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Background
Haifa, a uniquely multi-religious and multicultural city, provides a natural setting for interfaith and intercultural interactions. In response to social challenges in northern Israel, this initiative aims to foster understanding, belonging, and community engagement through an academic course for high school students. Designed as a model for future implementation, the program integrates textual study, experiential learning, and research training to deepen students’ engagement with religious and cultural diversity.
Target Audience & Scope
The program is tailored for high school students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds in Haifa and northern Israel. It consists of 13 sessions for two groups of 15 students each, including three short excursions in Haifa and a full-day trip in northern Israel.
Program Components
- Textual Study – Exposure to canonical religious texts and cultural heritage, with guided discussions fostering critical thinking and comparative analysis.
- Experiential Learning – “Learning on foot” tours to places of worship, community events, and meetings with religious leaders, linking theory to lived religious experiences.
- Qualitative Research Training – Students learn interviewing, field journaling, and participant observation, equipping them with academic and analytical skills for exploring interfaith dynamics.
Program Stages and Implementation
- Initial Pilot: Implementation of the course in two high schools in Haifa – Leo Baeck High School and Ironi Aleph High School, with two groups of 15 students each.
- Program Expansion: Integration of additional high schools in Haifa and the northern region.
- Development of Innovative Educational Materials: Creation of unique pedagogical content for incorporation into the education system.
- Institutionalizing the Program in Broader Educational Policy: Establishing the course as a model for nationwide adoption in schools across Israel.
The program aims to foster tolerance, dialogue, and deep familiarity among diverse communities, while establishing an educational framework that serves as a model for interfaith integration in the national education system.