Eleventh-grade students from Blich High School in Ramat Gan and Rawad al-Quds School in East Jerusalem came together at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem for a shared leadership program, a meeting that, under ordinary circumstances, likely would never have taken place. Thanks to the Museum’s efforts to create spaces for dialogue and connection, these students had the chance to meet, learn from one another, and explore shared values in a supportive setting.
The program, coordinated by the Museum's School of Civic Discourse, was organized in partnership with the Menomadin Center for Jewish and Democratic Law at Bar-Ilan University. Bringing together Jewish and Arab students, secular and religious, the four-part series offered a rare opportunity for meaningful dialogue between communities that too often live apart. Over two full days at the School of Civic Discourse, students embarked on a guided journey through identity, engaged thoughtfully with the “other,” and explored the principles and ethos of constructive disagreement. Two additional sessions were held at Bar-Ilan University, where students examined the legal dimensions of Israel’s Basic Laws and their relevance to central social issues shaping Israeli society today.
Yesterday’s session explored the essence of disagreement, with particular attention to core principles within Judaism and Islam. Framed around the theme “Between Self and Other,” the day combined text study, facilitated discussion, and experiential exercises designed to encourage honest, open conversation. The session was built on a previous workshop in which students began exploring their own identities and personal narratives.
Noa Rakanti, Assistant Principal for 11th Grade at Blich High School, reflected on the impact of the program, “The meeting between students from both schools was especially meaningful. They discovered that despite coming from very different backgrounds, 17-year-olds share so much in common. They enjoy the same things, laugh at the same jokes, and care about many of the same issues. Through the conversations, activities, and shared experiences over the course of the program, new connections were formed. Communication deepened, and the common ground that unites them became clearer.”
Suha Mash’al, Homeroom Teacher and Coordinator at Rawad al-Quds School, added, “Today marked the final meeting in a series of four sessions led by the School of Civic Discourse at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem in partnership with Bar-Ilan University. The students underwent a deeply meaningful experience. They participated actively in discussions, engaged in dialogue around complex dilemmas, and encountered important perspectives different from their own. Even in moments when tensions surfaced, the program provided them with tools to navigate the challenges. We saw cooperation, genuine dialogue, and meaningful connection emerge. In my view, this is a program of tremendous educational value that promotes open and respectful discourse.”
The School of Civic Discourse, operating within the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, is dedicated to equipping participants with tools for respectful dialogue, critical thinking, and empathy in an increasingly polarized society. Through immersive workshops focused on identity, the roots of disagreement, and navigating complex conversations, the Museum advances its broader mission: building bridges between all members of Jerusalem’s diverse communities and creating connections that might otherwise never have been formed.
