Kindergarten
"Bustan Yafa" Kindergarten is a bi-lingual (Hebrew, Arabic) kindergarten, that operates according to the Waldorf educational methodology and serves children of both nations. The first kindergarten was established in 2010 by Ihab and Ora Balha, out of a personal need to provide their own children with an educational solution that would continue the manner in which they were educating their children at home: integrating two languages, religions and cultures, in a path of love. Beyond bi-lingual education and multiculturalism, we also stress humaneness and respect between people and people and the earth, and works to educate towards sustainability. The children experience the connection between people and the earth, without harming the environment, while showing their respect for the earth and creation.
The kindergarten serves both communities and constitutes as an example of joint action. The children and teachers play and sing in both languages. The holidays of all three religions are celebrated, with the emphasis on the changing seasons that reflects the child's inner world. Around the kindergarten a vibrant community of families and friends is growing and our teacher team continues to learn, develop and grow in a spirit of true coexistence.
Today we have seven kindergarten in Jaffa, and one more in Galilee.
Ages between 1-6 years old.
We are working towards establishing a school in the same spirit. The kindergarten is located in the heart of Jaffa, in a garden of fruit trees, Vegetable Garden, and a petting farm.
In the challenging reality in which we live, existence of conflicts, there is a growing will for a kindergarten that puts the emphasis on humaneness.
To our understanding, when you teach the child from a young age to look at the world from different perspectives, such as additional language, this allows to accept the other rather than be afraid. And paves the path to breaking the ignorance and the fear between the sides - this way we will create a future of peace and accepting the other for our children. The educational approach in our kindergarten allows bridging between cultures and religions, and puts the emphasis on self education - when we educate our children, we must first observe ourselves and start the change within.