Breaking the Ice:

A journey of self-discovery and empowerment for Jewish and Arab students

Sometimes you have to go very far to find out how similar we are.

This summer, in a setting far removed from local political tensions, 12 Jewish and Arab students from the University of Haifa will set out together to climb the Swiss Alps. After reaching the Swiss summit, what they will have achieved will extend far beyond their physical endurance.

“Our students share with us that the experience changed their stereotypes about race, nationality and religion,” explains Ulfat Haider, Head of the Breaking the Ice coexistence program. Before heading out for the trek, students take part in rigorous alpine training and team-building workshops.

“To reach the summit, climbers need to rely on everyone in the group. Essentially, it’s the teamwork that ‘breaks the ice,’ establishes trust and creates lasting bonds of friendship.” The unique program is sponsored by the Office

of the Dean of Students and Student Union of the University, in collaboration with the Swiss association Coexistences and Beit Hagefen Arab-Jewish Center in Haifa. Breaking the Ice enlists physical and mental strengths to facilitate openness and acceptance of others, expands interpersonal relationships, and generates a respectful dialogue.

After returning from the summer climb, students visit Jewish and Arab schools to discuss their experience and organize coexistence programs. “Each year our students come up with new ideas on how to bridge between their two communities,” adds Haider. “Following last year’s expedition, for example, the students organized an olive harvest festival, an event that brought together family members and friends. It was a great success.”

Described by participants as a ‘deeply intense experience,’ many have related that they emerged from the program with a different mindset than they had going in. “This project actually changed my political opinion,” acknowledges Tomer Ketter, an Israeli postgraduate student of geophysics. “I think it opens an entire other world to me.”

Breaking the Ice was initiated by Doron Erel, the first Israeli to climb Mount McKinley and Mount Everest, and Ulfat Haider, an Arab-Israeli alumnus of the

University of Haifa and certified Outward Bound instructor, currently serving as a Program Director at Beit-Hagefen.

The upcoming climb in August will mark the program’s 8th expedition.

For information about how you can support Breaking the Ice, please contact the Office of the Vice President for External Affairs and Resource Development. 

Expedition of Breaking the Ice on the way to the summit of Europe’s highest mountain.