Community Safety

JICC is piloting a host of strategies in communities along the “Seam Line” (connecting East and West Jerusalem neighborhoods), to build robust infrastructures that will significantly reduce social tensions and increase personal safety for Jewish, Christian and Muslim Jerusalemites.

Impact

500K

Jewish and Arab residents of the “Seam Line” benefit

Community-based initiatives will emerge in the first year

Community centers participate each year

Context

When feelings of insecurity extend for long periods, and tensions rise, the possibilities for rash decision making and violence escalate in the city.

The war and its aftermath in Israel and across the region amplify instability. With this program communities in Jerusalem: Secular, Religious and Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Palestinian Muslims and Christians experience an increased sense of safety, and be able to respond in a more resilient way in the face of tension, both in the present and when the next conflict inevitably occurs. This initiative is a collaboration between JICC, the Israel Association for Community Centers, the Jerusalem Center for Policy Research and others.

Strategies

Collaboration

JICC facilitates a forum of community center leaders in “Seam Line” neighborhoods and helps the communities address personal safety issues to collaboratively improve residents’ sense of personal safety. The model brings together the community, the Israel Police and the Mayor’s Office to strengthen communal resilience and reaffirm the social contract between residents.

Leadership

Forums for residents and council staff learn about stressors and tensions in the community and work together to find ways of relieving them. Ultimately, the culture and work environment of each community center, and the neighborhoods in which they function will be transformed.

Community Building Activities

The project begins with a needs assessment and, based on its findings, begins a bottom-up, community-based process. Activities initiated by residents include self-defense courses, developing a walking path for women to use at night, first aid/CPR training and parent patrols of teen activity.

Relevant Staff

Tami Lavie

Project Co-Manager

Mukarram Hadieh

Project Co-Manager

Email:

jicc@jicc.org.il