Journey to the Heart: Compassionate Listening in Israel & Palestine
March 18 – March 28, 2012
Yael Petretti, Delegation leader, with assistance from Susanne Van Kimmenade

Registration is now open!

 

I have traveled to over 90 countries and been on a number of delegations with a particular interest in understanding the areas and the people I visit. The May 2010 Compassionate Listening Project delegation to Israel/Palestine was a profound personal experience. The insights I gained as I listened to the stories of everyone we met will stay with me all my life.
- Anne Tonks, May 2010

I could not have arranged or even imagined the opportunities the Compassionate Listening Project offered to learn about Israel/Palestine issues first-hand. We met with individuals and groups who broadened my awareness and touched my heart, people I likely never would have met on my own. The tour leaders knew the area and the people, and ensured a top-notch learning experience. The other participants were a broad range of folks, each of whom taught me something about myself and the world. All in all, a wonderful trip.
- Sharon Kahn, May 2010

The experience was amazing – eye-opening, mind-bending, and soul-shaking. I would recommend it heartily to anyone who really wants to experience, not just visit, the Holy Land.
- Robert Stall, May 2010

Compassionate Listening in conflict and post-conflict zones is based on a simple yet profound formula for the resolution of conflict: adversaries giving the gift of listening. To help reconcile conflicting parties, we must have the ability to understand the suffering of all sides.

On this basis, TCLP founder Leah Green began leading annual delegations to Israel and Palestine in 1990. Journeys begin in Jerusalem with an intensive training in Compassionate Listening. We then practice with a wide spectrum of Israelis and Palestinians – seeking the humanity of each person we encounter, while practicing our craft of listening and speaking from the heart. Through our daily practice in the field and our group sessions, participants come away with a deepened understanding of Compassionate Listening, a powerful skill set for peace-building in our families, communities, and in all conflict situations.

Yael Petretti is leading the 2012 delegation, her 4th delegation to Israel and Palestine with the Compassionate Listening Project. Yael has worked for over twenty years as a professional Israeli tour guide, facilitating encounters between her tourists and the various religious and ethnic groups who inhabit the land: Jews, Palestinian Muslims and Christians, Bedouin, and Druze. She is also a certified Compassionate Listening facilitator with several years of delegation and training experience (see Yael’s bio at the bottom of this page).

This trip was so profound in so many ways – I’ll be mining the depth of this experience for years to come.

I came on this trip because I thought it was an important thing to do. But I received the blessing of being a part of a 42-eared holy being…thank you!!

You have built an amazing program and mission. Your knowledge, passion and strength are so inspiring. I feel so blessed to have been a part of such an amazing journey.

Something changed in me profoundly because of our trip

Sample Itinerary, Press, Testimonials, Photo Gallery

Click here to view Leah Green’s blog from the 2010 May delegation to Israel and Palestine.

To watch a short video about our trainings and delegations, click here.

Each trip is unique. We seek out Israelis and Palestinians who are involved in cutting-edge reconciliation work or who can illuminate a particular aspect of the complexities on the ground. We also listen to a remarkably diverse cross-section of people in each community, as well as those who have suffered greatly from the conflict. Each trip is hand-crafted and balanced so participants’ time is divided between listening sessions, Compassionate Listening training and group reflection. Listening sessions take place in homes, villages, offices, and cities throughout Israel and Palestine. Participants also enjoy visits to off the beaten track ancient sites, as well as major tourist sites while en route.

Accommodations: We typically spend time in hotels in or near the Old City in Palestinian East Jerusalem, in homes/hotels in the West Bank, and in West Jerusalem. Each trip is unique – itineraries are available two to four weeks before each trip. Hotels and Guesthouses for the 2012 delegation include:
Ritz Hotel, Palestinian East Jerusalem
Everest Hotel, Beit Jala, West Bank
St. George’s Guest House, East Jerusalem
Optional overnight with a host family

Who Can Participate: Delegations are limited to 20 participants. We seek participants who have a genuine interest in the experience, hopes, dreams, and humanity of all Israelis and Palestinians. Our participants have come from every walk of life, and have ranged in age from 15 to 82 years of age. Couples and families are welcome. We welcome and honor participation of individuals from all nations and backgrounds. (The more diverse the participant group, the more powerful our experience has been). No prior experience with Compassionate Listening is necessary.

Orientation/training: We begin in Jerusalem with a day-long training in Compassionate Listening. Our group continues to meet on a regular basis throughout each trip to continue training, while reflecting on our experience and deepening in our understanding and practice of this powerful reconciliation tool. This delegation is designed as an experiential  training.

Project Support: This project is guided and supported by several Israeli and Palestinian leaders actively involved in reconciliation work. They assist with project development and with our daily itinerary. Some have an active role in our delegation.

Fundraising/Financial Assistance: Participants on each one of our trips successfully raise all of their trip expenses. We encourage participants to seek funding within their own communities. If you are a member of a synagogue, mosque, church, peace group, academic community, or other organization, we suggest that you seek sponsorship from your local community. This will allow a wider number of people to become invested in the project and supportive of your experience. You might consider working together on a fundraising event. We also encourage you to request support from your network of family and friends – people often express tremendous gratitude for giving them a meaningful way to make a difference in the world. (We can send you a sample fundraising letter.) Participants also use our film, Children of Abraham, for their fundraising efforts – successful with both private and public screenings.

Reservations: To secure your spot on the trip, please send your $400 deposit along with your completed trip registration form.

Payment: The cost for the next delegation to Israel and Palestine is $2,900. If you are interested in joining us for the additional tour of northern Israel, please email Yael. Airfare is additional and purchased separately. We accept payment by check and credit card (additional 3% for credit card payment). Unless other arrangements are made with the Compassionate Listening Project in advance, full trip payment is expected 90 days before the trip.

What Your Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations are based on double occupancy, with private bath and shower; breakfast and dinner daily; ground transportation; trip leaders; guides; tips and gratuity for hotels and driver; honoraria for Israeli and Palestinian speakers and hosts; and Compassionate Listening training. Single rooms are available for approximately $450 additional. If we are unable to provide a roommate, the single room supplement may apply. Your early registration increases our chances to find matches for those wanting a roommate.

Airfare: Participants purchase their own airfare and meet in Jerusalem. Sometimes we recommend a particular flight from the East Coast so those who want can travel together from the USA. We provide excellent directions to make your travel as easy as possible to our Jerusalem hotel.

Cancellations and Refunds
If you must cancel your trip, a cancellation fee will apply. Cancellations must be received in writing or by email. The following cancellation fees apply:

• 90 days or more: $400 will be retained;
• 30 – 90 days: 50% of the trip cost will be retained, unless you find someone to take your place; *
• Less than 30 days and “no-shows”: We’re sorry, but we cannot provide any refund in this case, due to the nonrefundable reservations we are locked into at this stage of the journey. *

No partial refunds will be granted for unused hotel rooms, meals, or other scheduled activities. Our trips are quoted as a package and credits are not given for unused portions.

If We Cancel a Trip: We reserve the right to cancel a trip due to dangerous political situations (which we’ve never had to do, up until this point), or if we do not receive a minimum of 17 registrations (we’ve never had to do this either, but you never know!). In such a case, we will refund your payments minus $200. If you have already purchased your ticket and we have to cancel the trip for any reason, airfare will be refunded according to the policy of the air carrier. For this reason, we recommend travelers insurance.

Travelers Insurance: We encourage participants to purchase travel insurance, which generally includes: trip cancellation, baggage, medical and/or emergency evacuation insurance. No one ever intends to cancel their trip; however, unforeseen circumstances can change travel plans. Baggage may be lost or damaged, and some medical insurance (including Medicare) will not provide coverage outside the U.S. For a modest price, protection can be provided for these and other concerns. You can compare policies on Squaremouth.com.

Delegation Leadership:

Yael Petretti

Yael has a BA degree in International Relations from UC Berkeley. She lives in Israel where she worked for over twenty years as a tourist guide, facilitating encounters between her tourists and the various religious and ethnic groups who inhabit the Middle East: Bedouins, Jewish settlers, Druze villagers, Palestinians and Christians. During an eight-year stay in the United States from 1999-2007, Yael served as Executive Director of Promoting Enduring Peace, Inc. and trained as a Compassionate Listening facilitator, earning her certification in June 2006. She is currently teaching introductory trainings in North America.

Susanne van Kimmenade

Susanne was born in West Germany, where she studied Christian Theology. In 1992 she became involved in intercultural peace work. Since 2007 she has lived with her Israeli partner and their daughter in the Galilee area of Israel. She founded the Intercultural Network in the Galilee, got involved in the initiative “Dharma and Activism” and works regularly as a guide in the Holocaust Museum, House of the Ghetto Fighters. She is trained in mediation, tools for Social Transformation in Conflict and has been involved with Compassionate Listening since 2003.

For information about other organizations that do peace-building work in Israel and Palestine, please see ALLMEP.