Who We Are

Welcome! We are a growing community of people who support the healing of individuals, communities and the planet through the practice of Circlework, a group process developed by Jalaja Bonheim, Ph.D. that uses circle gatherings to awaken diverse groups of people to their unity and interconnectedness. 

Our mission is to make the transformative power of Circlework available to the world, especially to those working in service of global peace and healing.

The Institute for Circlework serves as a hub for people involved in Circlework, both in the United States and around the world. Since 2001, we have been providing scholarships for participants in the Circlework Leadership Training. Today, ministers, social activists, counselors, psychologists, and teachers are applying the gifts of Circlework in schools and hospitals, churches and community centers.

Since 2005, we have been sponsoring circles for Jewish and Palestinian women in Israel. We believe that connection and communication are the only viable alternatives to bloodshed and violence. For a first-hand glimpse of Circlework in Israel, please watch our DVD documentary Circlework: A Path to Peace in the Middle East. This year, we plan to bring a number of Jewish and Arab leaders to the United States to participate in the Circlework Leadership Training.

Beginning now, we hope to offer an annual international training for women leaders from around the world, who will come to the United States to study Circlework, and will then take what they learn back to their own communities. In 2011, we hosted our first Afghan woman in the Circlework Leadership Training, Hasina Safi.

We hope you find our site inspiring and informative, and invite you to become involved in our work!