Special Projects

Over the years, our coexistence work has included cross-cultural educational programs, leadership training for older teens, programs for adults, including a long-term parents’ group, parenting skills workshops, language courses, and seminars for educators and social service professionals. Following are some of the special projects sponsored by OPEN HOUSE in the past year:

Preparatory Trip to Padova, Italy, May 2007

The Mayor of Padova invited Dalia Landau, co-founder of Open House, to speak publicly about OPEN HOUSE’s reconciliation efforts and the Middle East situation. Dalia used this time to prepare for the summer Young Adult Delegation.

Young Adult Leadership Delegation to Italy, July 21-August 8, 2007

Furthering OPEN HOUSE’s goal of promoting leadership development, five Arab and five Jewish Israeli young adults (ages 17 to 20) traveled to Padova, Italy. The Municipality of Padova invited these young people to talk about OPEN HOUSE’s reconciliation efforts and to join an Italian Scouts’ summer camp program. Participants spent the spring and early summer preparing for this trip in intensive, facilitated encounters. We will continue nurturing these next generation peace and reconciliation leaders.

“The Journey,” an Interfaith, Multicultural Encounter, July 22-27, 2007

Together with Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam and the Children of Abraham, OPEN HOUSE sponsored a program for youth, ages 16 to 17, focusing on ethical values and cultural diversity. Twenty-two teenagers from Ramle, Rehovot, Kfar Kassem, Kibbutz Gezer, and the Galilee traveled across Israel to meet people and religious communities reflecting diverse historical experiences, narratives and identities.