The Shakla& Tariya House
From Tradition to Inspiration in the Art of Negotiation
Shakla & Tariya
Shakla & Tariya means give and take, and is the ancient Aramaic term for negotiation. The literal meaning is taking (shakla) and throwing (tariya), a method that reflected studying the Talmud with a study partner. This approach symbolizes communication between different factors while recognizing the divisions that come from living side by side. The Shakla & Tariya House is an homage to the original concept of give and take, which expresses a culture of discussion, of exchanging ideas within a divide – within a division of ideas, attitudes and opinions.
The sign at the at the gate of the Shakla & Tariya House, designed in an Armenian style, gives people entering the house an idea about what they will discover inside. After a few steps on the garden path to the door, their attention will be drawn to the original artworks hanging on the walls of the house made by Arman Darian, who was born in Armenia,
The unique artwork, commissioned for the Shakla House, was handpainted on ceramic tiles. Creations of mutual respect harmoniously combine traditional Armenian decorative art with verses and symbols from traditional Jewish culture, such as the seven species mentioned in the Bible.
“A person is a product of his homeland. I was educated, since my childhood, to appreciate handmade work because I loved the diversity of Oriental culture,” explains Michael Tsur. “After knowing Arman for many years, I feel that we are like two brothers who were born to different parents. I chose Arman because of my profound appreciation for his art, authenticity, genius and virtuosity. When I look at his artwork with the seven species, it moves me,” says Michael. “The choice of this theme was not accidental. It is one of the first foundations of Shakla & Tariya – abundance and the generous spirit of having. This is an approach to negotiation of giving and receiving, not a closed fist – negotiating not with a sense of competition, of having or not having, but with an awareness of abundance, generosity, a wealth of creativity and a keen awareness of the day after.“
After many years of conducting, advising and teaching negotiation, Michael realized his dream and founded the Shakla & Tariya House about ten years ago, the first center of its kind in the world for innovative knowledge in negotiation training and support for organizations, companies and individuals in conducting themselves in challenging realities, through presentations, workshops and personal support sessions, in Israel and internationally. The center provides a unique, exclusive, multidisciplinary training program, the NSP program, for specializing in the profession of negotiation and becoming a certified negotiation specialist.
Michael Tsur was born in Jerusalem in 1963. His father’s family was from Germany, and his mother’s was from Yemen. In those days, such an ethnic mixture was considered very unusual. Michael grew up in a mixed neighborhood, something like an ethnic mosaic, with secular families and ultra-Orthodox families. Eventually, he also got to know the Arab population in the markets of Jerusalem, including the alleys of the Old City with its mixture of cultural and religious differences. This exposure gave Michael, already in his childhood, a wealth of opportunities to practice negotiating, and an understanding of the need to behave with someone from another culture with self awareness and to communicate in a way that is effective, sensitive and flexible.
The interior design of the Shakla House, which includes traditional elements, corresponds metaphorically to Michael’s childhood and to his worldview of the image of the negotiator and to the holistic and global training process that he created.
The spaces in the house and the works of art in them, represent Michael’s personal culture and invite us to look inside ourselves.
Whether we connect to the seven species decoration and the select fruits of the land of Israel, which in Jewish tradition symbolize spiritual abundance and completion, or enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere that evokes memories of wandering in the alleys of the Old City, we can admire the artistry of the original artworks that merge cultures in a unique and inspiring way, and appreciate the gift of handpainted ceramic cups with the first name of each participant on each of them, for their sense of intimacy and hospitality.
Maybe we will connect to the authenticity of the esthetics and external appearance as a reflection of the internal values of the Shakla House – humility, respect for others and transparency, which advance negotiation, and consideration for the day after.
“Painting on ceramics is a dynamic art that emerges only after firing. You can see a similarity between the transformation of the artwork to the negotiation process, from exposure and fear of the unknown to feeling ready to enter the fire of the kiln. The most important characteristic to have is curiosity along with a desire to learn, to observe the different manners and customs, to continue asking questions, clarifying and learning about another person’s way of thinking.”
Michael Tsur, Atty. Founder, Shakla & Tariya
The Tsur Method at Shakla & Tariya promotes an alternative, conscious dialogue with inclusion and cultural integration. The method advocates the ability of negotiators to be good listeners and to test their assumptions against those of another without being judgmental regardless of their impact on the dimensions of emotion and identity.
This is a mental attitude that already includes readiness for negotiating, preferring a multiplicity and diversity of ideas, openness and inclusion for the attitudes of partners to the negotiation, and observation not only of the limited past but of seeing a future that is open to possibilities.
Arman Darian – The Seven Species Artist
Arman is a world renowned Armenian artist who creates breathtaking visual worlds in ceramics with details and colors.
Arman came to Israel in 1989 and has been working in his Jerusalem studio since then. His artworks relate to different topics such as the Bible, history and nature, which he produces on useful wares, fountains and furniture, as well as monumental panels for walls.
