EMPOWERING THROUGH EDUCATION & BRIDGING DIVIDES THROUGH KNOWLEDGE

ITME ON THE ROAD | A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ITME
& THE JCC ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA

INSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST | INTELLIGENCE PERSPECTIVES [ITME]

ITME and its principal educator, Avi Melamed, provide the leading, multi-modality learning experience about Israel and the Middle East. Content is current, compelling, and apolitical. ITME bridges preconceived notions, using historical context and contemporary resources to help program participants learn HOW to think about Israel and the entire Middle East, not WHAT to think, and to enable ongoing, authentic dialogue to strengthen interpersonal and communal ties and equip people to impact the discourse on campus & in their communities.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA

The JCC Association of North America represents the largest and most diverse platform for Jewish engagement in North America. Local JCCs are the ‘town square’ for the Jewish community and interested friends and neighbors.

MAY 2023 | ITME-ON-THE-ROAD LAUNCH – THE PATH TO EXPANSION!

Our Board, believing Avi was the perfect resource for the JCCs, initiated a pivotal partnership with the Jewish Community Center Association of North America. In May 2023, coincident with Israel’s 75th birthday, the JCCA and ITME launched a unique partnership through the JCC Association Center for Israel Engagement. To kick off the initiative, Avi briefed the Board of Directors at their Annual Meeting in New York. He then visited several nearby communities, offering sample programs from the ITME curriculum. ITMES’ distinct apolitical, non-partisan approach and unique ability to create and foster an inclusive, positive, productive, and tolerant dialogue and discussion among people that span the ideological and political spectrum was quickly recognized.

The extraordinarily successful pilot phase laid the groundwork for expansion. A series of tailored programs across North America, including Board Briefings, Community Events, and Staff and Professional Training, were scheduled for the West Coast of the United States and Canada for October and November 2023.

OCTOBER 2023 | ITME-ON-THE-ROAD GOES VIRTUAL

Following the events of October 7th, believing Avi was more valuable in Israel as an educator, at the last minute, in consultation with JCC Association of North America professional leadership, we decided to postpone the trip and focus on media outreach and virtual programming for a plethora of global organizations – the core of which was JCCs across the United States. ITME’s relationship with the JCC has expanded and flourished – especially since October 7th.

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2024 | ON THE ROAD AGAIN

In December, February, and March, we were on the road again – reaching almost a dozen states coast-to-coast and helping boards, communities, professionals & staff understand the war by gaining a deeper understanding of the evolving war. We held scores of interviews and over 40 public and private events with audiences of a range of ages and from various religious and professional backgrounds. The primary pillar of our tour was ITME-ON-THE-ROAD, our partnership with the JCC Association of North America.

MAY 2023 – APRIL 2024 | OVER 100 PROGRAMS, BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE, FOR DIVERSE AUDIENCES AT OVER 30 JCCs

Since May 2023, we have worked intensively one-one-one with JCCs across North America to create customized live and virtual programming in Israel and across North America. ­Utilizing ITME’s unique briefings, tours, workshops, film screenings, resources, and analysis, we have educated, equipped, and empowered thousands of community members and leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds – Jews and non-Jews, community members, clergy of all faiths, and community and civic leaders – with the knowledge, skills, and tools that build a bridge to engage in constructive and productive dialogue about Israel. Between May 2023 and April 2024, we have organized and conducted over 100 dynamic and varied programs, both in-person and online, for dozens (over 30 JCCs) of JCCs across the United States.

The uniqueness of partnering with JCCs is the gift of leveraging their networks. Our partnership with the JCC is allowing us to reach broad and diverse audiences. Through this partnership, we are reaching tens of thousands of people – boards, business, civic and non-profit leaders, clergy, community members, educators, high school seniors, interfaith groups, Israelis, leadership, professionals, religious and secular political and educational organizations and institutions, synagogues, universities, and other influential groups that local partners determine – around the world. Testimonials from professionals and community members alike stand as a testament to our commitment and impact.

GROWING DEMAND FOR LIVE, VIRTUAL, AS WELL AS TOOLS AND RESOURCES

The pilot’s success, the popularity and impact of the virtual and live briefings during the war, and our in-person programming at JCCs across the United States in December, February, and March have led many JCCs to seek continued ITME education for their communities, staff, and professionals.

Given the continuing demand, we continue to work with JCCs across North America to develop virtual programming and resources and tools to enhance educational enrichment. Our goal is to do whatever we can within budget constraints to empower communities, staff, and professionals with a robust understanding of the Middle East, furthering knowledge, enhancing understanding, and supporting constructive community dialogue.

THE JCC ISRAEL ACADEMY

Recognizing Avi’s unique and exceptional contributions to the JCC Association of North America, Avi has earned his place as the movement’s premier educator.

In May 2024, the JCC Association of North America will be launching the Israel Academy. Avi will be the first educator of this new initiative; he will teach a six-part course called Inside the Middle East: Navigating Today’s Complexities and Tomorrow’s Possibilities.

Testimonials from professionals and community members alike stand as a testament to our commitment and impact. Avi’s presentations are universally acclaimed. His ability to articulate the nuanced reality of the Middle East and Israel’s role in regional geopolitics has been described as “outstanding.” Participants appreciate his professionalism and his adeptness at discussing Israel beyond its divisive politics. Feedback consistently highlights the value of his insights, with many expressing gratitude for his guidance through challenging and emotional topics.


PILOT SPRING – SUMMER 2023

ITME and its principal educator, Avi Melamed, provide the leading, multi-modality learning experience about Israel and the Middle East. Content is current, compelling, and apolitical. ITME bridges preconceived notions, using historical context and contemporary resources to help program participants learn HOW to think about Israel and the entire Middle East, not WHAT to think, and to enable ongoing, authentic dialogue to strengthen interpersonal and communal ties.

As Israel nears a tremendous milestone, the Middle East is entering a new era. ITME sees this new era as an opportunity to solidify a new connection to Israel and anchor Israel as a central component of American Jewish identity. To understand Israel, you must understand the Middle East.

In May 2023, coincident with Israel’s 75th birthday, JCC Association and ITME will initiate a unique partnership through JCC Association’s Center for Israel Engagement.

Avi will present to JCC Association Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting, and he will travel to a select group of nearby communities to present sample programs from the ITME curriculum.

This sneak preview, as a prelude to a larger national program, is designed to demonstrate ITME’s distinct apolitical, non-partisan approach as a platform to create and foster an inclusive, positive, productive, and tolerant dialogue and discussion among people that span the ideological and political spectrum.

ITME - JCC PARTNERSHIP IN THE PRESS

MIDDLE EAST INTELLIGENCE BRIEFINGS

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PRAXIS WORKSHOP

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| The ITME Praxis is the Cornerstone of all of ITME's Apolitical Non-Partisan Educational Activities
Our Proprietary Intelligence Curriculum Equips People of all Ages with Universally Applicable Skills and Tools, Empowering them to be Media Literate Critical Thinkers about Israel, the Middle East, & the World. |

ITME is a US tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
Multi-day seminars, semester-long, and year-long programs, subsidized by ITME donors and supporters, make participation affordable.

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ITME HUB

After Hezbollah ceasefire, will Israel’s contest with Iran move to Syria? | IRAN INTERNATIONAL

After Hezbollah ceasefire, will Israel's contest with Iran move to Syria? | Avi Melamed’s insights quoted by Negar Mojtahedi, Canadian Iranian journalist and documentary...

VOA The Issue: Hezbollah cease-fire | VOA

VOA The Issue: Hezbollah cease-fire | Avi Melamed quoted by Scott Walterman in this Podcast for VOA | Voice of America - November...

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire cause for celebration, but situation ‘highly fragile’: Experts | ALARABIYA

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire cause for celebration, but situation ‘highly fragile’: Experts | Avi Melamed analysis is quoted by Jennifer Bell in an article in AL...

Sin ceder en Gaza, Israel accede a una tregua en Líbano pero retiene “libertad de acción” | EFE

Sin ceder en Gaza, Israel accede a una tregua en Líbano pero retiene "libertad de acción" | Avi Melamed quoted by Sara Gómez Armas...

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: Ex-Israeli intelligence official warns of renewed war if Hezbollah rebuild strength | ASIANET NEWS

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire : Ex-Israeli intelligence official warns of renewed war if Hezbollah rebuild strength | Avi Melamed’s insights quoted by Sunita Iyer in this...

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah Start Ceasefire After Nearly 14 Months of Fighting | NEW YORK SUN

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah Start Ceasefire After Nearly 14 Months of Fighting | Avi Melamed’s insights quoted in this article by The New York...
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