Tell us whyyour mom deserves to win a diamond from Tapper's Jewelry. were more involved in the prac- all are able to speak it fluently.) Although those living inside ticalities of establishing such a community." The main problems Neve Shalom are split evenly be- were, and have been, lack of tween Jews and Arabs, two- funding, resources, and, initial- thirds of the pupils come from outside the community, mostly ly, lack of experience. "When we started, we believed Arab villages. Mr. Najjar says that because only in our self-confidence, and we learned what we know now of inferior funding, the standard only from our mistakes and dai- of Arab schools suffers in com- ly experiences," Mr. Najjar says. parison with their Jewish coun- Nonetheless, the community has terparts. Therefore, many Arab expanded, with 33 families now parents want to send their chil- dren to the comparatively well- living in Neve Shalom. Apart from the dumia, there funded schools of Neve Shalom. However, in Neve Shalom is a nursery, a kindergarten and an elementary school with a to- school education stops at the age tal of 107 children, a guest house of 14, and youth then are bused and a youth hostel. There is also to respective Jewish and Arab a flourishing School for Peace, es- schools. The community would tablished when community like to establish a middle and members started bringing their high school to take the children ideas to the outside world and ar- to the bagrut (matriculation ex- ranging for groups of Jews and Palestinians, mainly youngsters, to get to know each other. "Our work is most- ly educational, dealing with the Jewish-Pales- tinian conflict, and helping participants become aware of its dy- namics," Mr. Najjar ex- plains. "Dynamics," as well as "conflict," are words Mr Najjar often uses. Mr. Najjar sees both cultural and national By "dynamics," he differences. means the realities of two groups living in a majority- ams), but their resources are in- minority situation, and he stress- adequate. The Ministry of es the importance of acquiring Education, Mr. Najjar claims, the tools to express oneself and has not been overly sympathet- his emotions and ideas, as well ic to the ideals of peaceful coex- as how to listen to and under- istence and does not consider this stand the other side, even if you kind of work a national priori- don't agree. ty. "What is essential," Mr Najjar Mr. Najjar, 43, was born and says, "is what you can do with grew up in Arabe, near these diversities [another word Nazareth, in a strict Muslim he likes to use a lot] and how family. Before studying agricul- groups as well as individuals can ture at the Hebrew University of try and take responsibility for Jerusalem, his only image of the situation." Jews was as soldiers, policemen What is unique about this and tax officials. He says his community is that it's truly bi- daughter Shireen, now studying national, bi-lingual and tri-reli- for her bagrut at an Arab school gious. Mr. Najjar never says just in Ramle, points out to him that "Neve Shalom," which in English he still has stereotypical views of translates as Oasis of Peace, but Jews and speaks in a prejudiced will automatically add "Wahat manner. "She grew up here, and is al-Salam." Judaism, Islam and Christianity are held to be equal- stronger and more self-confi- ly important, but none of the dent," he says. He believes in the two groups community is deeply religious, and the religions are largely living in diversity because there taught in an educational frame- is no other choice. work as part of one's cultural "Palestinians and Jews will al- ways live here, but we must rec- identity. In the kindergarten and ele- ognize we are not only culturally mentary school, an Arab teacher different but also nationally we will speak to the children in Ara- have different experiences. bic, a Jewish teacher in Hebrew. Everyone here opposes violence Even so, because Hebrew is the as a means of dealing with the majority language in Israel the conflict, but we have different lingua franca among the chil- emotional reactions and these dren is Hebrew, which is part of are not always rational." Although frictions and argu- the majority-minority dynamics about which Mr. Najjar was ex- ments in the community are not postulating. (Jewish children of- necessarily between Palestinian ten know Arabic perfectly as far as reading and writing, but not PEACE page 138 Kids 14 and under, here's your chance to tell the world, in 100 words or less, just how great your mom really is! (Pre-schoolers can send a drawing.) If yours is one of the _entries chosen in our random drawing, you'll win beautiful diamond jewelry from Tapper's. All mother's entered will receive a five gift from Ppper's There are lots of valuable prizes to be won so bring your entry to Tapper's by Saturday, May 3 and fill out an entry blank. Or, you can mail your essay or drawing with the entry blank below to Tapper's at 6337 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Winners will be drawn randomly from all entries recieved by deadline. One entry per child. ATTACH ENTRY BLANK TO ESSAY OR DRAWING CHILD'S NAME MOTHER'S NAME ADDRESS ZIP CITY DAYTIME PHONE L 800-337-GIFT 810-932-7700 Diamonds eg- Fine Jewelry Orchard Mall . Orchard Lake Road at Maple Road . West Bloomfield, MI 48322 #1 IN BUICK SALES AL HARRIS THIVIBROFF NOW 810-348-0090 • 48700 GrandRiver LIVONIA 313-522-9200 • 29500 W. 6 Mile Road 28585 Telegraph Rd. BIRMINGHAM 353-1300 810-6444919 • 690 S. Woodward Completely Casual for Over 50 Years! 13