Arabic as a Cultural Bridge: A Three-Day Intensive | July 21...
Arabic as a Cultural Bridge: A Three-Day Intensive | July 21-23
Jul 21 - 23, 2020 12:00pm - 1:15pm
As prolonged social and physical distancing continues to limit in-person events and field visits, we are excited to share a unique opportunity coordinated by the New Israel Fund and The Abraham Initiatives to take part in an Arabic language and culture program normally reserved for key Israeli institutions and leadership.
Arab citizens, 21% of Israel’s population, are an important and sizable part of its social and economic strength. Due to separate Hebrew and Arabic public education streams, residential and occupational patterns, however, most Jews and Arabs have few opportunities for meaningful interaction, resulting in language, trust and awareness gaps. In recent years, more Israeli institutions have incorporated Arabic language and culture training to better serve, engage and represent Arab communities in their activities.
Combining language building skills with an opportunity to learn about Arab culture in Israel, the course provides a taste of the educational programming that creates bridges and closes gaps between Jewish and Arab communities in Israel.
Class Details:
Tuesday, July 21 - Thursday, July 23
9:00 AM Pacific / 12:00 PM Eastern
Each class will run for 1 hour and 15 minutes
Cost: $18 for three sessions
Presenter Bio
May Arow is the Director of The Abraham Initiatives' Language as a Cultural Bridge program. She develops and implements Arabic language courses as an entry point to Arab culture and society for influential groups of Israelis including Hebrew language media outlets, Israeli corporations institutions, higher education staff, and city council members. May also played a key role in the development of The Abraham Initiatives' Ya Salam Initiative, which trains and places Arab educators to teach spoken Arabic in Jewish schools and was adopted by the Ministry of Education in 2017. Outside of The Abraham Initiatives, May is a published children's book author, and has translated several others from English and Hebrew to Arabic. She also translates for Haaretz and regularly contributes op-eds that engage the Jewish public with Arab culture.
