Fwd: Encounter Trips in Bethlehem this Winter - Please Help Us Recruit!

[Aimee Mayer]

Hey friends,

I know some if not ALL of you will be in Israel over winter break...This trip is unbelievable. For those of you that I have not told this 2 days trip has changed the way I see the Arab-Israeli conflict. Most of you have been to Efrat and looked over to Bethlehem and have not been there. This trip has NO agenda (I mean a little one called respect). Go spend two days meeting Arabs, Israelis, and Palestinians. It is worth the 300-400 shekels. Sleepover in a Palestinian Christians home do NOT choose the hotel option. I mean you can but the best part was the sleepover and asking the family mom, dad, gparents, kids about living under Israel control.  I really really want every one of you to have this experience. It give you a face to think about when the news talks about these other people that we, as Jews and as Americans, do not initially identify with. Sign up NOW and tell all of your friends!

Chag Sameach. Enjoy Succot. This is the holiday where it a mitzvah and a commandment "ViSamcha BiChagecha" Be Happy!

xx

ilana

Dear friends of Ilana

We are excited to announce two upcoming  Encounter trips to Bethlehem: December 29-30, 2009 and February 4-5, 2010. These trips will offer rare and powerful opportunities for access to Palestinian life and thoughtful dialogue among Jewish leaders and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the basis of first hand encounters with Palestinian influential and ordinary people.  Please help us spread the word to key Rabbis, Jewish educators, philanthropists, and other Jewish leaders in your community.

Note that we have a number of other trips to Palestinian cities planned this year, so please consult our website for additional dates, and let us know when you will be in the region. 

Warmly,

Rabbi Melissa Weintraub

 

"Go. It is one of those rare experiences that can truly change your life"  – Rabbi Ruth Durchslag, Former Associate, Nathan Cummings Foundation

 

Trips in Bethlehem 

for lay leaders, Rabbis, and other Jewish communal leaders

December 29 – 30, 2009

February 4 – 5, 2010

This program does not represent a particular political perspective.
We offer participants the opportunity to listen, discover, and integrate
new perspectives into their Jewish identities.

Learn, through personal encounters, about key challenges facing Palestinians.
Discover steps that grassroots, non-violent activists are taking to meet them.
Go beyond newspaper headlines and television sound bites.
Examine the social and ideological realities of contemporary Palestinian life.

• Meetings with prominent Palestinian activists dedicated to non-violence and co-existence.

• Cultural evening of dance and music with local Palestinians.

• Personal and political presentations from Palestinian perspectives - examining issues such as the separation barrier and peace negotiations.

• Confidential, facilitated dialogue within the Jewish group.

• Choice of lodging at a hotel or home hospitality with Palestinian families.

• Kosher food available and several davening options.

The programs will take place in Bethlehem, Beit Sahor, and surrounding areas within 15 minutes of Jerusalem. 

Trip in Bethlehem	Orientation in Jerusalem 7:00pm - 9:30pm	Debriefing in Jerusalem 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday Dec 29 8:00am – Wednesday Dec 30 6:00pm	Sunday, Dec 27	Sunday, Jan 3
Thursday Feb 4 8:00am – Friday Feb 5 3:00pm	Sunday, Jan 31	Sunday, Feb 7

Cost: $100 - $400 Sliding Scale (All Inclusive). A limited number of scholarships are available.

Space is limited. Registrants are accepted on a rolling basis. To request an application, please write to Becca Linden at be...@encounterprograms.org. 

Questions are welcome.  Please call Becca Linden, Middle East Program Assistant, at 02.561.0275, or email be...@encounterprograms.org.

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Encounter 25 Broadway, Suite 1700 New York, NY 10004 +1 212 284 6776 2 Yitzhak Elhanan Jerusalem 92141, Israel +972-2-561-0275 +1-917-254-4882 Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

--
University of Maryland Class of 2010
Frankel for Congress 2013
Frankel for White House 2023
Life Goals: Aliyah and having a big happy family