Bridge over the Wadi

In 2004, Arab and Israeli parents embarked on a joint initiative to establish a bilingual elementary school in Kara, a village in Israel's Wadi Valley. Some fierce debates preceded the opening of the school in September of that year. Although the initiative was idealistic and noble, the reality of it was that parents still had some major hurdles to overcome. In addition, they were forced to defend their decision in the face of opponents and sceptics. The school, which is called Bridge over the Wadi, has room for 50 Jewish and 50 Arab students, but is located in the Arab part of the valley. In a sober manner, the filmmakers observe how students, faculty and parents struggle to coexist peacefully during the first exciting year. Teachers spend a lot of time teaching mutual respect, and they arrange field trips to the mosque and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Some parents feel the reciprocal integration goes too far when students are asked to participate in each other's religious festivities. An Arab teacher has more and more difficulties with what parents expect of her. By the end of the year, it would appear that they have succeeded in establishing a foundation, however shaky and unpredictable it may be. In 2005, twice as many students signed up to attend the school.