Shared Society
A Shared Society is one in which all individuals and identity-groups are treated as equals with regards to their cultural, social, political, and economic rights. In a Shared Society, each member enjoys a sense of belonging, stability, and security. Therefore, the relations between all members of society, especially in a heterogenous one like ours, are conducive to building a general good that is richer than the sum of its parts, and each group regards other groups’ contribution as a gift instead of as a threat.
Our Shared Society programs aim to reduce levels of mutual mistrust by addressing attitudes and assumptions through encounter processes. These encounters between participants from different backgrounds create tangible, need-related, added-value results.
We provide opportunities for different identity subgroups to meet and learn about each other’s needs thereby reducing stereotypes and fear. By building more solid and harmonious relations, we aim to reduce the level of cultural violence and to promote a rich harmony out of the cacophony that exists today.
Projects
Path Of Hope and Peace
POHAP is a grassroots organization of Palestinians and Israelis — dedicated to building coexistence through interdependent economies while fostering personal interaction and friendship between people and communities, mostly working in the Zur Hadassah-Hussan area (South-West of Jerusalem).
Our Abu Tor
Our Abu Tor’s goal is to enhance and buttress the community’s synergy by harnessing the residents’ commitment and skills, as it transforms from a precarious mixed neighborhood into a socially cohesive shared neighborhood.
Understanding Shared Society
An action-research program aimed at better understanding the potential and characteristics of a Shared
Society in Israel. This includes practical recommendations at both grassroot and policy levels. Conducted in cooperation with the Center for Advancement of Peace Initiatives.
The Cooperative Society Forum
We are one of the founding members of the “Cooperative Society Forum” aiming to unite all bodies in Israeli society that promote a common society. We hope to reduce polarization between the different sectors in Israel – religious, secular, ultra-Orthodox, Arabs, settler, liberal currents, Ethiopian – and any other community or stream in the society.
Past Projects
Living Together in the Negev
The project’s goal was to develop practical and strategic mechanisms towards the building of a shared Society. This included mutually beneficial cooperative work and conflict resolution based on a shared experience between Israeli Jews and Bedouins living in the Negev Desert Region in Israel. Conducted in cooperation with A New Dawn in the Negev.
Learning and Acting Together for the Environment in Jerusalem
A group of committed Palestinian and Israelis activists were brought together to learn each other’s language and to work towards improving environmental issues in Jerusalem. This, despite the fear, hatred and political pressure to maintain distance. Conducted in cooperation with Mazar.
Galilee For All
We were one of the founding members of the “Galilee for All” coalition (initiated by Alternative) that works since 2018 to promote practical steps for improving the relationship between all citizens of the Western Galilee area, mainly Jewish and Arab-Palestinians.
Neighbors-Jir’an Rahat-B’nei Shimon
A group of Jewish and Bedouin neighbors from the B’nei Shimon Regional Council and the city of Rahat, respectively, worked together to create a safe-space and learn skills to promote the improvement of the regional situation in the Negev area. Conducted in cooperation with A New Dawn in the Negev.
Kumu! Politicizing Jewish Pluralism in Israel
This project’s goal was to encourage the members of the Jewish Renewal movement to express themselves on general political and moral subjects, instead of focusing exclusively on matters of religious practice. This project became independent from Challenge in 2018.
J-AmLat – Progressive Latin-American Jews For Israel
This project goal was to support those members of Latin American Jewish communities that support a more assertive search for peace in the Middle East to express themselves and promote a vibrant and democratic public debate.