Training facilitators in the School for Peace method of working with groups in conflict is an important part of the SFP’s work in spreading the knowledge it has developed over the years. We have taught this course for forty years, adjusting and refining it with what we learn from our work in the field.

In this year’s course we suddenly faced a new challenge as the second wave of the coronavirus struck and social distancing became the modus operandi. As this course involves intensive participation, observation and feedback from participants, it is impossible to run the course completely online.  In order to meet the challenge, the SFP moved the program to an outdoor setting, holding the majority of the meetings in the courtyard of the Fred Segal Peace Library. An awning was placed over the courtyard for sunny weather, and portable heaters and blankets were brought out for cooler days.

Despite the difficulties, We opened the course in a 3-hour Zoom meeting on November 6th for sharing expectations and getting to know one-another. On December 4th – 5th we had the first weekend workshop. Five of the people that had been recruited dropped out due to the coronavirus; however we succeeded to recruit others in their place.

The final course participants are nine Palestinian and eight Jewish citizens of Israel. Among these are many who work in peace and coexistence groups such as Givat Haviva, Hand in Hand, AJEEC, Sadaka-Reut and others. Five of the participants are graduates of SFP change agents programs who wish to acquire facilitation skills.  Two are members of Neve Shalom-Wahat al Salam’s second generation. The course will continue through the Spring 2021.

The December workshop went well. The group opened major issues in the conflict as discrimination of the Palestinian minority.

The second weekend for experiential dialogue took place on 18-19 December 2020.  It proved challenging to integrate the two groups. Issues of gender, the conflict and the difficult situation in East Jerusalem situation were raised.

After Israel went into its third national lockdown, we decided to conduct the next meeting, scheduled for January 15, online using Zoom. All the participants joined. The mood was downbeat due to the pandemic, as well as the upcoming elections that promised little hope for change. Participants shared very difficult experiences in East Jerusalem, in the mixed Jewish-Arab city of Lydda. They spoke of the issues of discrimination and the ongoing violence within Arab society that was accompanied by insufficient police response; they spoke of racism and the silencing of critical voices.

We hope to be able to meet live on 5-6 of February 2021 for our third weekend for dialogue.