Last week TalkMatters held a Zoom meeting with Mohammed Fahili and Clare King Lassman from the Akko Arab-Jewish Community Centre. I am sure that those who were able to join us will agree that Fahili and Clare are inspiring speakers.
By sharing their personal stories, we began to understand what it is like to live in a mixed Arab-Jewish town. Fahili explained the story behind the story of the recent inter-communal tensions in Akko. Clare explained the importance of bi-cultural education and we discussed the significance of learning both Arabic and Hebrew.
Despite all the difficulties, Clare and Fahili offered us a glimmer of hope as we learnt about the steady growth of the Akko initiative. An initiative that brings the two peoples together in a social and political reality based on mutual recognition and respect.
The webinar received excellent feedback…
Attendees of last week’s webinar have been in touch to say:
- Terrific ‘Talk Matters’ session last Wed, I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next one.
- Thank you so much – we heard two great talks plus a stimulating question and answer session with Fahili and Clare
- Both Mohammed Fahili and Clare King Lassman were brilliant. Fahili’s back story was remarkable and inspirational, someone should make a film about his journey/life story.
For almost 30 years, the Sir Charles Clore Jewish-Arab Community Center has been providing high-quality, low-cost services to the mixed population of Akko. People of all ages and all backgrounds get to know each other. Children learn and play together, all equal and all welcomed. As they grow up, they do not fear ‘the other’, but appreciate the opportunities that living in a mixed city offers. As a grass-roots project, it bucks the trend by bringing different communities together in a safe and loving way.
The Akko initiative’s own website is at www.ajcenter.org.il
