Ten thousand miles away, in the epicenter of the Middle East conflict, there are schools where the violent clash between Jews and Arabs doesn’t seem to exist.
Four schools, including one in Jerusalem, educate nearly 1,000 Jewish and Arab children side by side. Sam Shube, executive director of Hand in Hand, which created those schools, will speak Saturday on Vashon about relations between Arabs and Jews in Israel.
The school system in Israel is divided, he said — Jewish children learn in different school systems than Arab children who are Israeli citizens. But in Hand in Hand schools, children of both backgrounds are taught bilingually by teachers of both backgrounds, and in those students Shube sees a “different future.”
Though 20 percent of Israeli citizens are Arab, the cultural divide between them and Jewish citizens of the state can be large.
The two groups live in different communities, which “creates a lot of room for stereotypes,” he said.
“If we can, from childhood, when people’s perspectives are formed, have them learn together on equal footing, this can transform the way they learn and think about each other,” said Shube, a New York-born Israeli citizen. “If we can do that, we have a chance at a more civilized dialogue in the Middle East.”
The 950 students in Hand in Hand schools, plus their families, make up a community of about 5,000 people, he said, a community that is creating a new reality.
Islander Matt Bergman, an old friend of Shube’s, invited him to join the dialogue on Vashon.
“I believe that virtually everyone on this Island approaches this with a sincere desire for peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Arabs,” Bergman said. Shube’s “perspective is as someone who loves and supports Israel, but recognizes there are many legitimate perspectives to this dispute, and only by learning to live together and understand each other will we be able to find a solution.”
He said he thinks Islanders will appreciate the insights Shube will bring to the sometimes heated debate on Vashon.
“I believe we as a community will be particularly receptive to his approach,” Bergman said. “It’ll be a good discussion.”
Event
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Havurat Ee Shalom, Sam Shube will share his experiences with Hand in Hand and life in Israel. The evening is free, and there will be time for dialogue.
