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The following excerpt is from an article first published by the Jewish Journal [2] newspaper.

Debbie Nathan believes art can help build understanding between Israeli and Palestinian youth.

The Swampscott-based art therapist has founded Artsbridge, a non-profit organization committed to fostering a relationship between neighboring groups that for generations have perceived each other as the enemy.

This summer (2008), Nathan hopes to bring 30 Israeli and Palestinian teens to bucolic Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. Using art as the icebreaker, she and a team of dedicated professionals will try to initiate meaningful dialogue as the high school students collaborate on projects that require cooperation and teamwork.

By fusing therapeutic techniques with the artistic process, Artsbridge faculty will help participants work through personal traumas they may have experienced living in a war-torn region.

However, the ultimate goal is to teach these young people that opposing groups can create a shared vision that might eventually lead to peaceful co-existence.

Nathan stresses that Artsbridge is not a peace camp, and is not even about peace per se.

"It is about dialogue. It is about giving Israeli and Palestinian youth the opportunity to see each other as human beings, and not as faceless enemies," she said.

The three-week camp program is scheduled to run from July 20 through August 10. When the youths return to their Middle East homes, the initiatives begun in Beverly will be supported by already-established satellite programs in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

"We have partnered with other fabulous organizations that are committed to working towards moderation and co-existence, including Bet Hagefen in Haifa, the Jerusalem International YMCA in Jerusalem, Nevey Shalom in Latroon, the Palestinian Peace Coalition in Ramallah, and Hope Flowers School in Bethlehem," Nathan said.

The goal is for Artsbridge alumnae to become mentors to younger children at the satellite programs, who, in turn, can apply to participate in the Beverly summer camp when they become 17 or 18.

The projection is that within five years, 150 youths will attend the summer camp, and up to 1,000 Israeli and Palestinian youths will participate in the satellite operations.

The idea of bringing Israeli and Palestinian teens together has been explored before - with modest degrees of success. Palestinian-born Yousef Al Ajarma, Artsbridge camp director, believes this project will succeed because of the art component.

"People love to do art because it is non-threatening," said Al Ajarma, who has lived in Cambridge for the past four years and is pursuing a Ph.D. in expressive art therapy at Lesley University.

Al Ajarma, 33, and Nathan, 50, met in 2006 when they were presenting at a Lesley University-sponsored conference in Israel. (Nathan holds a master's degree in art therapy from the university.)

While in Israel, Nathan wanted to go into Palestinian territory to explore contacts for Artsbridge, which was a seed of an idea. Al Ajarma arranged to have his brother accompany her.

"I grew up in the Aida refugee camp outside of Bethlehem. Before the first Intifada, there were no borders or checkpoints. I studied for 10 years in Jerusalem, and had no problems traveling there from Bethlehem. Now it is much more difficult," said Al Ajarma, who is fluent in Arabic and English, and understands Hebrew.

Although it would be logistically easier to structure the Artsbridge program in Israel, security issues at the border make it difficult for the Palestinian youths to participate. Nathan ultimately concluded that it would be better to bring the youths to a beautiful and semi-isolated campus in the United States where the process could unfold in a safe environment.

Nathan and Al Ajarma agree that Israeli and Palestinian youth would most likely never have the opportunity for constructive interaction in Israel.

"These young people have never met their counterparts, and they each hold stereotyped ideas of each other. With no contact, they become radicalized. We want to show that there are options besides violence. My hope is that we can connect with the youths, give them voice and hope, and empower them to make a difference in their communities," Nathan said.

Nathan believes Artsbridge's ambitious program will succeed where others have failed because of its psychological, therapeutic and creative components.

"It's an art process, but also a dialogic process. The students will learn to listen to each other and respond, and will examine how they resolve difficulties," she said.

As executive director of the organization, she has put together a vibrant and active board, and has assembled a diverse and well-seasoned staff to run the summer camp.

Tarek El Heneidy is a Muslim peace activist who serves on the Artsbridge board.

"I hope that Artsbridge can be a beacon of hope for youngsters in Palestine and Israel. [That is why] I decided to become part of this effort to bring Palestinians and Israelis closer together in dialogue, understanding and camaraderie - with the common ingredient of art as the glue that can hold the newly-developed relationships together," he said.

The lofty project comes with a lofty price tag, and Artsbridge is desperately striving to meet the financial challenge. Nathan estimates that will cost approximately $5,000 per student for the camp.

Ideally, she would like to invite 15 Israeli and 15 Palestinian students to participate. That will run $150,000. Financing the accompanying satellite programs in Israel and the territories will drive the price tag up even higher.

Thus far, the non-profit has raised $40,000. If she can't raise the necessary funds, Nathan admits that she will be forced to scale back the program. She is optimistic, however, that donors will step forward.

"We are looking for people with vision to help. Many people want to support Israel, but are less enthusiastic about supporting Palestinians. They must understand that without cross-border work, there is no hope," Nathan said.

She shared the following story: "I was in Israel in January. A 15-year-old Palestinian named Mohammed had heard about this initiative and called me numerous times to say he wanted to participate. When he couldn't reach me on my cell phone, he literally walked across the city of Ramallah to beg me to accept him to the program. I can't imagine telling kids like Mohammed that we can't do this. I'm not giving up - I need to find a way to make this happen," Nathan vowed.

For more information on Artsbridge or to make a donation, visit www.artsbridgecamp.org [3].

Source: JewishJournal.org [4]

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