'We are one nation': Jewish, Arab teens build relationships at 'Cooking Peace' culinary camp

The first Cooking Peace summer camp, a joint Jewish-Arab culinary program by the Green Network, concluded at Ben Shemen Youth Village with about forty teens. The week-long camp focused on dialogue, sustainable cooking, and nutrition, ending with a graduation ceremony on Friday. Participants and organizers highlighted how shared interests, music, and food built connections despite cultural differences.

The first Cooking Peace summer camp, a joint Jewish-Arab culinary program organized by the Green Network, wrapped up at the Ben Shemen Youth Village in central Israel. The week-long camp concluded with a graduation ceremony on Friday, August 1, 2026, attended by some forty teens, split between Jews and Arabs, most aged 15-17 and coming from all over Israel. The program focused on building dialogue and relationships, environmentally sustainable cooking practices, and nutrition. Activities included a two-day culinary workshop led by four professional chefs. Camp director Myriam Charbit said the camp saw diversity as an element of Israeli society that 'makes us better, makes us rich, makes us interesting.' Maram Younis, a Muslim woman from northern Israel who partnered with Charbit, said it was important to rely on values important for both sides, with each group having two instructors, one Jewish and one Arab. Teen campers echoed the sentiment, with Noga, a Jewish teen from Tel Aviv, saying food is 'an incredible love language' that connects everyone. Nouran, a 15-year-old Arab Muslim girl from Akko, said she learned to correct false impressions about her religion. Uri, a Jewish teen from New York, noted the teens didn't shy away from difficult conversations about political and cultural issues. Retal, a 16-year-old Muslim girl from Tayibe, said the camp was 'the most beautiful experience' and that they were 'like a family.' Chef Jolyana Khalil, an Arab Christian from Eilabun, said the teens sang in both languages while cooking.