Deliberation Pilot Programs: Chicago & Philadelphia

Do you want to explore how you can respond ethically and effectively to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Would you like to read about a broad range of perspectives on this issue and discuss them with people who hold diverse views? Do you wish you had a place to seek answers to difficult questions? Are you interested in having engaging, honest conversations, in a supportive, non-adversarial environment? 

Please join us this summer for a multi-session deliberation pilot program!

What: This program will bring together small, diverse groups of Jews to talk about the question: "How can I as a Jew in the United States respond ethically and effectively to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?" You will read and discuss a draft of the Jewish Dialogue Group's new Guidebook for Deliberation about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. A description of the guidebook is below.

During the workshops, you will:

• Learn about each other's stories and perspectives
• Reflect on their own values, feelings, and concerns
• Explore a variety of ways to understand and engage with the conflict
• Weigh their options for ethical, effective action

Read below to learn more about what you can gain through participating.

Who: Jews of all perspectives and backgrounds are welcome. Whether you have studied these issues extensively or you are just beginning to explore them, you may find this program helpful and rewarding.

Where: We will hold programs in Chicago and Philadelphia. Exact locations to be determined.

When: Five evening sessions in the summer of 2012. Exact dates and times will depend on the schedules of those interested. If enough participants desire further discussion after the fifth meeting, additional sessions may be scheduled.

Cost: Sliding scale fee of $18 to $72 for the series. Scholarships are available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Apply to Participate: Space is very limited! If you would like to participate, please apply by Wednesday, June 6:

• Apply for Chicago
• Apply for Philadelphia

Questions? Feel free to contact us at  info@jewishdialogue.org or 215-266-1218.

More Information about the Program

What You Will Gain: We hope that this experience will leave you with

• A greater understanding of the public debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• A deeper understanding of perspectives different from your own
• More clarity about your own values, feelings, ideas, and commitments
• New directions for action
• New questions that can guide you in further study or reflection
• Skills that you can use to discuss these issues in constructive ways

Commitments: We will ask all participants to agree to

• Attend all five sessions.
• Read or reflect for up to two hours before each session.
• Listen attentively.
• Speak honestly in ways that promote learning and genuine inquiry.
• Refrain from explicit or implicit attack or persuasion.
• Treat what others say as confidential.

About the Guidebook: The Jewish Dialogue Group's new Guidebook for Deliberation lays out four alternative responses to the question, "How can Jews in the United States respond ethically and effectively to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?" The four responses reflect a full range of ideas and concerns from across the political spectrum.

Each chapter includes several sections. The four chapters:

• describe the hopes, values, concerns, and interpretations of history and current events that motivate each approach
• recommend specific ways to take action -- through advocacy, education, volunteering, travel, donations, protest, and other means
• explore the trade-offs and risks with which advocates of that approach wrestle
• outline areas of debate or controversy among people who support the same general approach

We have completed a preliminary draft, and we are currently testing, refining, and expanding it. We expect to publish the first edition of the guide in late 2012. Read more about the guidebook.