3FF Middle East

Based in Israel, 3FF Middle East combines Scriptural Reasoning methods championed by the University of Cambridge with the educational expertise from 3FF's daily work in UK schools to create intercultural models that work in the region.

Although Jews, Christians and Muslims interact on a daily basis in the Holy Land, rarely do such encounters offer an opportunity to really learn about the culture and identity of others. A groundbreaking collaboration between 3FF and Cambridge University's Inter-faith Programme (CIP) seeks to change this by delivering new models for intercultural engagement in Israel, bringing text-based dialogue to students and young professionals.

HOSPITALS PROGRAMME

Through 3FF and CIP’s flagship Hospitals Programme, Scriptural Reasoning workshops give trainee doctors and nurses of Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths at five Israeli hospitals the practical tools needed to improve relations with their colleagues. The workshops are now a compulsory component of studies in three hospitals after a statement by the Israeli Ministry of Health that “cultural competency” must be taught to all healthcare professionals.

In the workshops, joint readings from the Qur’an, New Testament and Tanakh serve as springboards for deeper discussions. The sessions enable students to communicate at ease with each other – without feeling that they have to leave their culture and identity at the door of their universities or workplaces. They also help them treat patients and relate to other healthcare professionals with greater understanding of their religious sensibilities.

Young People’s Programme

The Young People’s Programme brings University-age Jews, Christians and Muslims together for meaningful encounters based on the same Scriptural Reasoning methods as the Hospitals Programme.

New Models for Existing Groups

Through New Models for Existing Groups we enable those who already make the effort to come together to try out different models of interaction to enrich and enliven existing dialogue. Our partners for this programme are Interfaith Encounter Association and the Reut-Sadaqa Jerusalem Interfaith Group.