On 15 January 2025, ECRG hosted Dr Roi Silberberg, Director of School for Peace – Wahat al-Salom – Neve Shalom, for a research seminar. In the seminar, he explained the School for Peace (SFP) approach to fostering dialogue between Jews and Palestinians during conflict. Rooted in social justice pedagogy, this method emphasizes identity exploration, power dynamics, and critical thinking to build understanding and inspire action.
Highlighting wartime initiatives, Dr Silberberg demonstrated how education is challenging structural inequities, understanding “the other,” and promote reconciliation. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, he offered insights into applying dialogic frameworks in education to address global conflicts and foster sustainable peace.
Here is an e-dialogue between Dr Silberberg and ECRG’s Professor Alpesh Maisuria.
Alpesh: How and why did the School for Peace begin? How has it changed during its existence?
Roi: The School for Peace began in the 1970s on a barren hill granted by the Latrun Monastery. It originated from a vision of interfaith dialogue by Bruno Hussar, an Egyptian monk born Jewish. However, the young people who gathered there found a deeper connection in discussing national identity rather than religion, leading to the establishment of Palestinian-Jewish dialogue groups. As a few families settled on the hill, the intentional community of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam was born. Over time, the School for Peace expanded its reach, training over 60,000 participants, including youth and adult change agents, to foster mutual understanding and tackle shared challenges.
Alpesh: Can you give an example what topics you cover in the workshops?
Roi: Discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict often evoke intense emotions, making the topic both deeply significant and highly sensitive. In many contexts, these conversations are fraught with tension, as individuals fear using the wrong words, offending others, or being misunderstood. Recognizing these challenges, the School for Peace (SFP) has developed a pioneering Terminology Workshop to help participants navigate this complex terrain with confidence and sensitivity. The workshop focuses on how language shapes our understanding and framing of the conflict. Participants explore a curated list of terms such as “occupation,” “conflict,” “apartheid,” and “colonization.” These words are examined for their power dynamics, historical and legal connotations, and the contexts in which they are used. Attendees engage in structured dialogue to consider how and why they might choose certain terms, gaining insight into the underlying narratives and tensions these words evoke. The aim is to create spaces where participants can articulate their views in a way that fosters dialogue rather than division.
Alpesh: What influence do you think the school can have on the current conflict last year?
Roi: The current war underscores the necessity of SFP’s mission. By fostering dialogue and addressing structural inequalities, the SFP creates spaces where both Jews and Palestinians can process their pain and work collaboratively. Recent wartime initiatives involved facilitating communication in polarized institutions and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza through partnerships. SFP’s approach, rooted in tackling oppression and enabling dialogue even in times of heightened tension, positions it as a unique player in promoting long-term coexistence and understanding.
Alpesh: Does the school have any external influences – pedagogical or political?
Roi: The School for Peace draws inspiration from global peace education theories and the works of critical pedagogists like Paulo Freire and Bell Hooks, emphasizing empowerment, transformation, and critical thinking. These approaches include a sensitivity to gender dynamics, addressing how intersecting identities influence dialogue and conflict resolution. Politically, while the school operates independently, it inevitably engages with the realities of inequality and systemic discrimination central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its partnerships with international and local organizations further integrate diverse perspectives, from environmental justice to social equity.
Alpesh: How is the school supported financially?
Roi: The School for Peace is supported through a combination of funding sources, including Friends Associations of Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom, which operate worldwide, with an active branch in the UK. It also receives contributions from international foundations and generates income by offering facilitation services and consultations to other organizations and institutions. Grants, donations, and partnerships with educational and civic bodies further bolster its financial sustainability. Socially, the school benefits from the Neve Shalom community, which provides steadfast support and embodies the values of coexistence. The alumni network extends its influence, as graduates often continue peacebuilding in their respective fields. However, the polarized political climate can challenge the school’s bi-national framework and mission.
Alpesh: Thank you and the very of best of luck in your honourable mission to bring justice, peace and equality in the country and the region.
Roi: Thank you Alpesh, and please let others know about our work.
More information
- Wahat al-Salam – Neve Shalom (pronounced “waaḥat’ as-salaam/nevei shalom”), Arabic and Hebrew for Oasis of Peace, is an intentional community of Palestinian and Jewish citizens of Israel dedicated to justice, peace and equality in the country and the region.
- The Neve Shalom Educational Institutions were founded by community members in 1984. These institutions, based on the village’s ideals, work to create the conditions for positive social change.
- For more information, visit the SFP website.
