Yehuda Bar Shalom

Intercultural encounters as a ‘Mind Body’ experience: a case study in Jerusalem

Abstract This study presents new techniques for teaching diversity, when dealing with the challenges of multicultural society. We present a course model, which incorporates methods that have been developed by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), and continue to disclose and analyse some of the reactions and evaluations we received from the participating students. Findings revealed that the CMBM techniques contributed considerably to the intercultural atmosphere. CMBM contributed in creating added value, in improving self-efficacy and in advancing similarity perceptions in intercultural communication. Moreover, CMBM developed greater trust and emotional support among group members, thus may contribute to reach the educational goals. This study advances composite theoretical accounts into a set of conclusions for bridging intercultural encounters challenges through mind–body techniques.

Israel: Innovations in Secular Schooling in Israel

In this chapter, we show how individual schools strive to create a model for the restoration and healing of Israeli society, each within its special cultural context. The Kedma School focuses on empowering the marginalized Mizrahi student group, the Bialik School restores respect for and gives social legitimacy to the children of migrant workers, the Mofet School answers to the needs of Soviet immigrant students, the Keshet School seeks to repair the secular/religious rift in Israel, and Neve Shalom aims at bridging between Jewish and Arab identities. As we demonstrate, these innovations are creating change in the structures and meaning of Jewish secular education in Israel.