About Tzav Pius

Tzav Pius, established in 1996 by the Avi Chai Foundation, began as an informational campaign following the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin during a period of deep national divide. The responses to the campaign demonstrated that many people in Israeli society view conciliation and dialogue within the Jewish public as an existential need. These responses led to an increased effort to establish projects for the advancement of dialogue and attentive listening in Israeli society. Within a short time, Tzav Pius was transformed from a slogan posted on road signs to an organization that initiates, produces and encourages activities nationwide: dozens of encounter and dialogue programs between people at all points along the religious-secular spectrum; informational campaigns and advertising in the media; television and radio productions, and more.

What does the expression ”Tzav Pius” mean?

The expression ”Tzav Pius,” literally meaning ”conciliation order,” is a play on words on the Hebrew ”draft order” (tzav gius). Originating as a catchy advertising slogan, our name also reflects the perspective that it is necessary to recruit all of our resources for conciliation in the same way that we recruit broadly for our national defense. Not tomorrow, only when the rift poses a direct threat to our very existence, but every day, for each one of us. If we remain aware of the need for dialogue and listening to the other, and if we succeed in turning this awareness into respectful behavior and attentiveness, we will be able to prevent the next rift.

Conciliation according to our view is the incessant striving for peace between people with conflicting perspectives. But conciliation does not mean relinquishing one’s positions, certainly not in an embrace that blurs our differences. True conciliation is that which encourages a range of perspectives in society, and the existence of debates between the conflicting perspectives. Most importantly, conciliation encourages dialogue between people who are in disagreement, because only true conciliation can assure that the gaps and the debates do not become a rift.

It may sound easy, pleasant, and conflict-avoidant. But the truth is that choosing ”conciliation” is a most difficult choice. It is easier to go to extremes, to see things in black and white, to discredit other positions in order to make room for one’s own view. The true challenge is the one we propose: to act responsibly, to challenge stereotypes, to not give in on your position but to listen even when it is extremely difficult – because different opinions can and should exist side by side. It is these differences that enrich our society and enable it to contain within it so many shades. This path – the path of encounter, discourse, complex views – is difficult but more worthwhile. Only in this manner will we be able to demonstrate true social responsibility, in which individuals and groups see those around them, and don’t retreat into themselves.

We at ”Tzav Pius” are trying to find ways of turning the social perspective that exists at the base of our existence, into action. We aspire to enable as many people as possible in Israeli society to gain experience in the encounter with the ”other.” Sometimes, the encounter is long and significant, and sometimes it is only a peek into an unfamiliar world – we believe that every encounter contributes something to the social change that we are encouraging. We invite you as well to take part in our activities and to suggest new ideas that will move us all one step further in the path to dialogue