The Jewish-Arab Student Encounters Program provides fifth and sixth grade Jewish and Arab children from neighboring schools the opportunity to interact in a positive setting — often for the very first time. The program pairs Arab and Jewish schools for the academic school year, and gives students, parents and teachers unique opportunities to 'get to know' each other. It facilitates joint activities throughout the year, which break down currently existing barriers, instill understanding, tolerance and appreciation, and build relationships across these divided Jewish and Arab communities. The program recently expanded to include the central and southern districts, most notably to incorporate schools in the unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev desert.