News & Updates

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  August 19, 2026

  “Taken Out of Context” Through Others’ Eyes Exhibit

  The theme of the current Through Others’ Eyes (TOE) photography exhibition at the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace is defining freedom. “Sometimes, to see differently, you first need to take things out of the context you're used to seeing them in. Only then can you begin to see with other eyes,” says Jenan Halabi, TOE program coordinator and curator of the “Taken Out of Context” exhibition. “For a year, Jewish and Arab teens met, took photos, talked, listened, and observed each other’s worlds,” writes Halabi. “In a year when the reality around them repeatedly sharpened boundaries, identities and fears, they chose to create together. Not to erase the differences between them, but to meet them. Not to agree on everything, but to stay within the shared space. From this encounter, the possibility was born to see the other – and maybe even themselves – in a different light.” Read Halabi’s guide to the exhibition.

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  August 15, 2026

  OPED: Givat Haviva and the future of the Jewish State

  In his Times of Israel oped, Rabbi Asher Lopatin explains why he is engaged with Jewish-Arab relations in Israel, with Givat Haviva. “The Torah wants us to hold on strong to our Judaism, but at the same time the Torah wants us to have a close relationship with those who live in the land with us. The Torah indeed sees the ideal society at one where Jews and non-Jews live together in the Jewish state,” states Rabbi Lopatin, the Orthodox Vice Chair of the Friends of Givat Haviva National Rabbinic Cabinet and the rabbi at Kehillat Etz Chayim in Detroit. “Israel is blessed to have a great mix of resident non-Jews. Two million of them are Arab Muslims and Christians who are citizens of the Jewish State of Israel. To them Israel is home as well; it is their state and the society they are committed to building and strengthening,” writes Lopatin. “A Jewish state is a place where the Jews can feel completely comfortable and secure with being Jewish – in private and in public – and where they do not feel that any other religion limits their own Jewishness. However, a truly Jewish state should have no reason to fear having Muslims and Christians – Arabs, Druze, Bahai and others – living in the same state as full citizens. Not only not fear, but actually embrace the possibilities about how a diverse population can enhance our self-understanding as Jews and as lovers of the Jewish state.” Read Rabbi Lopatin’s full oped.

Recent Events

All Events

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  Jun

  18

  Givat Haviva June Briefing

  A webinar briefing from the Givat Haviva campus featured Mohammad Darawshe, Director of strategy; Barak Ruben, the new Director of the Shared Art Center; Ola Najami Yousef, Director of the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace; and Yuval Dvir, Head of the Younited international high school. Each presented important updates on recent activities in their areas and plans for expansion of programs. Listen to the briefing.
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  Jan

  19

  Special Briefing: Survey of Israeli Jews, Arabs

  On Monday, January 19th, 12 pm (ET) Friends of Givat Haviva held a special briefing on the new Givat Haviva survey of Israeli Jewish and Arab citizens. The annual Givat Haviva Partnership Index provides vital insights into public opinion on critical issues affecting Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and the work of Givat Haviva. Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella, Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawshe, and Adi Sidi, presented the survey results and discussed their implications for advancing Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. This special briefing was the first time the Givat Haviva 2026 Partnership Index was presented in English, and follows the Givat Haviva Conference for a Shared Society that took place on January 6.