There is an enormous diversity within the Hebrew speaking population of our land, diversity in political leanings, religion and religious observance/sect, ethic and national status, economic position and sexual orientation. Many sectors within our society are segregated. For example, the left wing community rarely interacts in a real and deep way with the Ultra Religious or Settler communities and the Bedouin or Druze communities with Ethiopian or refuges communities.
Following the success of several years of the Middle East Jam, there was a call to use this tool to bring together peoples within Hebrew-speaking society, where painful divides also exist along with walls of fear, judgment and lack of understanding. As we can see all over the world, those at the forefront of social, environmental, spiritual, political and economic change are often in need of support; they require time to step away from hectic lives, breathe, reflect, be real and receive compassion and love.
The purpose of the Hebrew Jam is to create a space for heart opening, connection and cooperation amongst changemakers within diverse sectors in service of personal and collective healing. It is our belief that by supporting these diverse leaders we are supporting the larger movement of change and its sphere of influence.
The YES! Hebrew-speaking Leadership Jam will take place in the Spring 2015 (dates TBD) at Salim’s Bedouin Camp – Ovdat, Ramat Hanegev Desert, Israel. The Jam will engage up to 30 diverse change-makers, approximately ages 20-35, from varying backgrounds and professions. It will take place in Hebrew – since Hebrew is the language most commonly shared; this is not a statement of the supremacy of the language, but a practical way to engage a mixture of peoples.
The Hebrew Jam will take place over four days, incorporating activities that touch body, heart, mind and spirit. Outreach is currently taking place, both on a one-to-one basis and through local networks.
The JAM is being organized and facilitated by a team of five local alumni of the Middle East Jam:
Ilana Meallem was born and raised in London. Ilana left home at the early age of 18 to follow her passion for global, social and environmental activism, working in various capacities in the Middle East, Asia and South America. Ilana completed her Masters in 2006 through the Arava Institute and Ben Gurion University interdisciplinary program, focusing on the environmental and public heath impacts of government waste management polices within the Bedouin communities of the Negev. From 2006-2008, she worked at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies using trans-boundary environmental cooperation as a tool for building peace in the Middle East. In 2009, Ilana created the EcoSpirit Middle East initiative to help provide regional activists and change-makers with holistic leadership skills. In this capacity, she organized numerous retreats in the Dead Sea, Sinai, and Wadi Ram Desert in Jordan. In 2010, Ilana co-founded the EcoME Centre next to Jericho, a home for personal, social and environmental sustainability. She co-managed the centre for two seasons and is now an active member of the steering committee and mentor of the current leadership team. Ilana has co-facilitated five Middle East Jams; she also organized and co-facilitated the AAPEN Jam for alumni of the Arava Institute.
Itamar Cohn is a co-founder of the EcoME Center – an educational center bringing together Israelis, Palestinians and internationals to research and learn about the connections of personal, social and environmental peace-work and sustainability. Itamar received his bachelor’s degree in outdoor education from Trinity University College, Wales. Over the years, he has experimented with outdoor education around the world. From the UK, he led youth development expeditions to Latin America. While in Israel, he worked as an instructor for an environmental education boarding school with teens and as a rehabilitation challenge course instructor for mentally-challenged children. In the south of India, he piloted an outdoor environmental education program with tribal children. In the last four years, Itamar has worked as a wilderness instructor for Outward Bound in California. His paper, “Indigenous ways – Fruits of our ancestors,” was published in the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. Itamar is currently studying for a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Management, continuing to serve EcoME in an active role, living life in a simple ecological way and leading courses for Outward Bound Peac-ebuilding. Itamar participated in the ME JAM in 2012 in Jordan.
Liel Maghen, an Israeli native, is program coordinator at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. After graduating from the AIES program of Ben Gurion University, he completed a B.A. in Political Science and ME Studies, and is currently working on his Masters in Community Development, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Over the past six years, Liel gained much experience leading programs for MEJDI tours and facilitating several dialogue seminars for the AIES, including a four-day Arava Jam in Jordan which brought 20 Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian alumni for an intensive interpersonal program. After participating in two Middle East Jams, Liel acknowledges the impact of these experiences on his daily life, and especially on his interpersonal relationships, as he continuously implement the lessons that he learnt throughout his educational work.
Golan Yardeni is a social worker and group facilitator, who specializes in wilderness therapy. He works with children and teenagers in the outdoors and uses it as a therapeutic tool. Golan participated in the 2013 ME Jam, and since then, he has been very enthusiastic about being active in the YES! community, bringing the Jam to his local community and spreading the gifts he received in the Jam.
Goni Zilberman is based in Jerusalem. At the age of 18, Goni started to work as a journalist, creating radio documentaries and researching for different TV news shows. Later on, she studied Jewish philosophy in NYC and has been involved in different interfaith and intercultural programs in the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Back in Jerusalem, she was working in the feild of mental health. Currently, Goni continues her journey as a documentary filmmaker, while studying at Sam Spiegel film School. For the last two years, Goni has been a group coordinator in the Interfaith Encounter Association, as well as developing different dialogue and interfaith projects related to art, yoga and Non-Violent Communication. Goni attended the 2013 Middle East Jam and came back home inspired to keep the Jam spirit alive within the communities around her.
Check out the invitation for the Hebrew Jam (PDF – הזמנה_ג_אם) and download the application (טופס הרשמה לגא ם).