PLANS FOR SUMMER INSTITUTES: Summer 2021 is a go!

JPB’s commitment to, and passion for, peacebuilding will not be de-railed! Locations for all JPB Summer Institutes in the Holy Lands have been secured, applications are arriving, and potential staff facilitators are being recruited and interviewed. Despite the numerous and varied uncertainties and impediments arising from COVID-19, the increased emotional and logistical demands of an already challenging teaching workload, rising tensions resulting from isolation and lock-downs, the JPB staff persevered and worked faithfully and diligently to ensure the continuation of the mission that is so dear to them.

Collectively, the five summer programs will consist of 100+ youth and adult participants plus staff. Continuing JPB’s standard practice, the groups will be composed of Americans, Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and Alawi.

Two locations have been secured that will both facilitate JPB’s approach to in-person engagement and that meet JPB’s standards of health and safety. These locations, St. George’s College Jerusalem (SGC), and the Eastern Mediterranean International School (EMIS), are both well suited to JPB’s mission.

SGC, a long-time friend of JPB, is the Anglican study pilgrimage center in Jerusalem, and is located in East Jerusalem, approximately a 10-minute walk from the Old City. The College, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020, is part of the complex that includes St. George's Cathedral, St George’s School, the Pilgrim Guest House, and the offices of the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem. The facilities consist of a modern, three-story building that can house up to 40 residential guests. It has sleeping rooms, “smart” classrooms, common rooms, a rooftop recreational area, and lovely gardens.

EMIS, which was established in 2014, is an international boarding school. EMIS’ mission statement is, "making education a force for peace and sustainability in the Middle East." The school is located just minutes from Tel Aviv. EMIS is part of the Hakfar-Hayarok (Hebrew for “Green Village”), an educational campus, a premier environmental leadership school and a youth village. Hakfar-Hayarok provides a rich learning environment while allowing direct contact with outside Israeli and Palestinian communities. The village has extensive educational, athletic, music and arts facilities.