Roots/Shorashim/Judur is an Israeli-Palestinian grassroots initiative for understanding, nonviolence and transformation based in Judea & Samaria/the West Bank – is a unique network of local Palestinians and Israelis who have come to see each other as the partners we both need to make changes to end our conflict.
Speakers: Rabbi Ariel Shalem and his Palestinian partner Noor A'wad
Rabbi Ariel Shalem born in Los Angeles.
Received a B.A. in English Lit. at Bar Ilan University.
In a combat unit in the IDF, got married to Yarden and has 5 children.
After 5 years returned to USA and was spiritual co-ordinator, teacher and Rebbi at the Southern California Yeshiva High school in San Diego.
4 years later returned to Israel and received at M.A. of Education at Beit Berl College.
Noor’s family moved from Amman, Jordan to Beit Sahour following the signing of the Oslo Accords. There, he began thinking about his identity as a Palestinian refugee. While studying to become a tour guide, Noor travelled to Israel and for the first time saw Israelis beyond the frame of “occupying soldiers.” In 2012, Noor was licensed by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism. After meeting Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Ali Abu Awwad in 2016, Noor joined Roots, where he currently organizes joint Palestinian-Israeli activities and speaks to visiting groups about his personal experiences living through the conflict as a Palestinian who has seen much tragedy, and in such conditions is motivated to work toward a political solution. Noor resides in Bethlehem today, where he guides English-speakers on geopolitical tours of the region.
ESRA members NIS 35 | Non members NIS 45
