The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism

The Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism aim to strengthen Israel's democracy - and collective community - by connecting Israelis to Judaism grounded in liberty, equality, social justice, and pluralism.  The Daniel Centers work to promote co-existence, tolerance and cooperation between Arabs and Jews in Jaffa through a variety of programs in the fields of education, economic development, and community-building. The premium "Tikkun Olam" Masa program launched in 2009 with BINA and The URJ (the Reform movement in North America) provides a co-existence track for post-college men and women: Young Jews from around the world live in Jaffa, and volunteer to build understanding between Jews and Arabs in this diverse community. In 2013 the Daniel Centers founded, in collaboration with the Arab-Jewish Theater of Jaffa, a program called "Made in Jaffa" that promotes cooperation and understanding amongst Jaffa's Arab and Jewish teens through the art of theater and drama while putting together a play and building the teens' leadership skills. In addition,  “Side-by-Side” tours in Jaffa which thousands have taken part in are led by Arab and Jewish guides where each provides his/her own personal narrative relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Looking at what has been accomplished to date,  the Daniel Centers’ most important achievement has been the establishment of a close relationship between its Clergy leadership and   Arab Muslim and Christian leadership in Jaffa and the work to bring  communities together in dialogue and celebration of special Arab and Jewish events and holidays. Going forward, the Daniel Centers  plan to expand their work in the field with the growth of  existing programs and the birth of new initiatives. Friends of the Daniel Centers is the US based non-profit which seeks to help the Daniel Centers to achieve its objectives.