Lubna Heading a Hebrew-Arabic Project

Lubna Qadri (22) from Kfar Nahaf, a medical student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ambassador at the BR Ambassadors Organization founded by the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation, leads a unique project - "Hebrew Arabic".

As part of the project, which takes place on the campus of Hadassah Ein Kerem, Arab students teach spoken Arabic to Jewish students. The idea of the project was born in the classroom course, "Man & Medicine", highlighting the importance of the interpersonal relationship between doctor and patient.

The course provides an opportunity for students to learn about patient treatment through group discussions, role-playing, games, tours and meetings with department physicians and patients. Lubna says: "Some of the challenges dealt with on the course help the doctors to understand the differences between patient and doctor. A doctor who does not speak the language of the patient finds it hard to communicate with him/her, which can certainly harm the treatment and its effectiveness. Discussion of this issue sparked a need and a desire among members of the class to learn the Arabic language in order to be better and more professional doctors in the future.

The aims of the project, "Hebrew Arabic", for future doctors who are preparing to meet with Arab patients are to improve care, increase the chances of success and improve the patient's experience. Other aims are to aid in Arab students' development by integrating them on campus and teaching each group familiarity with the other's culture.

Initially a study group of four students was set up, but by the end of the first year, it had grown to four times that size! In view of the great demand among students to join meetings of "Hebrew Arabic", Lubna recruited two other volunteers and opened two additional study groups. Learning requires a commitment on the part of students: they meet weekly, are given homework to practice by themselves, learn songs in Arabic and are exposed to the culture and traditions through performances and meetings.

"It is exciting to see the students learn and enjoy and come closer to Arab culture - the culture I come from. I see great potential in the project and plan to consolidate and expand its operations in the coming years," notes Lubna. She adds: "When I started my medical studies, I joined the BR Ambassadors Organization founded by the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation that deals with the development of personal excellence and the social needs of the students, with a view to helping them fulfill their individual, academic and career potential".

Lubna can be contacted at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.