The Merchavim Institute

השנה שחלפה הראתה לכולנו עד כמה חשובה השותפות בינינו, כל אזרחי ישראל.
הלוואי שמתוך המשבר הנורא תצמח הזדמנות לבנות חברה הוגנת ומלוכדת יותר.
מאחלים ומייחלים שכולם יחזרו הביתה בשלום ושתהיה לכולנו שנה של תקווה.
צוות מרחבים

ያለፈው ዓመት በሁሉም የእስራኤል ዜጎች መካከል ያለው ትብብር ምን ያህል አስፈላጊ እንደሆነ ለሁላችንም አሳይቶናል።
ከአስፈሪው ቀውስ ወጥቶ ፍትሃዊ እና የበለጠ የተቀናጀ ማህበረሰብ ለመገንባት እድል እንዲፈጠር ሁላችንም እንመኛለን።
ሁሉም በሰላም ወደ ሀገሩ እና ወደ ቤቱ እንዲመለስ በተስፋ እየጠበቅን ነው።
በማድረ ታፍነው የተወሰዱት እና ወታደሮች በሰላም ይመለሳሉ።
ለሁላችንም የተስፋ አመት ይሁንልን።
መልካም ዓመት
ማሆን መርሃቪም

بيّنت لنا السنة الماضية مدى أهمّيّة الشراكة بيننا، نحن جميع مواطني إسرائيل
نأمل أن تنبثق من هذه الأزمة الرهيبة فرصة لبناء مجتمع أكثر عدلًا وتماسكًا
نتمنّى ونأمل أن يعود الجميع إلى ديارهم بسلام وأن تكون لنا جميعًا سنة مليئة بالأمل
طاقم مرحافيم- مجالات

This week, we had the privilege of participating in an inspiring event at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, alongside Ambassador Jacob Lew and the Embassy team, to celebrate the launch of America Hub Israel.

America Hub Israel in Jerusalem is an innovative space that sparks the imagination. It is an inviting environment where young people can promote values of a shared society and inclusion, fostering collaborations to strengthen social cohesion in Israel.
This partnership opens exciting new doors for civil society in Israel. Together with the Embassy, we can broaden dialogue and advance a diverse and equitable society for all citizens.

Thank you to the Ambassador and the team for their dedicated support of our shared goals and their ongoing interest in education and Merchavim’s work.

In the photo, alongside Ambassador Jacob J. Lew, are Dr. Einat Ronen, CEO of Merchavim, and Adi Gilboa, Head of Education at Merchavim, proudly representing Merchavim at the event.
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem

Leadership Change at Merchavim: Michal Pinchuk is stepping down as CEO after four years of dedicated service.

A huge thank you to Michal for leading the organization through such a significant and challenging period, for always pushing us forward, and best of luck in your future endeavors!

We warmly welcome Dr. Einat Ronen as our new CEO. Good luck, Einat! 🚀

Here is Michal’s heartfelt farewell letter:

Dear Partners and Colleagues,
In the coming days, I will be concluding my four-year tenure as CEO of Merchavim, and Dr. Einat Ronen will be succeeding me in this role. I am passing the baton into Einat's trusted hands with a peaceful heart, fully confident that she will lead the organization towards continued growth and deepen its impact in the social field.
It has been a significant and challenging period, and I would like to thank you for your unwavering support and valuable contributions during my time here. Merchavim could not operate without your partnership; you are the backbone of our vital work, especially during these challenging times.
Thanks to your support and the dedication of our professional team, over the past four years we have strengthened and developed our existing activities, adapted to meet evolving needs, and expanded our programs into new areas. As part of this growth, we have entered the field of informal education, launching an incubator to train coordinators working in youth organizations on shared society principles, in collaboration with the Council of Youth and Children's Organizations. We are also currently working with six municipalities, in partnership with JDC-Ashalim, to combat biases and prejudices among municipal employees towards people of Ethiopian descent. Additionally, we have successfully integrated Shared Paths, a social tourism program designed to bridge social gaps between Jewish and Arab communities and create space for Arab culture in Israel, into Merchavim’s core programming.
The past four years have brought unprecedented challenges to Israeli society, including the COVID-19 pandemic, repeated election cycles, a constitutional revolution, and most devastatingly, the ongoing war which broke out on October 7. This reality has also impacted us as a diverse team working with a confused, frightened, angry, and anxious public. Despite this, thanks to your unwavering support and the trust you have placed in the organization and the team, I am leaving the Merchavim Institute stronger and more stable than ever before, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each and every one of you. I wholeheartedly believe in the values promoted by Merchavim and in its extensive work, and I hope you will continue to support the institute's activities in the coming years.
With hope for better days and the safe return of all the hostages,

Michal

Meet Kamal Agbaria, the director of the Arab Teacher Integration into Hebrew Schools program at Merchavim.

Kamal is a true Jaffa native and a trailblazer at heart. From a young age, he was deeply involved in social activism. He was the first Arab citizen to serve as the chair of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Student Council, led the Ajami Neighborhood Committee, became the first Arab director of a community center in Tel Aviv, and in 2014, received the Mayor's Award for "Shared Living and Bringing Hearts Together" in his role as the chairman of the Re'ut-Sadaka village board. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Director for Outdoor Facilities at Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and as an advisor to the Mayor on Arab community affairs.

Kamal is an expert in leading and facilitating cross-cultural processes to integrate Arab teachers into Hebrew schools. With a firm and loving hand, he prepares the teachers for the challenges they will face, sharing his extensive experience. He encourages the teachers to bring their Arab identity into the school and supports young teachers as they navigate complex situations.

Kamal's role model (besides his father) is Nelson Mandela, who inspires him with his words: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

We can learn a bit about Kamal from the words of non-formal education supervisors who recently met with him to hear about his personal story and vision for Arab-Jewish relations:
"We met a special and wise leader that youth must encounter."
"You are truly a great pride, a personal example of someone who has dreams and a symbol of coexistence and unity."
"You are an inspiring figure. You have triumphed over everything despite everything. Your appreciation for your father is touching. You possess high self-awareness and social awareness. I'm sure you will continue to influence and lead changes in Israeli society."
"His personal story allows everyone to gain renewed strength, showing that anyone can progress and succeed in life if they just believe in themselves, follow the right path, and work in education with a sense of mission and dedication."

At Merchavim, we have the privilege of benefiting from his talents, abilities, and tremendous motivation to shape a fairer society in everything he does.

What an inspiration from teacher Abir from Tayibe! 🌟

These are not conceptual stock images, but authentic photos taken by the fourth-grade students from Kfar Saba under Abir’s guidance. She asked the children to go outside, explore the concept of 'unity' through play, and capture photos representing it. The results are incredible!

Those little hands are so sweet and hold so much hope. Thanks to the diverse identities they are exposed to, we hope this generation will grow up with an inclusive mindset and be part of a fairer society.

Thank you to Abir and the fourth-grade students for this important and touching reminder. 💖📸

🌟 Honoring Jerusalem Day and Memorial Day for Ethiopian Jews who perished on their journey to Jerusalem, we proudly present a special initiative by our community of Ethiopian-Israeli teachers. 🌟

Our mission is to raise awareness of the heroic and tragic story of the Ethiopian Jewish aliyah. This journey, filled with acts of bravery, daring, and tragedy, saw the loss of 4,000 lives. For those who survived and their descendants, sharing this painful history is not always easy, but their sense of mission compels them to open up and share their personal and communal trauma.

Two months ago, 18 dedicated Ethiopian-Israeli teachers embarked on a fascinating journey. They participated in a storytelling workshop led by Hamutal Gouri, where they acquired the tools to narrate their stories to different age groups. Today, they are implementing what they learned, sharing their personal and familial stories with school students and colleagues.

🗣️ Gideon Ayek, a teacher from the Ethiopian community, shares: "Today, I had the honor of giving a lecture to 11th graders. The discussion focused on the bravery and dedication of Ethiopian Jews, who held steadfast faith in the promise 'I will carry you on eagle's wings.' Their faith and determination remained unshaken even when all gates were closed. Their pursuit of the dream created great but lesser-known heroes whose spirits inspired the community on this remarkable journey."

We are proud of our teachers, our true champions, who create meaningful connections within Israeli society by sharing their stories.

May the memory of those who didn't realize their dream be blessed. 🙏

On June 13, Heads of State from Italy, Germany, Japan, Canada, UK, US, France, and EU will meet for the G7 Summit to address global issues. Join us, and more than 250 other civil society organizations, in calling on them to prioritize peacebuilding at the G7 Apulia Summit.

How can a teacher integrate discussions on multiculturalism into a science lesson? 🌟
To find the answer, you need to join the advanced course "Intercultural Ambassador" designed for Arab teachers integrating into Hebrew schools.

Last week, Hikmat Moasi, the course instructor, led two fascinating peer-learning sessions on integrating Arab culture and language into various subjects. These sessions focused on diversifying teaching methods, incorporating creativity, art, digital tools, research, and meaningful outdoor learning.

🔹 Hikmat Moasi shares: "I believe in creating engaging and intriguing lessons rather than frontal teaching. It’s important to involve students in presenting the educational content attractively and uniquely. Our role as Arab teachers in Hebrew schools is to bring our culture and language into the school and classrooms, at any class we teach. This role has a significant impact on changing attitudes and stereotypes, both for us and for the students and school staff."
Hikmat knows what she's talking about - not only does she have 13 years of teaching experience in Hebrew schools, but she is also full of creative ideas and invaluable advice on creating meaningful mutual acquaintance that enriches students, staff members, and Arab teachers themselves.

The sessions were held at the Arab College of Education in Haifa and Al-Qasemi College, our partners in this journey and endeavor. The participating teachers actively shared with each other knowledge and tools, in addition to what they received from Hikmat and Kamal, the program director.

Thank you to our partners, thanks to whom the program is developing and thriving:
The Ministry of Education משרד החינוך , קרן אדמונד דה רוטשילד - The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation IL , U.S. Embassy Jerusalem . Together, we are making strides in enriching our educational environment with multicultural perspectives. Let's continue to foster understanding, diversity, and collaboration in our schools! 🌍✏️📚

Cohort 10 of the Social Cohesion Leadership Program Successfully Concludes🤩!

Last night, we celebrated the inspirational conclusion of the 10th cohort of the Social Cohesion Leadership Program. During this special evening, we were delighted to discover the artistic talents among our participants - thank you, Tamar and Inbar, for sharing your gifts with us❤️

Bader Abbas, a representative of Merchavim who participated in the program, shared: "This program has managed to instill optimism and drive, sparking initiatives that we will undoubtedly hear more about." The program indeed fostered cross-sector collaborations and significant social initiatives that will impact Israeli society in various fields.

We congratulate all the new graduates and wish you great success in implementing your new social initiatives. We recognize the importance of each and every one of you in creating a cohesive, diverse, fair, and inclusive society, and we are thrilled to welcome you to our vibrant alum community!

It might not be a coincidence that yesterday also marked International Diversity Day, symbolizing the values that we at Merchavim strive to promote daily, which are at the core of this program.

A heartfelt thank you to Ilana, our legendary program director, who leads the program with a steady and sensitive hand, giving each cohort its unique colors.
A special thank you to Mike Prashker, the program's visionary founder, who dreamed it and brought it to life. Although this is the last cohort to have his close guidance, his vision will continue to inspire the program always🙏
Many thanks to our program partners – the Ted Arison Family Foundation and Ruach Tova.

عيد فصح مجيد🌸
מאחלים חג פסחא שמח לכל חברינו ושותפינו הנוצרים.
We wish all our friends and partners a happy and blessed Easter, filled with joy and hope🕊

Ramadan brings out the best in our communities! 🌙
Through our Arab Teacher Integration program, our dedicated educators are fostering a culture of warmth and compassion during this sacred month for Muslims. Their creativity knows no bounds – from engaging in educational games and sampling traditional delicacies to adorning classrooms with vibrant decorations that echo the spirit of Ramadan.
Teacher Asraa engaged her students with fun activities she prepared and even made a connection to the Purim holiday as her students' names dressed up... 😊
Teacher Noor and her students worked together to adorn their classroom, turning it into a learning experience that extends beyond the traditional curriculum. The kids not only mastered the art of decoration but were also inspired to apply these lessons to Jewish cultural celebrations, like Sukkot.
And we can't overlook the heartwarming surprise that Teacher Saliman's students crafted for him - personalized Ramadan greetings that deeply touched his heart, reminding us of the power of appreciation and connection.
May all our teachers enjoy a Ramadan filled with endless blessings and happiness! 🌙💖
The Arab Teacher Integration program is a joint venture of Merchavim and The Ministry of Education for integrating Arab teachers into Jewish schools and enriching the educational landscape for all our students.

U.S. Embassy Jerusalem משרד החינוך קרן אדמונד דה רוטשילד - The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation IL נציבות שוויון הזדמנויות בעבודה

Check out the exciting news from the Rigler Education Campus in Netanya! 🌟
They're making strides to increase the number of Ethiopian-Israeli students excelling in math units 4 and 5!

As part of a pilot program to tackle bias against Ethiopian Israelis (EI), the school dove into an extensive process aimed at boosting EI students' math performance. A dedicated task force delved into the data and noticed a concerning trend: very few EI students were reaching excellence levels in math. They pinpointed crucial decision points, especially when students are sorted into different math groups and tracks at the start of ninth grade.

After thorough deliberation and awareness-building among the staff, facilitated by Merchavim, a clear action plan emerged: a summer preparatory program focused on strengthening math skills before these critical decision points.

Let's give a round of applause to the principal and staff for their commitment to student success! 🎉

This initiative is part of a pilot program supported by the Merchavim Institute, הג'וינט - The Joint and The Headquarters for the Integration of Ethiopian Israelis in the Prime Minister's Office.
Huge thanks to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation for their ongoing partnership and support in making this program a reality! 🙏

"Ramadan Nights" has been canceled this year.

An article about Merchavim's Shared Paths program was published in Haaretz today. From the article:

This year, for the first time since The Shared Paths program was founded a decade ago, "Ramadan Nights" has been canceled throughout the country. The feeling is that, during the war in Gaza, the tension is too great; Ramadan this year is different from all others.

This year, it was impossible to hold the visits, says Ilanit Haramati, the program manager at Shared Paths. "We understand that Ramadan won't look the same this year. … Many communities have decided that there will be no joyous events and celebrations this year," she says.

"The feeling is that everything is sensitive and complicated. It's not clear that it's right to enter a mosque as a visitor now, or even wander with a group of Jews on the street in an Arab community.
"We'll hold several events on Zoom. We'll broadcast live from the plaza outside the mosque in Jaljulya. We'll broadcast the moment the fast is broken and allow questions and answers. Most Israelis have no idea what the month of Ramadan means other than that there's a fast. In Arab society, too, people are apprehensive about the situation.

"Each year about 2,000 people would take part in our events, but we've never been in such a long and painful situation. Most people lack the willingness or desire. The 'day after' will come sometime, and we're not giving up."

A link to the full article is in the first comment.

Resilience, Social Cohesion and Democracy: The Three Keys to Rebuilding Israel After 7 October.

An important article by Mike Prashker, founder of Merchavim, on the connection between personal and community resilience and social cohesion. The article details eight conditions conducive to social cohesion that strengthen individual and communal resilience. This is a strategic discussion that calls for collaborations that will better rebuild a cohesive Israeli society.

Read the full article:

Resilience, Social Cohesion and Democracy: The Three Keys to Rebuilding Israel After 7 October Mike Prashker founded MERCHAVIM: The Institute for the Advancement of Shared Citizenship in Israel in 1998 and directed the NGO for 17 years before joining the Board of Directors. He is the author of ...

When was the last time you paused to think?

Yesterday, we, the Merchavim team, put aside everything that "must be done" in our intensive daily activities and paused to think about what we were doing.

Jenny Cohen excellently facilitated on behalf of SVF and taught us about measurement and evaluation using the logical model. This raised thoughts and questions, such as how to fine-tune the activities and outputs in our programs so that they would advance us towards creating the desired impact. We practiced using the new tools that we had received to evaluate our programs, learned that precise definitions could regulate the mind, understood the limitations of measurement, and left with the motivation to examine and improve our work using the model. As you can see in the picture, Moshe took the pages from the clipboard to continue working at home. He was named the outstanding student of the day!

Many thanks to The Social Venture Fund for Jewish-Arab Equality and Shared Society for investing in our team with this meaningful learning day, and to Shatil - An Initiative of the New Israel Fund for generously hosting us in their Haifa offices with the pine trees in the window.

We would like to extend our best wishes to the second cohort of the Shared Society Incubator, who embarked on the first session of their training course today!
In spite of numerous challenges and individual concerns arising from these complex days, this diverse and outstanding group demonstrates resilience by starting a journey dedicated to Israeli society.

Cultivating a shared society, especially in informal youth education, can feel like sowing seeds in a desert. Michal Pinchuk, the executive director of Merchavim, shared a poignant quote from human rights activist Moncef Marzouki during her welcome address: "... The image of the verdant desert was etched in my memory as a child. Consequently, it is clear to me that it must be sowed! Even in the desert, it must be sowed! And that's how I see my role. I sow, and if it rains tomorrow, good. And if not, at least the seeds are already there. For what will happen if I do not sow? What will grow? Stones? This is the attitude I choose: to sow in the desert."

The inaugural session of the second cohort in the Shared Society Incubator kicked off with an insightful tour of the "Local Testimony Exhibition." This exhibition captures the core conflicts in Israeli society through impactful photojournalism and documentation. The significance of choosing this exhibition as the starting point resonates deeply with the Incubator, given the diverse backgrounds of its participants, representing Israeli society—Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, spanning both sides of the political spectrum.

A big shout-out to our partner, The Israeli Council for Youth Organizations, and heartfelt thanks to all supporters who've been with us since the pilot stage - The Bloom Foundation, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, and The Gimprich Foundation.

Good luck to all the participants of the second cohort, and thank you to all the organizations they represent. Together, we can help build a shared society based on values of inclusion and fairness.

On the fourth candle of Hanukkah, International Human Rights Day, we held an enriching and empowering learning day for the teachers of the Arab Teacher Integration in Jewish Schools program.
The common thread between these three events is the light: Hanukkah is the festival of lights, human rights preserve the light, and the Arab Teacher Integration program brings the light. As U.S. Embassy Representative Omer Benzioni said today in his welcoming remarks, the program is the practical implementation of essential values: equal opportunities at work and the promotion of a shared society.
The value of heroism is also a central value of Hanukkah. The same applies to the program's teachers, who deal with complex challenges daily, especially during the war. Our heroic teachers do not break; they continue their path with faith and courage, advancing us and the future generation toward a fairer shared society.
Thank you to all our outstanding teachers, you fill our hearts and the hearts of your many students with Light!

Many thanks to Hanoch Piven for the fun workshops, to Mohammed Darawshe from Givat Haviva for the fascinating lecture, to Hakaya Playback - حكايا بلايباك for the enriching experience, and Quartetoukan קווארטטוקאן كوارططوقان for the music and fun. Thank you to the Merchavim team, which organized an exemplary day: Adi, Kamal, Hikmat, Hanan, Fatmeh, and Suheir. Thank you to our partners in the Ministry of Education משרד החינוך and to their representative, Dr. Tareq Morad, who warmly congratulated the teachers, to Omer Benzioni and Manal from the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, which has supported the program for many years, thanks to Ahmed Moasi of קרן אדמונד דה רוטשילד - The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation IL - a faithful partner who was unable to attend this time, thank you to all our partners: The Arkin Family Foundation, The Alan B. Slifka Foundation, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission נציבות שוויון הזדמנויות בעבודה.

In these dark days, when the delicate partnership between Arab and Jewish citizens in Israel is shaken by the words and actions of extremists from both sides, it is heartwarming to see such a wonderful letter written by Jewish parents to their children’s Arab teacher. The letter was presented together with a homemade cake to Samar earlier today.

Since the morning of Saturday 7th of October, many of the teachers from our “Arab Teachers Integration in Hebrew Schools” program (ATI) are apprehensive about leaving the safety of their homes, traveling on roads, and meeting students, parents and colleagues at school.

We would like to say a big thank you to Samar, a teacher from the ATI program for teaching her students what a shared society really is. Thank you to the parents for reaching out, especially now, to Samar and showing just how much you appreciate her.

The letter (translated):

“In these troubled and painful days when we are all searching for small crumbs of comfort, you succeeded, in your special way, in creating such a place for us. This is a small token of our appreciation, from all the children and parents and a way for us to say thank you!
Thank you very much for your being so committed to our children after such a short space of time as their teacher, and thank you for attempting to create some kind of routine together whilst being so amazingly sensitive. You have not stopped, at any point, to worry about, to listen to, to advise, to teach, to guide and to give a hug. Every time the children meet you, whether in person or on Zoom, they come away smiling and full of good experiences.
Thank you very much for the sense of security and care you have given and continue to give to all of us during this period. We take none of this for granted and we are all so appreciative.

Wishing that the quiet will return and that we should all know peaceful and safe days.

First-grade children and parents"

The Merchavim Institute solemnly extends its heartfelt condolences and support to all our staff members, program participants, partners, and friends who have been affected by the horrendous and brutal acts of terrorism in the south of Israel. With each passing day, the magnitude of the horrific atrocities becomes clearer and clearer. So many families in Israel, including those within the Merchavim family, have lost loved ones or are still waiting to hear news about the fate of their family members.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Hagit Mishkin, our valued partner in the Ethiopian-Israeli Teachers Integration Program and for all the abducted and missing. Never a moment passes when we are not praying for their safe return.

Our thoughts and prayers also go out to all those protecting our borders, both soldiers and civilians.

During these challenging times, and in those that lie ahead, we stand in solidarity with all groups of Israeli society, offering our support to help emerge from these difficult times stronger and more united.

Just a month ago, she completed Merchavim's educational leadership training course for Arab teachers who teach in Hebrew schools and has already advanced to an educational leadership position! Mai Da'if, an English teacher from the "Tzavta" school in Harish, has accepted a position as an instructor in the Ministry of Education's program for early childhood teachers 'Enjoy English.'
Mai's words: "For the last five years, I have been accompanied by the Arab Teacher Integration program staff, and recently I underwent an educational leadership course that really contributed to me and will help me in my new role. I am sharing these words with you to encourage more Arab teachers who teach in schools in the Jewish sector and to show them that it is possible to advance and get more positions in addition to being professional teachers."
Dear Mai, it has been our privilege to accompany you on your impressive way over the past five years! We congratulate you and wish you much success💐
Hadassah foundation U.s Embassy Jerusalem

Place: Jaljulia
Time: Right now, when the country is up in arms
The people: Forty Jewish educators who work with young American Jews in American Jewish communities, who came to Israel at the initiative of the Jewish Federations of North America to understand the different narratives in Israeli society and how these perspectives are expressed in daily life, government actions, civil unrest, economic activity, and more.
As part of Merchavim's Shared Paths program, we were honored to host this delegation and present them with a panel representing Arab society, its diverse perspectives, and its interface with Jewish society. A panel of authentic people, who do not try to beautify reality, but present it in all its complexity. The panelists were Dr. Amani Jaber, a linguist who pointed out the language challenges among children and young people in Arab society, Alaa Kashkush, an English teacher from Kalansawa, who teaches at a school in Rosh HaAyin, Ahmad Esawi, who works with at-risk youth in Arab society, Raed Abu Ria, a senior banking official who guides the Shared Paths tours out of a sense of mission, and Yara, a local teenager going into 12th grade. They dealt with issues in education, economics, criminal organizations, young people leaving, socioeconomic status, etc. The visit ended with time at the beautiful mosque of Jaljulia.
We believe the delegation members received an intensive look into Arab society and will return to their communities with a broad perspective on Israel's diverse society.
Thank you to JFNA and its partners for this opportunity to host the delegation!