In the framework of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Givat Haviva, we turned to artists in various fields of the arts around the world, to send us their personal “Greeting of Peace” on a postcard. The artists from all religions were asked to react by word, line, color, musical notes or any other artistic method. Over 900 peace seeking artists from around the world participated. All the postcards which were received were displayed (one postcard per artists). The exhibit was mounted in various locations around Switzerland. A portion of the exhibit is on permanent display at the Arts Center. Drishat Shalom provides a strong social message for a better world.

A unique project which brought together Jewish and Arab youth by means of carving symbols of peace on an immense tree trunk. At the heart of the idea was the understanding that art can bring people closer, bridge gaps and create cooperation – a seed of hope for future generations. At the conclusion of the carving the young boys and girls left with strong feelings and have since met a number of times on their own initiative. The tree trunk was raised at the center of the Givat Haviva campus. The project took place in cooperation with the Menashe Regional Council.

This unique project was created after the terror attack, out of a desire to renew the good neighborly relations between the children. The project brought together young children in grades 4-6 from Metzer and Meiser. The program was based on 8 meetings during the year in the afternoons, and a one-week summer camp in August. The project took place in cooperation with the Menashe Regional Council.

The Through Others’ Eyes project deals with meetings between Arab and Jewish youth who live in the Wadi ‘Ara region, by means of photography. The project brings together youth from the two sectors and creates direct personal contacts between them, exposes them to the subject of coexistence and questions of identity, through the techniques of photography. The highlight of the project is visits and photographing at the homes of all the participants, and a concluding exhibit at the end of the year. The project takes place during the school year and the parents are partners in the process.

A Through Others’ Eyes – Women project has begun recently. This project brings together Arab and Jewish women from the Wadi ‘Ara region.

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The Language of the Land is a unique educational project dealing with encounters between Jewish and Arab youth through the arts. Art in all its forms is a direct tool for bridging gaps and cultures and bringing people closer together by means of joint activity.

This is a unique sculpture project where the youth created an Arab-Jewish meetinghouse out of earth. Land is a key issue – on the one hand a subject of disagreement and on the other hand comprising a connection and good means of fostering dialogue.

The project took place in cooperation with MATAN.