The Middle East Peace Process is alive and well in the hands of School Principal Mohammad Kundos, his colleagues, students and their parents. While governments are sputtering along trying to bring an end to hatred among conflicting factions, Mohammad Kundos, a Muslim from a religious family spends his days at Hand In Hand school fostering understanding, love and friendship between Israeli Muslims and Jews.
Hand In Hand began with one elementary school with a student body of 50% Jews and 50% Muslims. Within the academic curriculum, students learn both languages, celebrate Muslim and Jewish holidays, care for the wellbeing of each other, and, in short, grow up together hand in hand. Best friendship knows no religious bounds.
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Every time a new campus opened its doors, it filled up immediately and as immediately grew a long waiting list. There are now 6 Hand In Hand schools throughout Israel with thousands of Jewish and Arab students aged 3 to 18. Hand In Hand is Israel’s fastest growing integrated social movement because of the growing number of Jews, Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians who do not want their children to live in a society of fear and violence.
Hand In Hand began with one elementary school with a student body of 50% Jews and 50% Muslims. Within the academic curriculum, students learn both languages, celebrate Muslim and Jewish holidays, care for the wellbeing of each other, and, in short, grow up together hand in hand. Best friendship knows no religious bounds.
Every time a new campus opened its doors, it filled up immediately and as immediately grew a long waiting list. There are now 6 Hand In Hand schools throughout Israel with thousands of Jewish and Arab students aged 3 to 18. Hand In Hand is Israel’s fastest growing integrated social movement because of the growing number of Jews, Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians who do not want their children to live in a society of fear and violence.
Mohammad came to this post with an education, including a MA in Film from Brandeis University and experience in theater that could have led him anywhere in film production or as a leader number of other fields, but he went home. To Israel. To change a world that was crying out for peace and safety. Mohammad talks about his life and his work and the difference his students will make in this world in the years to come.
Love letters? Of course. Is there a place for love and friendship letters between his students? You bet! What could be done with those letters long term as a model for what can be? Come take a look and see.
Mohammad came to this post with an education, including a MA in Film from Brandeis University and experience in theater that could have led him anywhere in film production or as a leader number of other fields, but he went home. To Israel. To change a world that was crying out for peace and safety. Mohammad talks about his life and his work and the difference his students will make in this world in the years to come. You can see the determination in his eyes!
Love letters? Of course. Is there a place for love and friendship letters between his students? You bet! What could be done with those letters long term as a model for what can be? Come take a look and see.