welcome – salām – shalom – hos geldiniz – ahoj – kalos órisate – teple pryvitannya – namaste – karibu!
A warm welcome to you!
Winner of the European Diplôme d’Honneur award from the Fondation du Mérite Européen
Latest news from 05.11.2025 (further information in the current newsletters):
Dear members and donors, dear people interested in our association’s activities,
After a provisional, very fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, we are also fervently hoping for a ceasefire in Ukraine that is not the beginning of a dictated peace (conclusion in the JIK newsletter of 5.11. 2025).
JIK newsletters with their variety of topics are an offer for very different target groups.
(Attached JIK-Newsletter of 6.11.25, 2 ToN volunteer reports + ToN impressions, C. Messerschmid: Die dt. Wurzeln des Zionismus, 2025)
Review Hüsch on the 100th: Christian Kercher (reciter), Beatrix Pluta (viola/piano)
This homage to H.D. Hüsch in front of over 100 enthusiastic visitors in the Paul-Gerhardt-Haus was a complete success thanks to the very varied and expressive presentation by Christian Kercher and musical accompaniment by Beatrix Pluta. We are therefore planning a sequel for
13.11.25: The peace bell trek reaches the Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem.
There, a peace bell cast from military scrap is ceremoniously handed over – as a gift and lasting symbol of hope, reconciliation and a shared future for Jewish, Muslim and Christian children in Israel. The peace bell horse trek started on May 8, 2025 (80th anniversary of the end of World War II) from Berlin. The participants covered over 3,500 km through 8 countries to Thessaloniki. From there, the 65 kg peace bell was shipped to Israel on their wagon.
The final stage – around 100 km on Israeli horses – takes the international team from the Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam Peace Village via several stops to the Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem. As
It would be wonderful if it could then usher in a real peace process in the Middle East, in which both sides confess and forgive each other their mistakes and guilt as a prerequisite for a peaceful and equal coexistence of all peoples in the Middle East.
17.11.25, 19:00: JIK-MV in Haus Lauterbach in St. Augustin, Mühlenweg 11 In addition to our members, all those who decide to support our association by then through their membership (very low contribution) are also cordially invited (online membership at www.jugendinterkult.de: click on start bar association, fill in and send membership form). If you have been a member for at least 2 years, you will receive an early bird discount of up to 160 € on the October 26 trip to Israel-P.-Jordan (online registration on the JIK website) and free tickets for the annual July cultural program (this time from 11.-16.7.26, see below, more information to follow).
13./14.12.25: Jerusalem – A look behind the scenes (2-day seminar at the Thomas Morus Academy in Bensberg with Prof. Katja Soennecken and Prof. Dieter Vieweger)
06.03.26: Women’s World Day of Prayer from Nigeria. The motto is: “Bring your burden”. The services are prepared worldwide by women from Nigeria who live in rural areas and are confronted with dangers and obstacles on their way to the fields.
28.3.-6.4.26: 8-day preparatory trip for (especially future) accompanying persons to Israel-Palestine (Easter vacations, 4/5 participants – small contribution to costs, information on JIK start page below, application and further information from me, 0163-6335535), program similar to March 25 (see Youth Exchange Reports). You will get a very authentic, intensive and unique insight into the current situation and perspectives for the Middle East with many important personalities (incl. family visits on site and the ToN). Please send me your application as soon as possible.
1.5.-3.5. 2026: JIK trip to Paris (for active and potential JIK employees only)We will also be booking Eurostar Cologne-Paris + accommodation in November (see also the report from the last JIK staff trip to Berlin in the appendix).
13.-17.5.2026: Katholikentag in Würzburg (with Daoud Nassar as speaker, among others)
10 – 18.7.26: planned new date for the visit of the youth group from Bethlehem
11.-16.7.26: New, attractive JIK cultural program (free tickets for members, information to follow)
15.07. 2026: possible new date for the Trialogue panel discussion in Sankt Augustin The aim of the Trialogue events is to talk about the Middle East and the consequences for Muslim/Jewish life in our country while recognizing the suffering of both sides.
17.10-1.11.26: Israel-Palestine-Jordan trip (NRW fall break), 16 participants (aged 18 and over) – uncertain
We very much hope that this 1st trip since 7.10.23 can still take place.
Situation on the ToN (update from 6.11.)
There are currently up to 30 volunteers aged 40-85 working on the ToN, who are all very enthusiastic despite the tangible threat situation (see 2 volunteer reports + ToN impressions in the appendix). Here are links to great videos of 5 ToN volunteers who introduce themselves and explain their ToN motivation.
https://www.jugendinterkult.de/wp-content/uploads/VIDEO-1.mp4
https://www.jugendinterkult.de/wp-content/uploads/VIDEO-2.mp4
https://www.jugendinterkult.de/wp-content/uploads/VIDEO-3.mp4
https://www.jugendinterkult.de/wp-content/uploads/VIDEO-4.mp4
https://www.jugendinterkult.de/wp-content/uploads/VIDEO-5.mp4
We are still urgently looking for adult volunteers for 2026 who would preferably like to help out at ToN for a longer period of time (register on the website www.tentofnations.com). JIK supports the ToN stay of volunteers from approx. 3 weeks by subsidizing/covering the flight costs (information from me: 01636-335535). Thanks to our help, volunteers will once again be able to help out there for longer periods of time.
We are trying to start a permanent initiative to save the ToN with the help of all ToN supporters . Perhaps you also have important contacts/suggestions for us! Please help us with your donations so that the many Christian institutions in Bethlehem/Jerusalem, and especially the Jahalin Bedouins, do not have to give up.
| Therefore, once again my urgent request: Please also make a generous donation for the Mount of Olives Monastery, the University of Bethlehem and the 5,000 Jahalin Bedouins who are to be forcibly resettled next to a garbage dump (see legal costs + international aid below) !!! |
The greatest concerns are still the famine, the 80% destruction of Gaza and the aggressive, forced settlement policy in the West Bank and its planned partition.
Successful fundraising campaign since 1.1.23: 558 T € for Ukraine, Africa, Latin America, India, Middle East etc.
Since our donations are also declining overall, we will in future concentrate on people in the Middle East who are threatened and disadvantaged in many ways (ToN, monasteries, schools and universities in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jahalin Bedouins, Angel of Cultures etc., see bank details below).
Founded in 2011, our Sankt Augustin-based association has both a local and global focus and is committed to intercultural understanding, justice as well as sustainable development worldwide as a basis for peace.
- We would like to inspire adolescents for intercultural youth exchange with Israel-Palestine-Jordan through specially sponsored and inexpensive bilateral youth encounters.
- JIK promotes intercultural creative projects (music, theater, dance, art) with socially and otherwise disadvantaged young people, young talents, refugees in many countries as well as volunteer work in Christian institutions, e.g. in Palestine.
Art project in Bethlehem
Music project in Zanzibar
- We support 50 aid projects in Colombia, Afghanistan, India, Congo, Palestine, etc. in over 25 countries worldwide.
- Total JIK funding for all projects and fundraising campaigns since 2011: over € 2.5 million
With the help of the donations, tens of thousands of children and their families, as well as Christian institutions (monasteries, schools, etc. in Palestine, among others) in many countries that have fallen into great need as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the Middle East war, could and can be helped with food and medical aid as well as support in all areas of life.
Street children Colombia – Don Bosco
Afghanistan Aid – Caritas International
- We still need more people for our projects, people to accompany us on our trips, but also support through membership and of course especially donations for our many aid projects.
- Accompanying persons urgently needed for bilateral youth exchange with Palestine. We are not only looking for volunteers for the ToN and other employees for our projects, but also urgently for accompanying persons (e.g. religious teacher) for our bilateral youth encounters with Palestine from 2026, who would like to prepare and accompany these trips as leaders after participating in the trip in October 2026 and intensive JIK training. Applicants should be between 30 and 50 years old(preferably female), live in the Bonn – Leverkusen area, have good English skills and pedagogical experience in dealing with projects and adolescents, and preferably already be familiar with regional studies, the Middle East conflict and the 3 world religions. As a responsible manager from 2027, you will receive an expense allowance.
Participation in the following trips/two-sided youth encounters is welcome:
1. 28.3.-6.4.26 (approx.): Preparatory trip to Israel-Palestine (approx. 4/5 participants), small cost contribution from participants
2. 10-18.7.26: Visit of approx. 15 participants from Bethlehem in Bonn
3. Trip to Israel-Palestine-Jordan: 17.10. -01.11. 2026 (maximum 16 participants aged 18 and over)
Email applications to: schroedergregor@aol.com
Let yourself be inspired by the variety of our activities and take advantage of our offers by participating in international youth encounters, our creative projects, fundraising activities and/or by joining or becoming a member of us. As a member, you take part in all activities free of charge, have the opportunity to get free tickets for all cultural events from the JIK free ticket contingent and receive an early bird discount of €160 on trips.
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