Who are we?
So how did it all begin?
The origins of "Let's Talk Democracy" go back to just before the 2022 elections. In those last few days, Oded Distel, one of the organization's future founders, took to the streets and invited people to talk to him using this sign:
Likud voting? I'm not. Let's talk The first 3 minutes are yours.
This sign already captured the basic principles of "Let's Talk Democracy." Even then, Oded understood three simple things: 1) Talking is important; 2) People want to talk; 3) In order to talk, you first have to listen.
So how did it all begin?
The origins of "Let's Talk Democracy" go back to just before the 2022 elections. In those last few days, Oded Distel, one of the organization's future founders, took to the streets and invited people to talk to him using this sign:
This sign already captured the basic principles of "Let's Talk Democracy." Even then, Oded understood three simple things: 1) Talking is important; 2) People want to talk; 3) In order to talk, you first have to listen.
Oded recalls:
"Back then, I invited people to join me - go out and talk to Likud voters near where they live. I got a lot of likes, but no one joined. Then came the elections. And then the results."
Then the "judicial overhaul".
At the end of January, a friend who knew about what I had tried to do and my frustration told me about Dafna (Haim-Lanford) and a number of people from the life-sciences protest group who want to set up "democracy stands".
And I told her, that's it! Let's go for it!
I spoke with Dafna and Amos (Israel), and voila - Let's Talk Democracy was born.
"On 5.2.23, five determined teams set up their stands and we were off! And we've been going nonstop ever since."
The “legal reform” announced by Yariv Levin sparked a determined protest movement on the Israeli streets. The legislation – and the opposition to the legislation – created significant friction between different parts of the Israeli public. This exposed just how deep and dangerous the divide in Israeli society had become. People became afraid to talk about these issues – on the street, at work, and even in the family. They worried that a conversation might become uncomfortable, turn into shouting, or even blow up. We reached a point where people preferred to talk only with those they already knew agreed with them. The fabric of our shared life in Israel was torn.
To successfully live here together, we have no choice – we must talk. Talk about what we agree on, and also about what we don't.
And sure enough, after the first week, Oded had this to say:
"Last Friday, a small group oa small group of brave pioneers took the plunge with Let’s Talk Democracy.
We set up the first five democracy stands across the country, with the goal of talking and listening - face to face. We are stepping away from our screens, social media, and toxic television coverage to talk with people who think differently.
We had long conversations about Yariv Levin's plans, about Deri, Netanyahu, the left and the right, about democracy, the ultra-Orthodox, Arabs, Oslo, ethnic divisions, and everything that we find important and troubling.
No topic was off-limits and there was no violence of any kind.
Respectful discourse and listening are the best antidote for fake news, toxicity, polarization, incitement, hatred, and the very real fear that, God forbid, we will end up in Shauli's nightmare scenario.
After Friday's successful pilot, we want to grow quickly, and we need volunteers to open booths on every corner and under every shady tree throughout our beautiful and ailing country.
This is a grassroots organization. We do not represent any party or movement. We represent only ourselves: people who love their home and are deeply concerned about its future.
So come on, give it a try! It's not scary and it's absolutely fascinating!
That is how we started and how we mean to go on
Week after week, more people joined. Five stands became seven, then ten, and now there are dozens – spread all over the country. Each stand functions as an independent unit. Every week, volunteers from our logistics team collect flowers from the regional supplier, and distribute them to all the stands – from Beersheba to Kiryat Shmona. From there, it’s up to the talkers! They go out into the street, set up the stand, offer a flower and start a conversation. And it’s all done entirely by volunteers.
Funding our activities
Let's Talk Democracy does rely on donations to fund expenses like signs, shirts, leaflets and of course - flowers.
If you'd like to help fund our activities, you can donate here. Donations through our websire are collected via the Centers for Social Justice, but earmarked for our exclusive use.
Our Chosen Path
We believe in direct dialogue between people, not through screens and social networks. Face-to-face conversations conducted person to person, as equals.
Our approach is neither confrontational nor condescending, but attentive and curious, based on meeting people "eye to eye" to earn their trust.
And so, every Friday morning, hundreds of "Let's Talk Democracy" volunteers set up dozens of stands across the country, near markets, entertainment centers, and other bustling places. There, they offer anyone who passes by a flower for Shabbat, and invite them to stop awhile to talk about life here in Israel - past, present and future.
In these conversations we listen a lot and talk little, emphasizing asking questions over making statements. We listen people's pain, both old and new, trying not to judge, win arguments, or make speeches.
But at the heart of every conversation - be it about education, leadership, the cost of living, or our children serving in the reserves - we invite everyone to think and talk about the core values of democracy, and how they relate to all of our daily lives.
The task is not easy, but it is immensely rewarding. We must often work through barriers of suspicion, reluctance, distrust, and deep reservoirs of anger and pain. But when we succeed – magic happens! Suddenly we see the formidable walls between us starting to dissipate; that more of us share many of the same concerns; that most of us here in Israel have much in common; that change is possible, and that - together - we are capable of imagining a better tomorrow for us all. And this revelation gives us hope.
Come join us!
Help us build the future - One conversation at a time
