Dear friends,
We write these words in the first fragile days of the ceasefire with Hizbollah. Whilst we believe in the power of diplomacy, the outlook remains extremely uncertain – and the ongoing situation continues to bring anxiety and frustration – alongside the anger, pain, and grief we all continue to experience. Tthe sense of being able to endure or even navigate through this challenging period feels as hard as ever. And yet, we at the Rossing Center are compelled to keep trying and to take action. We continue our efforts, forming new and existing groups and circles of people who believe in change and yearn for it.
We invite you to explore some of the past month’s events and draw hope from them, just as we gain inspiration and strength from our work and the incredible individuals we engage with.
“I always wanted to be part of a program focused on encountering the other, but most of the other initiatives I participated in avoided addressing issues of nationality and religion. I’m glad to be here, learning, sharing, and getting to know others.”
Anan is a 21-year-old student in the “Meeting Place” program at the Hebrew University’s Ein Kerem campus.
Anan, a second-year medical student at the Hebrew University, is required to take courses outside his standard curriculum to enrich his knowledge and explore topics beyond his field of study. Among all the available options, he chose to join Meeting Place this year alongside 14 other students from the Ein Kerem campus. Together, they chose, especially in these challenging times, to engage in dialogue, confrontation, and acquire tools relevant to both their academic and personal lives. When we asked why he joined, and why now, Anan explained that it is critical to participate in programs like this today. He always seeks interactions with people different from him—people interested in meaningful and complex discussions about identity, both his and theirs.
The Meeting Place introductory seminar at the FELM Center in Jerusalem:
“Jewish-Arab Relations in the midst of the War” by Gal Eblagon
“Introduction to the Roots of the Conflict: Zionist narrative and Palestinian narrative” by Professor Hillel Cohen
“Between Freedom of Speech and Incitement” by Attorney Sama’h Darwish
The group’s meetings began a few weeks ago with the opening of the semester. Though they are just starting their journey, Anan shared:
“I want us to deepen our understanding of one another, to become a group that respects its members and the diverse opinions and feelings within it. I want Meeting Place to truly feel like a home—a home for our shared encounters and a home for me.”
We wish Anan and the entire group a supportive and enriching semester—a semester that will provide each of them with a meaningful moment in shaping their individual and collective identities. Anan’s expectations are not taken for granted, especially not in times like these.
While the program offers a safe space for dialogue, engagement with diverse religious and national texts, and meaningful conversations, the situation on campus and beyond remains particularly challenging. Anan’s words inspire us, and we look forward to seeing more students like him, who view the campus as a space of possibility—a place where learning extends beyond classrooms into hallways and shared spaces that foster genuine partnerships.
We’re Going Viral!!
Alongside our regular work at the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations, we’ve been working on two significant projects.
The first is an exciting effort to gather insights and perspectives from local Christians about their identities, their relationship with Israeli society, and their connection to the Church. It has been over 10 years since a study like this was last conducted for local communities, and we’re thrilled to share the findings in the coming months.
Additionally, we have been hard at work producing a new video that highlights the unique challenges of Jewish-Christian relations in the Holy Land. Our team has met and filmed conversations with individuals working in the field from diverse perspectives. We look forward to sharing the video with you soon on our platforms.
📢Save the Date📢
We’ll be hosting Hanukkah-Christmas events at the Open House in Ramle on December 23rd. Stay tuned for updates and details on how to join!
Most of our programs are still in their early stages. Many November sessions focused on setting expectations, creating group contracts, and building connections. Even at this introductory stage, aimed primarily at breaking the ice, we see participants’ readiness for deeper engagement, learning, and encounters with unfamiliar narratives. They don’t view this as alienating but as enriching and developmental.
“I want us to speak transparently about feelings and opinions. I hope everyone brings their own world into the group. I want the group to embody trust and acceptance, creating partnerships through our connections.”
Participant in our Educational Leadership in Times of Crisis program
The needs in the field are overwhelming. Teachers, principals, students, and other participants in our programs continually reach out with their challenges. They need more support and tools to cope with ongoing trauma and the complexities arising. Together we are grappling with the demands of the moment, including the many legislative initiatives to limit freedom of speech and democracy in general.
We hope for quieter days when we can focus on healing the wounds of the present and building a better tomorrow.
