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A Transformative Community Building Circle Training

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent 3-day Community Building Circle Training held at Central Synagogue. This impactful event brought together community members to learn the transformative circle process—a restorative approach to fostering deeper connections, mutual understanding, and trust between individuals and within communities.

Circles are a process that encourage participants to share personal stories, opinions, and emotions, and cultivates an environment of trust and understanding that allows bonds to form organically. Over the course of the training, participants were introduced to the principles of restorative justice, diving deep into the theory and practice behind it. They also gained hands-on experience in facilitating circles, building the confidence to lead meaningful conversations within their own community.

Before the gathering on September 11, 2024, participants took part in a training on restorative processes led by New York Peace Institute’s Ayanna Behin, Kailani Capote, and Ruby Phillips.

 

To put their new skills into practice, the synagogue hosted a community event that invited all members to experience the circle process firsthand. The response was overwhelmingly positive—participants expressed how quickly they connected on a deeper level and highlighted the profound impact of the circle process in bringing people together.

In a time when society is facing significant divisions, the importance of community building cannot be overstated. Creating safe spaces where individuals can share their experiences, engage in open dialogue, and foster empathy is crucial to bridging gaps and cultivating a sense of belonging. This training provided participants with the tools to nurture these environments, where understanding and connection can thrive.

The event was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of restorative practices in creating more cohesive and supportive communities. NYPI invites other organizations and groups to consider incorporating circle trainings as a valuable tool for strengthening relationships and building trust. Together, we can create spaces where everyone feels heard, valued, and connected.

Interested in learning more or bringing this training to your organization? Contact us at [contact information] to explore how we can support your community-building efforts.

Join us in creating spaces where everyone feels heard, valued, and connected.

New York Peace Institute Featured in Brick Underground

For a recent article on handling the issue of harassment from a neighbor, Brick Underground reached out to Michele Kirschbaum, Director of Programs at New York Peace Institute, to learn about how mediation could be helpful. The article, “Is your neighbor harassing you? Follow these 4 steps to handle the problem” highlighted a couple of ways that mediation can help with this difficult situation that can be regrettably common in a place as densely populated as New York City.

For a link to the full article, click the image or the link below:

4 Steps to Stop Your Neighbor from Harassing You