Jerusalem is a multifaceted, complex, exciting city but oftentimes Jerusalemites are only
party to a small sliver of that diversity and richness. Whether because they work, live or
socialize in settings that are homogeneous, there are few opportunities to consciously and
meaningfully engage with ‘the other.’
The first “Jerusalem has Many Faces” educators cohort ran in May-June 2024 with great
success. Twenty educators from all different backgrounds learned about Jerusalem and
found ways to integrate the complexities of the city into their work. The program included
educators getting to know each other through meetings, joint educational activities and
experiential tours that reflected the unique worldviews of each sector with the aim of
deepening the connection between them – secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox – and
strengthening Israeli spirit and resilience. The five-session program included two tours of
Jerusalem neighborhoods (Kiryat Yovel and Katamon) which highlighted the different
communities within each neighborhood, the points of connection and the areas of friction.
Sessions always had practical applications, paying close attention to pedagogy and how the
participants could bring their learning home to their students in formal and informal
educational settings.
Participants shared: “Each of us in the program felt like they were part of something big and
meaningful. It was an extraordinary opportunity to meet people from different sectors and
learn about their perspectives and experiences. The program strengthened our
understanding and connection and opened new doors for all of us.”
Another participant shared: “Participating in the series of meetings for educators was a
tremendous gift for me. I have been active and participating in dialogue meetings between
secular/religious/ultra-Orthodox for 15 years, but this time the series was exponentially
stronger. When we meet and get to know each other, it is a wonderful experience, but
when unity and familiarity are achieved between educators, the possibilities seem endless.”