The Joint Jewish-Arab Year of Volunteerism Project enables young Jews and Arabs to work together on programs benefiting the Negev's Arab Bedouin and Jewish communities.
During the school year 2008 - 2009, 44 Jewish and Arab-Bedouin young men and women - recent high school graduates - are participating in the Jewish-Arab Year of Volunteerism. As we enter our 7th year, we have succeeded in doubling the number of participants in this important program.
The volunteers are working with Jewish and Bedouin children on diverse educational projects in Arab schools throughout the Negev iand in Jewish schools in Beer Sheva. This program is a cooperative endeavor of AJEEC's The Tent and the Scouts Movement. The volunteers work in mixed pairs – one Arab-Bedouin and one Jew - planning and running activities that include tutoring children in math and English, sports, computer literacy and more. Throughout the year, the group continues to receive professional supervision from The Tent's staff and to engage in activities and seminars geared to helping these young volunteers develop on the personal and professional levels
The volunteers undergo an intensive training program before and during their work in the community. Special emphasis is placed on consolidation of the group in bi-national encounters that include: personal and group empowerment, clarification of social identities, multi-cultural contact and relations between the majority and minorities within Israeli society. In addition, the volunteers receive pedagogical training and professional guidance preparing them for the task of tutoring school children and conducting after-school enrichment activities. One day weekly is devoted to in-service training, group workshops and planning. Volunteers work in mixed teams in schools and community centers.
The volunteers, who work in mixed teams in schools and community centers:
► Tutor math and Hebrew during school hours in Arab Bedouin primary schools. The volunteers conduct special civics workshops devoted to issues such as violence, prejudice, human rights and good citizenship.
► Teach spoken Arabic and familiarizing children with Arab Bedouin culture in Jewish primary schools in Beer Sheva.
► Provide after-school enrichment programs for children and youth: sports, drama, arts and crafts and other special interests, homework and study labs, social activities and scouting.
► Organize and lead joint social and sport events for Arab Bedouin and Jewish school-aged children.
►Organize special camp programs during the school breaks.
