2 August 2010

Artsbridge Profile: Peer Mentor Amir

Posted under: Other .

Amir Alkalak, 2010 Peer Mentor, demonstrates one of the many magic tricks up his sleeve.

Amir Alkalak participated in Artsbridge in 2009, and has returned to Artsbridge this year to serve as a peer mentor. On October 1st, Amir will be flying to Germany to begin his studies in dental medicine, after which he hopes to open a dental practice in his home community in Israel.

How has your experience as a staff member differed from your experience as a participant?

When you are a staff member, you have much more responsibility, and you have to find your place between being a good friend of the participants and also a leader of the group. It was difficult at first, but I’ve learned to strike the right balance. Because I’ve been a participant, I know the needs of the group—I know what it’s like to be in their place, and thus how to act and how to help.

Is that desire to help guide the next class of participants what motivated you to return to Artsbridge?

Above all, I really want to help this organization to continue running. Artsbridge was incredibly important for me. My friends say that I am a new person because of Artsbridge. I think the biggest change that happened to me was greater self confidence—because of Artsbridge, I’m no longer afraid to speak my mind, I feel more sure in what I’m doing and I believe in myself more. I learned how to listen, rather than just talking. It was hard in the beginning for me.

After the Summer Leadership Program, what community program did you work with?

For a year, I volunteered at the Youth Club in my village. It’s a place where teenagers come for activities and fun, and where each generation leads the younger one. I helped lead the children, and my leaders are the old guys in the village. I did art activities and games with the kids—it was really fun.

Is there a favorite experience with Artsbridge that stands out in your mind?

I think the best experiences I had were our sessions with Keren Schecter in the morning. I think the pressure you have at the afternoon dialogues can really build up for the participants, and in Keren’s class we could all relax. She made me believe in myself. I always tell her, “Thank you,” and she always says, “Don’t thank me, it’s you!” I feel like my life was previously locked away, and that Artsbridge gave me the key to continue. Artsbridge’s dialogue technique is really important—it gets to the heart of the political issues between Palenstinians and Israelis. Growing up in Neve-Shalom [which was cofounded by Arabs and Israelis] I was used to talking about these issues (unlike many of the other participants) but I hadn’t had the same kind of opportunity to speak with people who live in the West Bank for an extended period of time.

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