Deliberation about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Fall 2012 in Philadelphia

Do you want to explore how you can respond ethically and effectively to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Do you wish you had a place to sort out your dilemmas or seek answers to difficult questions? Would you like to learn about a wide range of perspectives? Are you seeking to have honest, respectful conversation with Jews who have diverse viewpoints, in a supportive environment?

Please join us this fall for a special multi-session deliberation program!

What: This pilot program will bring together a small, diverse group 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?"

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

You will read and discuss parts of the Jewish Dialogue Group's new Guidebook for Deliberation about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.Your participation will help JDG to improve both the guidebook and the new workshop methods that we are developing.

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.

When: Four weekday evenings (6:30 to 9pm) in October and November.

Where: Center City Philadelphia -- exact location to be determined.

Cost: Sliding scale fee of $18 to $100. Scholarships are available, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Apply to Participate: Space is limited! If you would like to participate, please apply by Thursday, September 27.

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 participants to agree to

Attend all four 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 different 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 wide range of ideas and concerns from across the political spectrum.

Each chapter includes sections that describe:

values, concerns, and interpretations of history and current events that motivate that approach
trade-offs and risks with which advocates of that approach wrestle
specific ways to take action -- through advocacy, education, volunteering, travel, donations, and other means
areas of debate or controversy among people who support that approach

We will publish the first edition in the fall of 2012. Read more about the guidebook.