In a Conflict Management and Mitigation project aimed at promoting coexistence and communication, Jewish and Arab students learn to speak each other’s language – literally. Implemented in 217 elementary schools across the country, the “Language as a Cultural Bridge” initiative is unique in that it teaches spoken Arabic and Arab culture in Jewish primary schools and Jewish culture in Arab primary schools. CAO Michele Dastin-van Rijn met in Sandala and Nazareth; with the northern district supervisor from the Ministry of Education, principals, teachers, and coordinators of the program and underscored the importance of the classroom encounters.

Phtoto Credit: David Azagury/U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv