Rachel Szor studied at the Arava Institute in 2017 and is currently studying at the University of Haifa. She grew up participating in the youth peace-building movement CISV, which has taken her to Norway and France to participate in youth conferences with participants from around the world. Rachel did a year of community service as a youth leader in Nazareth before completing her service in the IDF from 2013-2016. In addition to her studies, she currently works as a tour guide in an Arab-Jewish community center, is completing a course in medical clowning, and is involved with the Women Wage Peace movement.
Mahmood Al Ramahi received his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Al Balqa’ Applied University in Jordan in 2013, and recently received his M.Sc in Hydrology and Water Quality from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. He studied at the Arava Institute from 2013-2014. Mahmood has worked with experts from Israel, Palestine, and Jordan on a USAID project aimed at addressing the need for sustainable fuel sources in Bedouin villages. He also co-founded “Leaves of Canaan,” an organization that aims to empower Arab women through creating job opportunities for women in Israel and Palestine. Mahmood is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Science at the University of Szeged, Hungary.
The Dialogue Project
Beyond Borders: Environmental Cooperation in Israel and Palestine
From January – March 2018, Arava Institute alumni will be visiting universities and communities throughout the United States. They will speak about their experiences growing up in Israeli and Palestinian families, their decision to study environmental cooperation together at the Arava Institute, and answer any questions raised by members of your community.
The itinerary below is subject to change. Please contact Ari with questions about individual visits or events.
The Friends of the Arava Institute will also be hosting an alumni tour in fall 2018. Please contact Ari to book a date during the fall tour!
The Dialogue Project: Winter 2018
Meet Rachel and Mahmood Meet Ashraf and Noa
January 26-29: Toronto, Ontario February 20: Eugene, OR
January 31: Oneonta, NY February 21: Corvallis, OR
February 1: Albany, NY February 22: Davis, CA
February 2: Poughkeepsie, NY February 24: San Diego, CA
February 4-5: Philadelphia, PA February 25: San Francisco, CA
February 6: Madison, WI February 26-27: Colorado
February 7: Chicago, IL February 28 – March 1: Fort Worth, Texas
February 8-11: Atlanta, GA March 2-3: Austin, Texas
The Dialogue Project in the News
“Arava Brings Stories of Coexistence to Athens,” The Atlanta Jewish Times, February 15, 2018
“Amidst hostility of Israel-Palestinian conflict, environmental concerns transcend borders, speakers say,” The Badger Herald (University of Wisconsin, Madison), February 6, 2018
“Arava Institute Alumni Discuss Israel-Palestine Conflict,” The Dickinsonian (Dickinson College), October 26, 2017
“Israeli, Palestinian visit MSU to discuss conflict, encourage cooperation,” The State News (Michigan State University), October 24, 2017
“Israelis and Palestinian find common ground in the environment,” Pitt News (University of Pittsburgh), October 20, 2017
“Speakers discuss Israeli-Palestinian environmental cooperation at Lunch & Learn,” Tufts Daily News (Tufts University), October 13, 2017
“Former students of Israel’s environmental Arava Institute visit CU Boulder, promote peace,” CU Independent (University of Colorado, Boulder), January 31, 2017
“Environmentalists talk societal relations amidst Middle East conflict,” BU Pipe Dream (Binghamton University), September 16, 2016
Ashraf Akram was born to a Palestinian family in Jerusalem and currently lives in Dura, south of Hebron. He is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of YallaTalk, a platform that helps language learners practice with native speakers. He serves as program director for the Center for Conciliation and conducts social & environmental crisis management trainings in Jericho. He studied at the Arava Institute in 2016 after receiving his B.A. in Economics from Al-Quds University in Jerusalem. Ashraf has participated in multiple programs on Israeli-Palestinian dialogue initiatives in the United States, including Our Generation Speaks in Waltham, Mass., and New Story Leadership in Washington, D.C.
Noa Gluskinos was born to an Israeli family in Kiryat Ono and studied at the Arava Institute in 2015. She completed national service as a school Counselor for Environmental Education, where she helped to set up a vegetable garden and create a process for reuse and recycling in the community. Noa has been involved with sustainable development initiatives in Mexico, Kenya, and Uganda over the course of her young career. She also worked at the Dead-Sea & Arava Science Center as a project coordinator in the Department for Environmental Regional Cooperation on projects involving Jordanians, Palestinians, and Israelis in the south of Israel. Noa is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in African Studies and Middle Eastern Studies at Ben Gurion University of the Negev.