see examples, with some video clips here and here).

Here is an article that appeared in the English version of Ha’aretz newspaper on December 3, 2010 (click here for PDF version) ; Hebrew version (PDF)

Article on Speaking Arts at the December 2010 edition of the Jerusalem Foundation Windows magazine (PDF – Acrobat version)

jicc2014-07-11T09:09:38+00:00December 3rd, 2010|Arts, Blog, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Palestinians/Arabs, Speaking Arts Conference|

Prepare Jerusalem for peace now – an Article

We just published an article at the Jerusalem Post and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) News service, focusing on the need for preparing today Jerusalem for potential peace scenarios. Here are the links and the text:

The Jerusalem Post (English).

PDF (English).

Hebrew, Arabic.

Text:

Prepare Jerusalem for peace now
June 26, 2010

By HAGAI AGMON-SNIR

Last month, a Home Front Command exercise was carried out in Israel. The emergency systems were tested for their response to various scenarios in case war breaks out. That same week, someone jokingly disseminated a message on the Internet regarding an emergency exercise that would be carried out to test responses for when peace breaks out. In this imaginary exercise, calming sirens would be sounded and the general public would be required to respond to the cheerful scenarios that may unfold in this new and unfamiliar situation.

In Jerusalem, the idea of preparing for peace should not be a topic of jokes. We are so preoccupied with the struggle over what the city would look like following a permanent status agreement that we are ignoring the fact that present-day Jerusalem is declining before our eyes, becoming a city in which life would be difficult even when peace finally arrives.

In east Jerusalem, Palestinian children suffer from a severely underfunded public education system. As a result, most will not find employment that can afford any kind of social mobility.

Health issues – such as development checkups – are often neglected, and health problems that should be addressed in childhood will become a future economic and social burden, even in times of peace.

Chaos in the material aspects of life is sorely evident in east Jerusalem, where things like dense construction around roads which preempt any future expansion and collapsing sewage systems are creating an irreversible reality on the ground. The poverty and neglect in east Jerusalem will not only cause hardship for the Palestinians living there but will also affect the Jews in west Jerusalem whether the city remains united or divided, because if the city remains united, the need to rectify these problems would affect the funding for the western neighborhoods; if it is divided, poverty and neglect in the east would quickly become fertile ground for crime and terror against the Jews in the west of the city.

In west Jerusalem, the nonharedi Jewish population is dwindling. The city does not attract an economically strong population or young people who are not haredim, as there a few job opportunities. It remains very attractive to the haredim for religious reasons, but they are economically weak. The deterioration of west Jerusalem is bad news for everyone: A Jerusalem that is home to large populations that are economically weak will be a miserable city for all those still left in it.

DESPITE ALL these threats to the future of the city, too often Jerusalem’s municipal decision-making process is shaped by considerations that contradict local interests and cater to global politics. One example is Jewish construction beyond the Green Line. The construction in Ramat Shlomo in north Jerusalem and in Gilo in the south made headlines across the world. Yet, anyone who has taken part in Israeli- Palestinian negotiations on Jerusalem knows that in any reasonable scenario, these neighborhoods will remain on the Israeli side. Moreover the construction in these neighborhoods is of high importance to the Jewish sector in the city, since construction for haredim in the north and for non- Orthodox in the south decreases the need for the haredi population to move into the secular neighborhoods in southern Jerusalem.

Reducing this pressure would strengthen west Jerusalem and this in turn, would benefit the residents in the east. Whether Jerusalem is united or divided, economic and employment cooperation between the two parts of the city keeps them intertwined and interdependent.

However, as Israel refuses to differentiate between legitimizing the building in Gilo and legitimizing the settling in the heart of the Palestinian neighborhoods, the Palestinians and the rest of the world do not make this distinction either. The world hears about Jews who enter homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood after its Palestinian inhabitants are evicted. The result: worldwide political pressure to stop the construction in Gilo and Ramat Shlomo, the same construction that can contribute to the prosperity of the city.

Israel, in response, toughens its stance on Palestinian construction in Silwan. This brings only harm to all the residents of Jerusalem Almost 800,000 people live in Jerusalem, from a variety of religions, nationalities, religious outlooks and ethnic groups. When peace comes this diversity can turn into a wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in visiting or living in Jerusalem – if only we could save the city from its current decline.

For this to happen the decision-making process on the municipal level must shift to a professionalism dedicated to improving services for all the residents of the city, one that sets aside global considerations. A greater focus on these issues at the municipal level will make Jerusalem friendlier to its inhabitants. And paradoxically, focusing on its own population’s needs can help turn Jerusalem, even in the eyes of the world, from a political burden into a universal resource.

The writer is the director of the Jerusalem Intercultural Center and can be reached at hagai@jicc.org.il. This article is published in conjunction with the Common Ground News Service and forms part of a special series on Jerusalem.

jicc2014-10-08T19:44:13+00:00June 26th, 2010|Blog, Cultural Competence, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Inter-Cultural Community Dialogue, Jewish Religious Denominations, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, On Jerusalem, Palestinians/Arabs, Ultra-Orthodox Jews|

The Jerusalem Arabic-Hebrew Study Center – End of the 2009-10 classes

This week marked the conclusion of most of the JICC’s Hebrew and Arabic language courses for 2009-2010. The Hebrew-Arabic Study Center provides languages courses in Hebrew and Arabic to promote efficacious and positive communication between Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem.

The Hebrew-Arabic Study Center programming is made possible through the partnership of the Jerusalem Foundation, and thanks to their support our courses are offered to the public at a heavily subsidized rate.

This year we held five Arabic courses (Palestinian dialect) for Hebrew speakers: two for beginners, two intermediate level groups, and one for advanced learners. Demand for Arabic language courses is high in Jerusalem; all of our courses operated at capacity this year, with 13-15 students in each course.

This demand is sparked in part by the unique approach of our programming – intensive language acquisition with an emphasis on the needs of professionals working with Arabic speakers in the city – answering an increasing demand for Arabic skills. The high quality of our two devoted teachers, Suha Kadri and Saida Rubhi, is another primary reason for courses’ success. Registration for 2010-2011 is already almost full …

Final Field Trip of the Advanced Arabic Course

At the same time, the JICC, together with the Kesher organization, provided Hebrew instruction for Arabic speakers. Our Hebrew language course was the first of its kind specially tailored to meet the unique requirements of parents of special needs children. Today, Jerusalem-based institutions providing medical and support services to special needs children are very Hebrew-centric. These parents joined this adapted course to help ensure that they could properly communicate with their children’s Hebrew-speaking medical professionals and caregivers and access the best possible services for their families.

jicc2014-04-09T17:21:30+00:00June 24th, 2010|Blog, Courses, Language Center|

Speaking Art Conference: Triggering Activity year-round – Follow-up Meeting on June 2010

By Naomi Roff Kohn, The Jerusalem Foundation:

Year after year participants in the Speaking Art Conference for Jewish and Arab arts professionals, held every December for the past 6 years, respond that they wish to stay in touch with the friends and contacts they meet at the conference. Responding to this feedback, and in an effort to expand the impact of the Conference to continue throughout the year, on June 17, 2010, the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem Inter-Cultural Center hosted a full-day seminar for dozens of Jewish and Arab Speaking Art participants at the JICC main office on Mt. Zion. Participants from all 6 previous Speaking Art conferences were invited to attend.

In the morning some 25 Jewish and Arab participants – musicians, actors, movement professionals – took part in a photography workshop, led by Yoram Peretz, a professional photographer, instructor at Kaye College in the Negev and experienced group facilitator, especially in multi-cultural settings. Participants, working in 3 smaller groups, raised questions such as: ‘How do I view the ‘other’? How do I want the ‘other’ to view me? How does each of us translate the concept, ‘meeting / encounter’?’

Photography workshop – June 2010

After lunch they enjoyed a tour of David’s Tomb, the room of the Last Supper, and Dormition Abbey, all of which are located near the JICC offices on Mt. Zion. For many it was the first time they were introduced to these unique sites, which are holy to Jews, Christians as well as Muslims. David’s Tomb is noted in both Jewish and Muslim tradition and has religious significance for both religions. Christian tradition notes that Jesus’ Last Supper took place in a room above David’s Tomb. In addition, the Virgin Mary is supposed to have fallen asleep on Mt. Zion for the last time; on this spot the beautiful Dormition Abbey now stands.

“This seminar came about as an effort to expand the impact of the Speaking Art Conference, and explore possibilities to strengthen it for the future,” said Nadim Sheiban, Director of the Projects Department of the Jerusalem Foundation and one of the initiators of the conference. “For example, we tried the photography workshop today and, because it is an important medium that enables dialogue between Jews and Arabs, we are considering adding that to the Conference. I know participants were enthusiastic about their experiences today; we will bear this feedback in mind when we get to the detailed planning stages.”

After the informative tour of the Mt. Zion area participants went to work. One group discussed the macro – they worked together to examine the overall vision for the conference and how to create a synergy between professional development for artists and Jewish-Arab dialogue. A second group discussed the micro – specific suggestions for new disciplines, different kinds of workshops, different moderators and guest facilitators, etc. for the upcoming Speaking Art Conference. In future meetings of the Speaking Art Steering Committee these suggestions will be discussed and implemented, if feasible.

Evening Concert – June 2010

The day came to a close in the JICC’s charming garden, with a Oud and Canoun concert, led by renowned oud musician, Sameer Makhoul. As the concert progressed, participants joined in, the fruits of informal practice gatherings since the last Speaking Art Conference. Some contributed on their musical instruments (violin, guitar, darbouka drum), some in song, and some in dance.

Evening Concert – June 2010

“A number of the participants [of Speaking Art] make contacts at the conference and they wish to continue to meet throughout the year,” said Hagai Agmon-Snir, Director of the Jerusalem Inter-Cultural Center. “Many indeed meet on an informal basis. I’m glad that we were able to bring together a strong core of people, most of whom have participated in the conference for several years, to get people excited and thinking about the one to come.”

This report was published at the Jerusalem Foundation website.

jicc2014-07-11T09:09:11+00:00June 17th, 2010|Arts, Blog, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Palestinians/Arabs, Speaking Arts Conference|

Additional Staff Training in Cultural Competence in Health

During the last couple of weeks we have had two more staff training as a part of our program on Cultural Competence in Health in Jerusalem, together with the Jerusalem Foundation.

On May 6, 2010, we had a second training program for educational staff of Alyn Hospital. The JICC adapted a workshop originally aimed at medical staff for the specific needs of teachers in the hospital. The result, as reported by the participants at the end of the workshop, was excellent, with participants reporting that they were more aware of the cultural and linguistic needs of the people they serve.

Alyn Training – Educational Staff

A week later, on May 13, 2010, we focused on issues surrounding cultural competency in health care delivery to the medical staff of the Clalit HMO. Again, participants agreed that the workshop covered exactly what they needed for the inter-cultural challenges they meet.

Clalit Training May 2010

It is positive feedback like this that lets us continue with these training workshops knowing that we are making a difference!

jicc2014-04-09T17:19:16+00:00May 13th, 2010|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services|

Healing From Within: Opening of the Muslim Prayer Room at Alyn Hospital – May 6 2010

As a part of our project Cultural Competence in Health in Jerusalem, supported by the Jerusalem Foundation, the Alyn Children Rehabilitation Hospital has decided to open a Muslim Prayer Room. It is important to note that it is the first Muslim prayer room in a non-Arab hospital in the city, and the second in Israel. It is a result of a deep understanding of the importance of prayer to the healing process.

Opening of Alyn Muslim Prayer Room

Community leaders from Tsur Baher, Fuad Abu Hamed and Sheikh Issam, were consulted to ensure that the room was well adapted to the special religious needs of Muslims. These leaders generously helped us to know how to furnish the room allocated for use as a prayer room and gave gifts of Korans and prayer carpets. Alyn Hospital made all the necessary adjustments to ensure that the room included a feet bathing corner, a special clock that shows the time of prayer each day and other essential furbishings. Appropriate signage in Hebrew and Arabic marks the location for visitors, patients and staff.

Today was the formal opening; a few weeks of pilot operation showed that the room is already well used by the Muslim community of the hospital. We at the JICC are very proud to be a part of this initiative of Alyn. Experience shows that patients who feel that the hospital is open to their spiritual needs respond much better to medical treatments.

We hope with time to convince other hospitals in Jerusalem similarly to allow people of all religions room for prayer and reflection in a respectful way.

jicc2014-04-09T16:58:07+00:00May 6th, 2010|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Palestinians/Arabs|

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