Yaad Miaar October 2007 update

On March 2007 we initiated a new dialogue process with a new group of Yaad members and Miaari descendants. This dialogue was inspired by the first round, which started in 2004 and lasted eight months. After those eight months, the group remained together and worked together to achieve goals that both the Jewish and Arab community wanted to reach together. This life-changing experience, where close friendships were formed (withstanding even the trial by fire of the war with Lebanon) inspired others. Due to many demands to join in, we have initiated a second group that will undergo the same process.

This time, the Arab group consists of 4 couples, and 2 men. Wafiq, the husband in one of couples, participated in the first group (2004-5). He was initially the most agitated person at the beginning of the process, but the one who had undergone the major shift in attitude towards the Jews in general and Yaad in particular. Between then and now, Wafiq tried to move into Yaad, but his wife and children objected, and he himself understood that being the first Arab family in a small Jewish community means abandoning their own culture, at least to some extent. Thus he put his dream on hold for 4-5 years, until Yaad starts building a new neighborhood. So, this time he invited his wife, a Palestinian from a village near Jenin who barely understands Hebrew. He wanted her to share his experience, and joined the group as her translator.

The participants came for the whole weekend of intensive work. We started as usual with a round of expectations. The participants were unanimous in wishing first "to listen [to the other story]" and then "to tell [their own story]". To this was added a fear of discovering unconsciously suppressed emotions or beliefs within oneself, fear of eruption of uncontrollable fury, a fear of not being understood and a fear that people will remain unchanged. But overall a curiosity was expressed: to know the other, to have a shared experience, to acquire new insights and to build something together.

After exploring the participants' fears, needs, frustrations, expectations and hopes in one nationality groups, the two groups reconvened, each sitting in a "block" to strengthen its members. Tthere was significant talk about the mutual existential fears. Each side admitted their fear of the other and made an effort to make the other side understand and feel it.

In addition to the insights mentioned in our previous reports, our accumulated experience brought to our minds additional insights: in this first round of sharing, statements are generally based on stereotypes and stereotypes are also expected to be heard from the other side. Both groups focus on the negatives heard in the accounts of the other group.

Following the usual emotional fist day, the participants insisted on being together in the evening. We sat in the garden of the beautiful monastery- turned- hotel, overlooking the breathtaking view of Nazareth and shared jokes and folk tales. People were bonding. It was hard to imagine the Arab who was now the soul of the party as the one who had gotten up furiously during the session in the first dialogue and announced dramatically that "he cannot take it any longer and is leaving" [though did not budge], after interpreting the Jews' statements as racist.

Now, after that the worst had been said and the participants survived it – the atmosphere is more intimate and open, and people are opening up to each other.

The process is not ended yet. We had two additional sessions and are meeting again in October. This group is very action-oriented. influenced by the impatience and eagerness of the two 'veteran' participants from the first Yaad-Miaar dialogue. The participants want to join the first group and continue meeting and working on two levels:

Advance and implement the plan to fence and clean the cemeteries of old Miaar (being a part of the landscape planning of the new neighborhood in Yaad, it will hopefully be done in the next few months).
Initiate and lead a public campaign to found a new Arab community on a portion of what used to be Miaar lands. We (Jabir and Chassia) will support and guide them through the process, being experienced politically activists and knowledgeable in bureaucracy. It will be tricky and will need a lot of patience to overcome the numerous obstacles and hurdles that await us.
Construct a park.on the ruins of Miaar for the use of both communities

Enhance personal relationships, including gathering of the whole families

Invite the rest of the Yaad community to a gathering, where the participants of both groups and the two dialogue processes will share their experiences and their new insights.
Invite the new members of Yaad, (the inhabitants of the new neighborhood who are unfamiliar with the procees) to a tour of Miaar hill and its history

	Yaad-Miaar: Dialogue Breeds Dialogue		See a short film on the first round of dialogue between Yaadies and Miaaries
	Chassia Chomsky-Porat and Jabir Asaqla On March 2007 we initiated a new dialogue process with a new group of Yaad members and Miaari descendants. This dialogue was inspired by the first round, which started in 2004 and lasted eight months. After those eight months, the group remained together and worked together to achieve goals that both the Jewish and Arab community wanted to reach together. This life-changing experience, where close friendships were formed (withstanding even the trial by fire of the war with Lebanon) inspired others. Due to many demands to join in, we have initiated a second group that will undergo the same process. This time, the Arab group consists of 4 couples, and 2 men. Wafiq, the husband in one of couples, participated in the first group (2004-5). He was initially the most agitated person at the beginning of the process, but the one who had undergone the major shift in attitude towards the Jews in general and Yaad in particular. Between then and now, Wafiq tried to move into Yaad, but his wife and children objected, and he himself understood that being the first Arab family in a small Jewish community means abandoning their own culture, at least to some extent. Thus he put his dream on hold for 4-5 years, until Yaad starts building a new neighborhood. So, this time he invited his wife, a Palestinian from a village near Jenin who barely understands Hebrew. He wanted her to share his experience, and joined the group as her translator. THE WEEKEND WORKSHOP, April 13- 14, 2007 The participants came for the whole weekend of intensive work. We started as usual with a round of expectations. The participants were unanimous in wishing first "to listen [to the other story]" and then "to tell [their own story]". To this was added a fear of discovering unconsciously suppressed emotions or beliefs within oneself, fear of eruption of uncontrollable fury, a fear of not being understood and a fear that people will remain unchanged. But overall a curiosity was expressed: to know the other, to have a shared experience, to acquire new insights and to build something together. After exploring the participants' fears, needs, frustrations, expectations and hopes in one nationality groups, the two groups reconvened, each sitting in a "block" to strengthen its members. Tthere was significant talk about the mutual existential fears. Each side admitted their fear of the other and made an effort to make the other side understand and feel it. In addition to the insights mentioned in our previous reports, our accumulated experience brought to our minds additional insights: in this first round of sharing, statements are generally based on stereotypes and stereotypes are also expected to be heard from the other side. Both groups focus on the negatives heard in the accounts of the other group. Following the usual emotional fist day, the participants insisted on being together in the evening. We sat in the garden of the beautiful monastery- turned- hotel, overlooking the breathtaking view of Nazareth and shared jokes and folk tales. People were bonding. It was hard to imagine the Arab who was now the soul of the party as the one who had gotten up furiously during the session in the first dialogue and announced dramatically that "he cannot take it any longer and is leaving" [though did not budge], after interpreting the Jews' statements as racist. Now, after that the worst had been said and the participants survived it – the atmosphere is more intimate and open, and people are opening up to each other. THE FOLLOWING SESSIONS The process is not ended yet. We had two additional sessions and are meeting again in October. This group is very action-oriented. influenced by the impatience and eagerness of the two 'veteran' participants from the first Yaad-Miaar dialogue. The participants want to join the first group and continue meeting and working on two levels: Action: Advance and implement the plan to fence and clean the cemeteries of old Miaar (being a part of the landscape planning of the new neighborhood in Yaad, it will hopefully be done in the next few months). Initiate and lead a public campaign to found a new Arab community on a portion of what used to be Miaar lands. We (Jabir and Chassia) will support and guide them through the process, being experienced politically activists and knowledgeable in bureaucracy. It will be tricky and will need a lot of patience to overcome the numerous obstacles and hurdles that await us. Construct a park.on the ruins of Miaar for the use of both communities Awareness and relationships Enhance personal relationships, including gathering of the whole families Invite the rest of the Yaad community to a gathering, where the participants of both groups and the two dialogue processes will share their experiences and their new insights. Invite the new members of Yaad, (the inhabitants of the new neighborhood who are unfamiliar with the procees) to a tour of Miaar hill and its history