ABOUT
The Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace is an educational nonprofit founded in 1987 that promotes mutual respect, tolerance and coexistence across religions, ethnicities and nationalities. We teach democratic precepts and values through accredited formal (K-12th) and informal programs on democracy and conflict resolution to schools, universities, civil society, and the general population; we tailor our unique experiential learning to every age, community, culture and sector.
The Adam Institute was established in memory of Emil Grunzweig, a 36-year-old educator and peace activist. He was killed at a demonstration against the Lebanon War on February 10, 1983. His murder underscored the vital need for democracy education.
OUR MISSION
Israeli democracy is in a state of crisis, with deleterious effects in the political, social, and defense arenas. Social crises fuel increased polarization and societal division, heightened tension between Jews and Arabs, violence, and personal and economic insecurity. This storm of crises calls for an educational response.
OUR VALUES
We view Israel’s multiculturalism and diversity as a source of inspiration to build a robust democratic and free Israel for all its citizens and residents. Inculcating democratic values promotes tolerance across religions, ethnicities, and nationalities. Our programs amplify human and civil rights, with educational resonance and relevance across the country, region and beyond. We tailor initiatives for communities on the socioeconomic and geographic periphery. In addition, we facilitate Jewish-Arab and multicultural encounters on equality and safeguarding rights.
OUR EXPERIENTIAL TEACHING METHOD
Our programs are taught using “Betzavta – Adam Institute’s facilitation method”, encouraging the reframing of external conflicts as internal dilemmas. “Betzavta” incentivizes participants to look beyond all-or-nothing options to generate solutions that benefit everyone. It’s engaging, experiential learning based on philosophy, sociology, psychology—and fun.
OUR IMPACT
360,000 participants, 5-90, Jews & Arabs, secular and religious, geographic/socioeconomic periphery
65 educational programs in Hebrew, Arabic, German, English, Polish
900 Jewish-Arab encounter groups
3900 facilitators in Israel and globally trained in "Betzavta - Adam Institute's facilitation method”
EDUCATION ACROSS THE GAMUT
Our programs on democratic principles and daily life, anti-racism and xenophobia, environment, sustainability, feminism and gender equality, freedom of speech and discrimination, disability rights, the effects of war, and other topics are taught in person at civil society nonprofits, institutes and universities in Israel and around the world. These same courses are taught digitally through the Adam Institute’s “Betzavta” Online Academy, established in 2020. Our Online Academy offers the same verve of an in-person training in a digital format. People from around the world—Europe to Turkey, South Korea to Australia, Sudan to Iran to South America to the USA and Canada—log in for exciting experiential learning.OUR STAFF
The Adam Institute staff resembles the people we serve: Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, all genders, developing educational programs for democracy and peace, championing human rights, civil rights and social action.The Adam Institute’s work has garnered seven prestigious awards.
OUR REACH
This map captures the global impact of our work.
Support our programs to PROMOTE EQUALITY, RIGHTS, PARTNERSHIP AND RESPECT
Our programs are crucial to foster respectful dialogue, allow polarized groups to connect, and provide tools for conflict resolution. We have the knowledge and experience to address the tumult in our region. Yet steep governmental cuts in democracy education and civics have led to very little learning in these critical areas.
We must act now to close those gaps. Because if you don’t teach democracy, you just won’t have it.