Hi, our names are Yakir (which is "my beloved" in Hebrew). I want to experience and share myself with people who open themselves to me with vulnerability, honesty, and gentleness, but also with creative collaboration, flirtation, affection, and laughter. Most of my work is centered around grassroots (inter-faith) dialogue and nonviolent action towards peace in Jerusalem and teachings in different States here. I also work in academia, writing and teaching about gender, sexuality and our existential being. I love having some parts of life where I can be simple, uncomplicated and playful in contrast to my public work.

I love working with my body, dance contact improv, 5 rhythm, KDS karate and meditation and being Poly. but I am also very connected to my academic and political work: books, writings, non-violence communication and activism.

After serving in the army for 3 years and seeing a lot of suffering in my unit, I decided to dedicate my life to help ending the conflict. I lead a peace organization, and push myself and my society to believe that we can live together. I see myself as peace activist, who deeply cares also about religion/spirituality and contemporary progressive thought. I have a sense of childlike wonder about things because nothing in the world is ordinary.

I like to talk and more importantly - to listen. To hear the feelings between the sentences. I learned to feel comfortable with silence, to walk in nature. I love going out with friends and to see how and when their eyes smile.

I'm seeking sensitive, meaningful, and deep connections with beautiful people. I want to keep growing by connecting with as many sincere, compassionate, and deep people as I can for all kinds of relationships.

If you wish to understand that it is Israel and Palestine together.
If you want to come and share yourself, and also to feel at home.
If you are still amazed how people can be so boring but also so fascinating ----
You are so welcome to my home and heart.

I am in an open relationship. We are both sex positive.
Of course it doesn't mean anything about you and us and there is zero expectations beyond creating friendship. You are my guest and I will do everything that you feel safe and at home.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I was hosting people in Jerusalem and this is the beginning of my American journey. I love hosting people and get the gift to meet with special people from all over the world.
One of my best friends was a guest from Germany. Till today we already met in 7 different countries. It is such a gift to hear life stories, to learn about other ways of living and to feel yourself with others.

Interests

I live in Brooklyn with another 8 fascinating people. Some of them are my best friends. We love to love and feel joy, talking from the heart, dancing, painting and mostly cuddling.

• horses
• books
• dancing
• coffee
• meditation
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• violin
• skiing
• gender studies
• religion
• cuddling
• mushrooms
• mysticism
• karate
• wild camping
• non-violent communication
• joy
• 5rhythms

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Emir Kusturica, Krzysztof Kieślowski‏ (Three Colors and The Double Life of Véronique), Quentin Tarantino, The Hours, YES, Titus Andronicus (and any other movie by Julie Taymor), vicky cristina Barcelona, The Believer, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 days, Boys Don't Cry, Blue is the warmest color, 12 Years of Slavery. Israeli-Palestinian cinema. Documentaries (there are too many to count).

Shows: Luther, House of Cards, True Detective (season 1), House, The Killing, The Wire, מחוברים (I'm sure in 1-2 years US will buy it from Israel), Sopranos.

Music: Classic Music (It is hard to choose: Violin Concertos by Bruch, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev. Ballet by Stravinsky. Piano Concertos by Rachmaninoff (2-3), Brahms) etc.
Bregovic, Israeli old Music, PJ Harvey, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie.

Books: Alice Munro, Clarice Lispector, Virginia Woolf, Haim Potok, Plato, it will not be finished ....so just ask me)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I grew up in an Ultra-Religious(Hasidic) family...which I love since it gives me to live for years in a Non-Western society and to have the option to chose what is right for me.
I also was (too) many times under shooting and learn how to deal with fear and care about others.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you want to read more and feel who I am, this will be a nice introduction:
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/my-palestinian-elijah/

http://religiondispatches.org/an-israeli-and-a-palestinian-american-imam-exchange-letters-on-viral-video-of-israelis-cursing-at-wounded-palestinian-teen/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yakir-englander/a-hasidic-prayer-at-a-pal_b_6582798.html

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