“The Israeli Palestinian Conflict:  Understanding Both Sides”
Dialogue between students a Bar Ilan University and Al Quds University
International University Pilot Project Update 12/14/09

Mission
We, at Educational Solutions, believe new educational models are needed to counteract polarization in today's world.  The mission of Educational Solutions (ES) is to enrich traditional learning by providing balanced information and forums for university students to learn about and discuss challenging issues that divide communities and nations. 

History of ES development of a balanced university curriculum on the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
Over the last seven, ES founders Judith Jensen and Susan Luxton developed a 420-page PowerPoint curriculum on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  At each stage of development, ES sought expert review of the material and made revisions to ensure acceptability by both sides.

2004 To test material during the initial stages, ES made over 40 presentations to synagogues, mosques, churches, and academic conferences.  Some 30 experts critiqued parts of the curriculum for balance and accuracy.  ES, with the help of Rabbi Sheldon Lewis of Palo Alto's Kol Emeth Synagogue and Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, former Secretary General of the Islamic Society of North America and now ISNA’s National Director for the Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances, convened a study group in San Francisco to review the curriculum.  Jewish participants included Rabbi Sheldon Lewis, Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, Dr. Len and Libby Traubman, Dr. Carol Winograd, Dr. Allan Solomonow, and Anat Harrel.  Muslim participants included Souleiman Ghali, Iftekhar Hai, Shafi Refai, and Mohamad Rajabally.  Elias Botto provided a Christian Palestinian perspective.  ES made extensive revisions and additions based on reviewers' comments.

2005 and 2006 ES successfully tested the curriculum in two Internet dialogues between classes at the Oregon Institute of Technology, USA, and the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.  Revisions were made based on student and professor comments.

2007-2008 ES felt prepared to approach experts in Israel and the West Bank and sent out the curriculum to Israeli and Palestinian professors to assure balance, accuracy and acceptance in the region.  The Israeli professors included Gerald Steinberg and Ben Molov of Bar-Ilan University and Elie Podeh and Ruth Firer of Hebrew University.  Palestinian professors included  Mohammad Dajani of Al Quds University, Faisal Azaiza of Haifa University, and Nidal Jayousi who has taught at Al Quds Open University.

2008-2009 Stanford professors Carol and Terry Winograd provided seed money for development of the pilot between the West Bank’s Al Quds University and Israel’s Bar-Ilan University.  Professor Ben Mollov of Bar-Ilan and Professor Mohammad Dajani of Al Quds were both members of our 2007 review committee.  The May 2009 pilot yielded useful student comments. The most significant outcome was that, with few exceptions, students on both sides accepted the curriculum as fair.