Mission to Israel Exploring the complexities of the Jewish, Democratic, Pluralistic State of Israel October 11-19, 2015
Mission Overview Join mission co-chairs Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs, Federation President and CEO Michael Sonduck, Federation Director of Israel Connections Jane Fantel, and rabbi in residence Philip Graubart on a special mission to Israel. You will explore the complexities of the Jewish, democratic, pluralistic State of Israel and delve into the social, economic, and historical implications of the many groups that make up modern Israel. You will have conversations with the residents of settlements, as well as political and governmental leaders, with the goal of understanding the issues affecting Arab-Israelis and other minority populations today. How do the people of Israel with different backgrounds co-exist? What is their vision for the future? How do they react to the challenges of security, politics, and education? On this mission you will not visit the standard tourist sites. You will hear many different perspectives and visit places where people are working every day to make a difference in Israeli society.
There will be a lot of opportunity for discussion, exploring topics, and sharing your own observations on what you experience. Each day will have a theme associated with the overall goal of the mission.
This very special mission was planned in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Arab-Jewish Relations, JDC, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Jewish Federations of North America staff in Israel. Staff from these agencies will join us for parts of the trip to help us understand their work and set a context for the issues explored. The cost of their participation is underwritten by the respective agencies.
ITINERARY
(The program is subject to change)
Sunday, October 11 Welcome to Israel: Setting the stage – Jewish-Arab relations and working towards a shared society in Israel Possible activities for the day: • Tour the city of Lod (a mixed Arab-Jewish city next to the airport) • Meet MK Adv. Ayman Odeh – the leader of “Hadash” political party and the head of the Joint Arab party in the Israeli parliament – the Knesset. • Meet Aiman Saif - Director of the Economic Development Authority for the Arab, Druze and Circassian in Israel • Hear from a representative of a major civil society organization on identity and shared society work Overnight: Haifa or Nazareth We will be accompanied on this mission by residents from Sha’ar HaNegev. They are fluent in English and will add an Israeli understanding and context for the issues and topics we will be exploring. Their participation in the trip is being underwritten by Federation’s support of the Partnership Together (P2G) program in Sha’ar HaNegev of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Monday, October 12 An inside look at the Arab community, integration and employment Possible activities for the day: • Nazareth – the evolving “Silicon Wadi” of the Arab community – learn about integration of Arabs in the hi-tech industry and meet with young professionals and entrepreneurs • NGT3 – learn about government investment, successes, and challenges of the evolving biotech entrepreneurial field in Arab society • Um El Fahem – the third largest Arab city in Israel • JDC-TEVET’s Riyam Employment Center, established in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Prime Minister’s Office • Visit the Bridge over the Wadi Bilingual School in Kfar Qara (run by Hand in Hand) to talk about the role of language in shared society • Baqa Technological College – meet with President Dr. Dalia Fadila • Dinner in a Druze village Overnight: Haifa
Tuesday, October 13 Mixed cities Explore aspects of Haifa as a mixed city (around 11% of Haifa’s population is Arab). We will discuss how higher education, business development, and integration are manifested in a mixed city. Possible activities for the day: • Visit the Technion and meet with staff and Arab students • Tour of Haifa and Wadi Nisnas with Beit Hagefen • A panel on interfaith dialogue with religious leaders • Free evening in Tel Aviv Overnight: Tel Aviv
Wednesday, October 14 Bedouin society and Arab-Jewish relationships in the Negev Understand the complexity of the Arab/Bedouin situation in the Negev. Experience the unique mosaic of traditional and modern ways of life and discuss relations between Jews and Arabs who are working to make the Negev a better place for all residents. JITLI participants and alumni, educators, and their family members will participate during Negev days. Possible activities for the day: • Presentation on Bedouin societies • Tour of Rahat with AJEEC-NISPED – meet the mayor and visit Negev Era Industrial Park with Director Moshe Paul • JDC Young Adults Center in Rahat • Hura and the Hura Women’s Catering Enterprise • Segev Shalom - the recognized village and the unrecognized neighborhood • Sapir College - meet with students and educators and hear about the new pilot program for Bedouin students starting this year through Israel’s Council for Higher Education • Visit Lakiya - visit the Sidre women organization Overnight: Tel Aviv
Thursday, October 15 The Negev – The Jewish Perspective On our way to Sha’ar HaNegev, we will travel through the Jewish settlement in the Gush Etzyuon area (south of Jerusalem). We will explore the Jewish connection to the land of Israel. We will continue focusing on this topic while visiting our friends in the Sha’ar HaNegev community, and discussing their challenges and opportunities, as well as their relationship with their Arab neighbors.
Possible activities for the day: • Gosh Tzion - meet local Arab and Jewish residents to discuss land, security, and issues in the Negev • Meet Alon Schuster, Head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, community leaders, and local residents of Sha’ar HaNegev Overnight: Dan Hotel, Tel Aviv
Friday, October 16 Multiculturalism in Tel Aviv - Jaffa We will spend our day exploring the various cultures in the ancient city of Jaffa and the first Hebrew city of Tel Aviv. We will discuss different aspects of culture, coexistence, and integration in Jaffa and Tel Aviv. We will have Friday night dinner and Kabblat Shabbat at the village of Neve Shalom (the only Arab-Jewish settlement in Israel). Possible activities for the day: • Visit The Orchard of Abraham’s Children organization in Jaffa and meet Ihab Balha (Arab Muslim) and his wife, Ora (Jewish), who are the founders and leaders of the organization • Bidayat Center in Tel Aviv • Hand in Hand bilingual kindergarten for Jewish and Arab children • Jaffa Arab Jewish Community Center • Meet local female activists from Arus El Baher organization Overnight: Tel Aviv
Saturday, October 17
(Optional Program)
How can we live together? We will spend our Shabbat at Neve Shalom, the only Arab-Jewish settlement in Israel. We will explore the local community’s approach to coexisting. We will visit Neve Shalom Spiritual Center and experience the special atmosphere of the place and its people. Possible activities for the day: • Tour of Neve Shalom • Workshops at Neve Shalom, led by local residents • Culture night in Neve Shalom Overnight: Dan Hotel, Tel Aviv
Sunday, October 18 Jerusalem - Looking towards the future To round off our journey, we will spend the day in Jerusalem exploring the macro questions relating to Israel’s democratic nature and its relation to its minority Arab population. Possible activities for the day: • Meet Supreme Court judges - Elyakim Rubinstein and Salim Joubran • Visit the Knesset and meet Knesset members • Meet the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin • Meet Prof. Kreminizter of the Israeli Democracy Institute • Meet the Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat • Closing event and a mission summary
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Cost Double occupancy: $4000 per person Single supplement: $700 Cost does not include round-trip airfare to Israel. This cost has been reduced by underwriting provided by Federation’s Mission Fund. Cost Includes: • Eight nights in deluxe 4 or 5-star hotels • All meals per the itinerary • All program expenses and fees • Expert Israeli staff, including licensed guide • Security coordination on a 24-hour basis, including onboard security guard/medic • Emergency medical insurance and comprehensive liability insurance
Mission Chairs, Staff, and Partners in Israel: • Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs are our mission chairs. Long-time supporters of and advocates for Israel, Gary and Jerri-Ann are investors in Israel’s start-up nation. They are the creators and supporters of the Jacobs Teen Leadership Institute (JITLI), a groundbreaking effort that brings San Diegan Jewish teens, along with Israeli Jewish and Bedouin teens, together to learn about coexistence in Israel. • Rabbi Philip Graubart will be our rabbi in residence. He is Sr. Rabbi of Congregation Beth El in San Diego and a long-time supporter of Israel.
• Yaacov Schneider will be our trip leader. He was San Diego’s first shaliach from Israel and knows Israeli society from the inside out. • Eran Tzidkyahu will be our guide. He is fluent in Hebrew, English and Arabic and is a frequent speaker and author on the topic of Israeli Jewish/Arab relations. • Jane Fantel is Director of Federation’s Israel Center. Jane is responsible for all of Federation’s work in Israel. • Michael Sonduck is Federation President & CEO. It is Michael’s commitment to a pluralistic, democratic, and Jewish State of Israel that was the impetus for this mission.
Pre and Post-Trip Extensions: Federation, through our trip provider, is happy to assist participants with pre or posttrip arrangements.
Travel To/From Israel: The Mission begins on October 11 with dinner at 6pm in Haifa and ends with dinner In Jerusalem. Before booking your air travel, please consult with Miriam Norten, Federation’s Mission Director, to make sure you allow enough time to get to/from Haifa and Jerusalem.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT DEADLINES: Registration Deadline (and 50% deposit due): August 1, 2015 Balance due: September 11, 2015 (No refunds after this date) We strongly urge participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
For more information, contact: Michael Sonduck michaels@jewishfederationsandiego.org 858-737-7143 Jane Fantel janef@jewishfederationsandiego.org 858-737-7122 Miriam Norten miriamn@jewishfederationsandiego.org 858-737-7144