Artsbridge participants (L-R) Daniella Slonin, Hadar Weisman and Lana Handal chatted Monday in Gabelli Hall during the first day of the program. Artsbridge uses art-related activities as a basis for dialogue between young Israelis and Palestinians. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini)
Program for Israeli-Palestinian Youths Returns to Boston College
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The journey to Boston College earlier this week was a homecoming of sorts for Amir Alkalak and Kerem Bairey Ben Ishay, even though they both live thousands of miles away.The two are peer counselors for Artsbridge, a three-week program that brings together young Israelis and Palestinians through art activities in an effort to spark dialogue and understanding. This is the second year BC has served as the host site for the three-year-old Swampscott-based non-profit organization, which this year has 30 participants aged 15-17 years old from Israel and the West Bank.
Alkalak, 18, and Ishay, 17, say their previous experiences at Artsbridge -- Alkalak attended last year's program, Ishay the first, held in 2008 at Endicott College -- inspired them to return (both were nominated for peer counselors by their fellow participants). The two also have talked about Artsbridge and its mission with various members of their community.
"Artsbridge changed me -- I came back because it's important," said Alkalak, who like Ishay is from the village of Neve Shalom. "It was challenging, because I had to think about and discuss a lot of things I hadn't really thought about before. Now I want to help others experience what I did."
"Artsbridge was amazing," said Ishay. "I learned so much about myself, and the program changed the way I look at the situation back and the political issues surrounding it."
The Israeli and Palestinian youths are paired in teams as they create art projects and join in other activities, and will present an exhibition of their works during a campus reception on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Robsham Theater's Bonn Studio that will be open to the public.
Artsbridge integrates a special form of dialogue in combination with the art-making process, where students reflect on what they have heard and become more aware of how they ask questions and how their answers affect those around them. The model also encourages curiosity as a basis for questions, as opposed to preconceived convictions and stereotypes.
"Philosophically, BC is a great place for Artsbridge to be," said the program's founder, artist and art therapist Deborah Nathan. "The support we've received has been tremendous. We're looking forward to another great time here."
In addition to working on painting, drawing, sculpture and film projects in BC facilities, said Nathan, Artsbridge participants this year will take part in a mime workshop led by Robsham Theater Arts Center Associate Director Sheppard Barnett.
"These are very dynamic young people here, who really want to make a difference," said Nathan, who interviews all applicants for Artsbridge. "We set the tone at orientation, so that they understand the concept of being a team, and working together even under tense or stressful situations."
For more information on Artsbridge, see www.artsbridgeinstitute.org. The Chronicle YouTube channel www.youtube.com/bcchronicle includes two short videos about last year's program.