"And the greater part of peace is to connect between two opposites." From the words of Rabbi Nachman of Braslav, Likutey Moharan, Part I.

Despite the ever-widening gulf that separates Arab and Jew in Israel, science and technology seem to be a bridge that connects students regardless of background, religion or ideology. The pursuit of knowledge is a conduit for opening communication--and dialogue that can extend far beyond the classroom.

The Bridges project intends to do just that. The venture will act to bring together pupils in lower secondary schools from the Jewish school (ORT HaShomron school in Binyamina) and an Arab school in Faradis by way of a scientific-technological research venture. In Acco, the project will pair the Jewish school ORT Darskey with ORT Acco, an Arab school.

ORT's view is that if the Jewish society in Israel wishes to maintain a democratic lifestyle with an emphasis on civil rights, it needs to review its relations with Israel's Arab minority. This project will provide a forum for such interaction, opening doors as it opens minds.

Contributions to this project will enable ORT to:

• Create research activity once every two months at the site where the actual work is carried out (the academic institution or industry), under the guidance of advisors/counselors;
• Allow pupils from the Jewish and Arab schools to meet alternately at their schools five times a year, under the supervision and guidance of technology and science teachers, to continue the technological-scientific research and present their findings;
• Offer in-service training for teachers supervising these students;
• Provide transportation to the hosting industry/academic institution and partner schools; and
• Develop appropriate equipment and materials.