The Felm Center in Jerusalem

The Felm Center is helping shape a more peaceful future by offering a safe and welcoming space in Jerusalem where people from diverse backgrounds can meet and connect. Our work focuses on peace education, psychosocial support, and interfaith dialogue, fostering understanding and resilience within the community. Beyond the Center itself, Felm also collaborates with local partners on initiatives that expand opportunities for peace and reconciliation across the region.

Contact us by e-mail: felm.center[at]felm.org

Who we are and what we do

Location

The Felm Center stands at the crossroads of faith, culture, and history. Located in Israel, in the western part of Jerusalem, near Jerusalem’s Old City, within walking distance of the sacred sites of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

History

The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm) began its work in Jerusalem in 1924. The current Felm Center was acquired in the 1950s and for many years served as a kindergarten and school. Because of this, some locals still affectionately refer to it as The Finnish School.

Activities

Through diverse programs, community initiatives, and the welcoming atmosphere of the Felm Center in Jerusalem, we offer a safe, inclusive space where individuals from many different backgrounds can come together. The Center serves as a meeting point for dialogue, learning, and collaboration by bringing together residents, visitors, youth groups, religious leaders, educators, and peace practitioners from across cultural, religious, and political divides.

• Developing peacebuilding skills among children, youth, and the communities that support them. We strengthen cooperation and capacity in peace education.

• Providing psychosocial support through diaconia by empowering local peacebuilders, teachers, and others working with children and youth, and the marginalized by enhancing well-being and the quality of their work. We also promote awareness of mental and emotional support as part of conflict resolution and just peace.

• Promoting interfaith dialogue and peace theology by encouraging spiritual growth and cooperation across faith traditions by organizing cultural events, retreats, workshops, seminars, conferences, webinars, and other gatherings – both locally and internationally designed to foster understanding and to build trust.

• A platform for encounters that promote dialogue We offer customized educational visits on topics that embrace our values. Hosting confirmation classes at the center is also possible. Planning a seminar or congress? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our vision

Meaningful encounters help break down stereotypes, strengthen relationships, and inspire shared visions for a more peaceful and connected Jerusalem. We commit to create a place where every person feels respected, heard, and empowered. We operate through Felm’s values: faith – hope – love, nurturing hope, supporting reconciliation, encouraging long-term cooperation between communities. We want to empower peace, resilience, and hope together with our local and international partners and worldwide networks.

Contact: felm.center[at]felm.org