The Goal: Building Bridges

Craftspeople and apprentices are rarely part of German Israeli exchange programs. With the project Building Bridges for the Future, we want to give young craftspeople from both countries the opportunity to participate in a German Israeli exchange program and, in doing so, add an important aspect in the relationship between our countries.

You can follow the progress of the project on the Building Bridges website, where participants' experiences and reports will also be shared throughout the year.

The Program: Building Bridges Together

On the initiative of our board members Elke Büdenbender, judge and wife of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and former Federal Minister Brigitte Zypries, the Future Forum launched Building Bridges for the Future. We are conducting the project together with the Leo Baeck Institute (LBI) in Jerusalem, the Central Association of the Skilled Crafts, and the Chambers of the Skilled Crafts in Berlin, Dresden, and Cologne. The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The participants of Building Bridges will attend workshops, collaborate on projects, and exchange professional knowledge from Israel and Germany.

Additionally, as part of the project, the Leo Baeck Institute in Jerusalem will be renovated to make the premises more accessible and climate neutral.

The long-term goal of Building Bridges is to establish sustainable structures for exchange in the fields of craftsmanship and construction, support skilled trades as an essential pillar of both societies, and expand German Israeli relations to include a previously underrepresented sector.

Looking Ahead: Building Bridges in 2025

The Program in May

In May 2025, together with the Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem and the Chambers of the Skilled Crafts in Dresden, Cologne, and Berlin, we will bring together a group of 40 young craftspeople—20 from Germany and 20 from Israel—to realize the vision of Building Bridges.

Participants will travel together to Cologne, Berlin, and Dresden, engage in discussions, and take part in various workshops. These include knowledge-based workshops on the unique aspects of skilled crafts in Israel and Germany and their bilateral relations, as well as hands-on workshops organized by the respective Chambers of the Skilled Crafts, where participants will work together and learn from one another.

Looking Ahead: Trip to Israel in December

In December, the project will continue with a joint trip to Israel, where craftspeople will participate in further workshops and learning programs. The year-long program will conclude with a celebratory event featuring prominent guests.

Another highlight of the trip will be the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Leo Baeck Institute in Jerusalem.