Identity Groups and Conflicts | The Jerusalem Intercultural Center

A Culturally Competent ALYN Rehabilitative Hospital during a Summer of War

It has been a difficult summer in Jerusalem, and for the region. It has been especially difficult for Israel’s hospitals, who treat all who come through their doors, but who must also deal with the effects of the conflict – on both sides – on patients and their families. It has even been difficult for the ALYN Rehabilitative Hospital, which should be one of the institutions best equipped to deal with this tension. With our help, ALYN was the first hospital in Israel to become fully culturally competent. Thanks to the support of the Jerusalem Foundation and the Sobell Foundation we’ve been working with ALYN since we began developing our Cultural Competency in the Health Care System program in 2008. ALYN has since become the model for other health care institutions in Israel. See here for more information about our Cultural Competency programs in general, and here for more information about our work at ALYN.

Alyn Cultural Competence Training

Dr. Maurit Beeri, Director General of ALYN, recently wrote a very interesting and important article in the Jerusalem Post about their work through this difficult summer of war and hatred: “Living together when the shadows grow long“. Here is a downloadable version: Living together when the shadows grow long.

Dr. Maurit Beeri writes in her article:

“I was a young department director at ALYN Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Center a decade ago when I first learned of the concept of “cultural sensitivity in health.” We can take better care of our patients, I learned, if we understood better their cultural concepts of sickness and healing, their faith and their folklore.

Together with the Jerusalem Inter-Cultural Center we developed a curriculum which helped us make ALYN more geared toward our patients’ families.”

We are proud to be partners to this important success story! Reading the rest is a must to anyone who wants to learn more about the challenges and successes in cultural competence in Jerusalem and in every place in which social and political tensions are an obstacle for medical work.

Naomi Roff2014-10-13T13:42:14+00:00August 4th, 2014|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Featured, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Palestinians/Arabs|

Working Together to Improve our Environment in Gilo

With assistance from the UJA – Federation of New York, we’ve been working in the Gilo neighborhood for the past five years, helping the Gilo Community Council. Utilizing principles of deliberative democracy, we’ve been helping residents to take initiative and responsibility for their communities. Most of our efforts have until now focused on parking and education issues. Other initiatives have focused on public – private spaces (PPS’s), but on a small scale.

Since January we’ve been helping local activists who reside in the area of Tirosh St., a long street that includes a number of PPS’s, in planning on which issues to deal with, what to do and how to go about doing it. After several meetings, they held a major, community-wide clean-up and renovation event on June 27, 2014, with help from the Jerusalem Municipality. You can see all this documented in a short video.

everyone helping

In all more than 160 took part – 100 children from the neighboring schools, and 60 residents. The residents were in charge from beginning to end – they were in touch with the Municipality, they organized the volunteers, they were in charge of the implementation. The Municipality worked hand in hand with the residents, preparing the area beforehand, and providing tools and work materials. Moving forward, there’ll be continued work on that PPS, most likely in smaller groups to make upkeep easier to maintain.

Kudos to all involved! We can’t wait to see more initiatives coming out of that area.

Naomi Roff2014-10-13T09:05:52+00:00July 31st, 2014|Blog, Deliberative Democracy, Gilo Community Dialogue, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish Religious Denominations|

The JICC Calming the Waters in this Time of Crisis

It’s been a difficult few weeks here in Jerusalem and in Israel in general. First the kidnapping and murder of 3 Jewish high school boys who had been studying in a yeshiva in the West Bank, then the kidnapping and murder of an Arab boy in Jerusalem, which sparked demonstrations in Jerusalem and even throughout Israel. And then missiles and air strikes and increased fighting.

Jerusalem Dome of the Rock

We have been working to ease tension and conflict, and to promote civil engagement in Jerusalem’s future, since we were established in 1999. Thus, when tensions heightened and reached breaking points, we were there, trying to help residents re-gain order, first in their everyday lives, and then on a community and city-wide level.

Over the past few weeks we’ve played a key role in Jerusalem. We helped to spread a message of calm and a return to routine, through our broad network of contacts throughout the city. In consultations with key figures we advised using a range of methods that successfully brought quiet to the streets relatively quickly. These consultations also returned routine services – garbage collection and sanitation, for example – back to the residents, reinforcing the feeling that everyone wished to get back to normal as quickly as possible.

It seems that these actions – and the influence of their messages – proved true in the field. Shuafat, the neighborhood where Muhammad Abu Khdeir (the Arab boy who was kidnapped and murdered) was from, became completely quiet during the day and incidents at night decreased quickly as well. Outbursts of violence and vandalism in different Arab neighborhoods were handled similarly, with similar calming results.

As soon as the military activity began in Gaza (July 6) and the missile attacks throughout Israel, including Jerusalem, we moved into a different mode of operation. We summoned the independent Emergency Readiness Networks that we helped to establish in East Jerusalem, which are a central component of the readiness of East Jerusalem in any emergency situation (from the snow storms in December 2013, to potential rocket fire like there is today) , and they continue to be on alert today. We are also helping many community councils in west Jerusalem that needed help in responding to the current crisis. For example, in the Greater Baka’a Community Council we helped to draft information and special messages of calm from the Community Council, which offered volunteer psycho-social professionals to help neighborhood residents. We advised other community councils regarding their responses to the situation as well.

In addition, because of our deep and extensive work in cultural competency in the health care system, we prepared special guidelines for health care workers for when social and political tensions are high, as they are now. In more normal times, hospitals and health care systems are often rare examples of coexistence and cooperation – between Jews and Arabs, religious, secular, ultra-orthodox (Haredi) Jews, etc. However, in times like now, when tension is palpable throughout the country, the situation inside hospitals and other health care institutions is affected as well. Indeed, in the past, there have been numerous instances of verbal and physical violence within hospitals, between patient and caregiver, between patients, and in rare cases, between caregivers. The guidelines help to delineate a professional response to prevent these situations and to deal with them quickly and effectively when they occur.

While today most of the attention is not on Jerusalem, we continue to work hard to maintain an everyday routine – and quiet. Under the circumstances it has become a state of “Emergency – Routine”. Much of the work continues to rely on the MiniActive and Emergency Readiness networks. The Emergency Readiness Networks continue to be on alert, ready to spring into action if necessary. The MiniActive groups continue, especially now, to contact service providers and report problems and demand repairs and improvements, which are able to take place because of the relative calm in the city. A lot of the work is being in contact with as much of the network as possible; the situation is not easy for any Jerusalem resident. Both Jews and Arabs are feeling the polarization and tension in the air.

Let’s hope for better times to come, soon.

Naomi Roff2019-11-16T13:41:16+00:00July 22nd, 2014|Blog, Courses, Cross-Cultural Communication Trainings, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Deliberative Democracy, Effective Activism, Emergency Readiness Networks, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Inter-Cultural Community Dialogue, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Larger Baka Community Council, MiniActive, Palestinians/Arabs|

Opening at the JICC in the Fall – Arabic Language and Culture Courses

The JICC has been offering Arabic language for communication almost since its establishment, thanks to the ongoing support of the Jerusalem Foundation. In 2013-2014 there were over 100 students from the entire spectrum of the population – young people and seniors, professionals and students – all seeking to be able to use Arabic to communicate with those they share the city with.

We’re just opened registration for the 2014 – 2015 cohort, and this year we’ve got some extra surprises in store. In addition to the weekly meetings (There’ll be 8 groups in 5 levels, both afternoon and morning courses.), we will be offering a range of cultural activities. We believe that this will help to enhance students’ understanding of Arab culture.

We will add 3 visits to unique cultural centers, such as a theater and a book store that also holds cultural events. We will also hold cultural encounters with various Arab cultural figures, such as a poet, artists, musician, actors, etc. We have openings for 120 students, just like last year. But, just like last year, we expect enrollment to fill up quickly. So hurry up and register!

Naomi Roff2015-12-05T20:26:46+00:00July 20th, 2014|Blog, Courses, Featured, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish-Palestinian/Arab, Language Center|

Climbing the Learning Curve – Results for 2013 Palestinian Nurses Certification Exam

2013 – 2014 has been a fascinating learning year for us in the Healthcare Certification Exams project for Jerusalem-based Palestinian nurses. As you might remember, in 2012 we had fantastic success – 26 out of 39 participants passed the certification exam, which enabled the nurses to work legally in East Jerusalem. In 2013 we set out with another cadre of 26 nurses, but their road turned out to be rather bumpy.

At the end of the course, even after instituting weekly quizzes to ensure that the material was being learned, only 3 nurses passed the exam. This caused us to take a deep, long look into the course – were we off the mark in the way we prepared the nurses? Was it just bad luck the second time? Was it the exam itself? Were we just very lucky the first time?

From our current understanding of the situation, it turned out to be a little bit of everything. The exam in September 2013 was indeed significantly more difficult than the fall exam the previous year. And as we learned from participants who re-took the exam in April 2014 (6 of whom passed!), the September 2013 exam was also more difficult than the April 2014 one. In addition, there was a significant group of participants who were one or two questions away from passing, indicating that there was indeed some luck involved.

After re-evaluating the course structure we decided to make a number of changes to the course – first, a number of stages, with entrance exams to each stage. All potential participants will receive background material beforehand. Not only does this ensure a common baseline of knowledge for all participants, it also shows a degree of seriousness that the participants will be able to study and learn for exams, which we’ve found to be essential to pass successfully. In helping the group of nurses to prepare independently for the April 2014, we ‘ve also learned that one specific review handbook was particularly concise and helpful in preparing participants for the exam. We’d used the handbook before, but in future courses (our next course will be geared toward preparing for the April 2015 exam) we’ll put a heavier emphasis on studying its material.

Our tally thus far – an additional 36 nurses who are accredited to practice nursing in East Jerusalem, out of 68 in two courses who took the exam. More than a 50% success rate in two years! At the previous rate (of 1-2 nurses successfully passing the exam each year), it would have taken nearly two decades to reach this number! Our thanks to the Hadassah Foundation, the Leichtag Foundation, the Dear Foundation, and the Jerusalem Foundation, for their continued support of this program.

Naomi Roff2016-04-28T15:40:36+00:00June 28th, 2014|Blog, Courses, Cultural Competence, Employment, Employment Accessibility, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Palestinians/Arabs, Supporting employment in East Jerusalem|

Building a MiniActive Community

As we noted previously here and here on the blog, the MiniActive project is not only about improving immediate surroundings, it’s about improving everyday life for Palestinian residents – especially women – in East Jerusalem. As part of that mandate there have been a number of initiatives that were organized either by them, by us, or by others, that enable participants to improve their quality of life.

One example are the exercise classes. There are currently 3 groups – a total of 70 women – who exercise twice a week. Two groups are in the city center (meeting at the East Jerusalem YMCA), and the third group meets in Kufr Aqeb to the north.

A second activity is the series of tours around the Old City, given by our own Dr. Anwar Ben-Badis. There were tours throughout the month of May.

Old City tour

We’ve also taken some of the women on trips outside of Jerusalem. In February we took 55 women to the Tiberias hot springs, and on a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee. At the end of May, and again last week, we took another 50 women on a kayaking trip on the Jordan River in the north of the country.

Kayaking

MiniActive women are also participating in a photography course, organized by the Naggar school of Photography, Media, New Music, Visual Communication and Phototherapy in Musrara. Last year some 80 MiniActive women participated in the pilot program; we’re glad that eight more (out of a total of 20 participants) can take part this year in the highly professional program.

Photography course

These are only a few examples of the activities for these effective women activists who transform East Jerusalem into a better and hopeful place. More examples will be reported in future posts!

Naomi Roff2014-06-20T18:36:00+00:00June 23rd, 2014|Blog, Effective Activism, Identity Groups and Conflicts, MiniActive, Palestinians/Arabs|

Taking MiniActive Leadership Forward – Professional Development

In such an important and vast project as East Jerusalem MiniActive, it is important for us to have continuing professional development for our volunteer leaders. That’s why we have monthly workshops and seminars for the 15 coordinators in the field of the area clusters. These are volunteer positions, and they report to Intisar, Intisar (yes, we have two, it’s not a typo) and Ikram in the JICC office. For example, in April the workshop included advanced instructions on how to register a complaint via the municipal hotline. It would seem simple, but in the reality of Jerusalem, nothing is simple. First, the women must schedule their calls for when there are workers who speak Arabic. Although the situation is much better than it was when we started (we helped bring about the hiring of an additional 5 telephone workers, bringing the total to 7 as opposed to the two who there were previously), the women still need to wait a long time until their calls are answered. When they finally speak to the hotline, they are tempted to register a number of complaints at once. The problem is that each complaint (i.e., call) receives a tracking number, which they can use afterward to check how the complaint is being taken care of. And if they don’t make one call for each complaint it is much more difficult to track the complaints.

April 2014 meeting of MiniActive Leaders

On May 25 we held another meeting, this time on how to strengthen the groups. Their next meeting will be held after Ramadan, which begins next week.

We are also helping all 15 of our field coordinators and active volunteers with their Hebrew. While we have found solutions to enable our Arabic-speaking volunteers to advance projects, many times Hebrew is required to facilitate communication with the Israeli service providers, and get things done. The course has been running weekly since the fall, and will continue until the end of June. Next year we might add more advanced levels. We’ll see in the fall what the different needs are.

Hebrew Course for the MiniActive Leaders

Naomi Roff2014-06-20T17:49:46+00:00June 20th, 2014|Blog, Effective Activism, Featured, Identity Groups and Conflicts, MiniActive, Palestinians/Arabs|

New in Healthcare Cultural Competency Services – Consultation on Issues Pertaining to Jewish Law

Most doctors in Israel are Jews, but even to them, Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) patients are an anomaly. There are so many different Jewish laws that the Haredi populations abide by (who are often more stringent than other Jewish groups), and so many different Jewish laws followed differently by so many different groups, it is difficult to know where to begin in addressing cross-cultural issues that arise in health care.

Helping health care professionals adapt their approach to Haredi populations’ needs, which in turn makes their health care more effective, has been an integral part of our efforts in the Cultural Competency in Health Care program. (See here, here and here for previous examples on the blog.) However, until now, our assistance has been per HMO (Clalit), per holiday, per project (calendar, videos, national network). Now we, together with Rabbi Zvi Porat of the ALYN Hospital, will be able to help everyone, across the board.

In May we opened up a consultation service for health care professionals on issues pertaining to Jewish law, in full cooperation with Rabbi Porat, who is himself Ultra-Orthodox and who works with the ALYN Rehabilitative Hospital in this type of capacity. As part of his work there, Rabbi Porat is in continuous contact with Haredi Rabbis of different communities in order to clarify and resolve issues and questions. Professionals who have questions can send them to a dedicated e-mail, and we, in conjunction with Rabbi Porat, will be in touch with them to help to resolve issues. This service is currently free of charge.

Until now, ALYN has been the only health care institution – or any type of institution in the fields of welfare, education, or health – in all of Israel to offer this type of service. We’re proud to be trailblazing yet another aspect of cultural competency, which we hope will further understanding between different communities not only in the health care context, but in other areas of life as well.

Naomi Roff2014-06-30T16:16:03+00:00June 17th, 2014|Blog, Cultural Competence, Cultural Competence in Health Services, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish Religious Denominations, Ultra-Orthodox Jews|

Beit Shemesh Round Table Goes Public

A few days ago, we received a notification of the following cry to public action: http://shemeshnet.co.il/articles/1769 (Hebrew article). The link relates to a round table in Beit Shemesh, which we helped to establish and operate a few years ago. Incidents in Beit Shemesh included the harassment of religious girls on their way to school, which quickly broadened to larger outcries throughout Israel against Haredi discrimination against women in the public sphere. After two years of dialogue amongst leaders from the different communities of Beit Shemesh – from the Eidah Haredit, Hasidei Gur, Shas, other Haredi communities, rabbis and central activists from the modern orthodox and secular communities in the city, the round table has finally come to a point where it could come out with a public cry for working toward common goals peacefully.

To the untrained eye, and to those who are not from the city, this declaration might seem a bit wishy-washy. What’s so exciting about a public cry for unity and public participation of all groups? But one first needs to remember that this is a very brave declaration in the face of the current situation: on the one hand, a mayor who refused to include non-Haredi city council members into his coalition, and who has not yet understood that it is his role to try and unify the city. On the other hand, a city council opposition that is so disappointed by the mayor that it began a campaign to divide the city. So, this is the context of the so-called pale declaration for unity and joint efforts. But it is very significant. Despite what made the headlines, everyday life in Beit Shemesh is quite nice, and the negative image that it gets in the headlines have the potential of wiping out any hope that had been there, more than any internal rifts. Our involvement was rather limited, since Beit Shemesh is still not (yet) Jerusalem. But, when the crises arose, it was clear that our experience and knowledge of all sides would be of significant assistance to them. In addition to the article, the group has also opened a Facebook page, and we’re helping to promote that as well.

Naomi Roff2014-06-20T18:07:36+00:00June 15th, 2014|Blog, Identity Groups and Conflicts, Jewish Religious Denominations, Outside Jerusalem, Ultra-Orthodox Jews|

MiniActive in East Jerusalem – Learning to Improve the Environment

In addition to improving their immediate surroundings, our MiniActive women are learning to take care of broader environmental issues. Since the beginning of the year they’ve taken part in a number of initiatives, including courses (one in February – March and another, for different women in April – May) on compost, household environmental issues, and more. They distributed some 20 compost bins that they received from the sanitation department of the Jerusalem Municipality. In light of the demand for compost bins, a group of women requested an additional 10-15 bins for distribution.

Another 8 MiniActive volunteers (out of a total of 25 participants) are participating in a special gardening course at the David Yellin Academic College of Education.

On June 8 there was a tour of community gardens in west Jerusalem, which showed examples of what can be done in the community. This included a stop at the community garden at the Nature Museum, and an in-depth explanation of composting.

Compost tour, Nature Museum

Naomi Roff2014-06-20T17:42:26+00:00June 10th, 2014|Blog, Effective Activism, Identity Groups and Conflicts, MiniActive, Palestinians/Arabs|

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