ADAShA

ADAShA provides groups which are interreligious in their composition or in their areas of interest with a serious, systematic and balanced educational experience in Israel. The project’s innovative programs encourage personal discovery through firsthand experience. Site visits, text-study, lectures, meetings with local religious leaders and visits to local organizations serve as stimuli for far-ranging theological, historical and contemporary discussions amongst the participants.

ADAShA (Hebrew and Arabic for “lens”) allows participants to explore their own Christian, Muslim or Jewish roots and gain a deeper understanding of key religious, cultural, spiritual, and educational issues in Israeli and Palestinian society. This, along with confronting serious questions about faith, people and nationality in the context of complex regional problems.

ADAShA’s target audiences are communities, universities, religious groups, inter-religious groups and others from abroad that want to experience a unique, nuanced, and sensitively multi-narrated visit in Israel and Palestine. Programs range from in-depth seminar-tours (10-18 days) to short (half-day) workshops, and are designed for groups of first-timers or for returning visitors. Seminars are tailored to the needs and interests of our partnering institutions (both universities and community groups).

Program themes include:

• Religion and Politics » Hearing Two Narratives – and how not to export the conflict along religious lines » Understanding the Israel – Palestine Conflict and Interreligious initiatives for amelioration
• The Faiths of the Holy Land » Commonalities and Differences between Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze
• Sacred Text and Archaeology » Jewish, Christian and Muslim Education: Teaching about ourselves and the other »
• The Parting of the Ways: Christian-Jewish Relations over the ages » Study the origins and development of the troubled relationship and learn about its rehabilitation in recent times.
• History of the Holy Land » Exploring aspects of the vast history packed into very little geography.
• Religion and Spirituality » Investigate the diverse spiritualties of the land which inspires so many and to which so many dream of journeying to on pilgrimage
• Religious Education in the Holy Land » How is religion taught and passed on amongst Christians, Muslims and Jews in Israel/Palestine? What are the advantages of working in the land of history?

As part of our educational philosophy, every program includes:

• Exploration of sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam from both spiritual and historical perspectives.
• Study of sacred text, often in situ
• Meetings with religious leaders and activists
• Encounters with political and civil society activists on the ground
• Home hospitality
• Visits to sites of religious and political tension