Events
Past Events
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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.
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Jan
6
Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella Opens Shared Society Conference
The 2026 Givat Haviva conference for a shared society comes at a time when “we are more divided, more hateful, and more fearful of one another then ever. This government continues to incite us against each other,” Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella declared in her address opening the January 6 event, attended in person by more than 500 people. “This conference is taking place at a critical moment, a volatile moment, a moment in which the ground could slip from beneath our feet,” Sella said. “Therefore, it is also a moment when responsibility passes to us: to civil society, to local leadership, to educators – to demand from our politicians and leaders, to struggle, and to propose an alternative.” “A shared society is not a luxury,” Sella emphasized. “It is a condition for security, for democracy, and for a future in this land. Without equality, without fair law enforcement, and without civic and political partnership – there will be no future here.” Sella thanked the more conference participants “for choosing to come and say: we do not give up. This is the time for repair, recovery, and partnership.” Read Michal Sella’s full speech.
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Jan
6
Mohammad Darawshe: Shared Society Conference Reaffirms Partnership
“This conference is not merely an annual event. It is a declaration of will, the will to affirm that partnership between Arabs and Jews is not temporary, nor a secondary project, but rather a fundamental condition for building a safe and just future for all,” said Givat Haviva Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawsh in his address at the standing room only shared society conference opening session. “We need to reimagine our relationship with one another. We need the courage to see the other not as an adversary, but as a partner in a shared destiny,” he said. Darawshe emphasized that Israeli “society in all its components has proven that it is capable or preserving its social fabric and that it refuses to be drawn into internal violence. This fact alone gives us a genuine window of hope.” He thanked the speakers and audience “for your presence, for your commitment, and for your belief that the future can be better than the reality we are living in today.” Read Darawshe’s full speech.
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Jan
6
President Herzog Praises Givat Haviva in Keynote Address
The Center for Shared Society in Givat Haviva “for many years has proudly upheld the vision of partnership,” Israel President Isaac Herzog said in his address to the Givat Haviva conference for a shared society. “We must advance the vision of partnership as one that stands at the heart of Israeli statehood—accompanying us from the founding words of the Declaration of Independence. This is also the spirt of Givat Haviva.” Herzog expressed hope that “this important conference will continue the precious endeavor that has been taking place at Givat Haviva for many years and will deepen the bonds of partnership between Jews and Arabs—partnership based on justice, mutual respect, trust, and hope.” Thanking Givat Haviva leadership “for it many blessed initiatives in the field of partnership,” Herzog declared, “Partnership is our daily bread. Without it, neither we nor our children have a future in this pace, in our shared home.” Read President Herzog’s full address.
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Jan
6
VIDEO: Jonathan Lack Calls for Israel-Diaspora Partnership to Build Shared Society
Jonathan Lack Calls for Israel-Diaspora Partnership to Build Shared Society Friends of Givat Haviva Executive Director Jonathan Lack, addressing the Givat Haviva conference session “Rebuilding the Social Fabric and Renewing Hope for Shared Society,” encouraged Israeli Jews and Arabs to welcome the input, support and engagement of American Jews in efforts to build a shared society. “In the spirit of partnership Israeli Jewish leaders should recognize that the Jewish diaspora looks to Israel not only as a homeland, but as a moral reference point,” Lack declared. “A sustained commitment to a democratic Israel—grounded in equality, the rule of law, and mutual responsibility among all citizens—strengthens the ability of Jews around the world to advocate for Israel with integrity and confidence in increasingly polarized environments,” he stated. “Arab leaders and civic institutions in Israel should welcome partnering with American Jews,” he said. “Building relationships between Arab communal and municipal institutions in Israel with Jewish and Christian civic and educational organizations in the United States and Europe can help ensure that future generations of Israeli Arab and Jewish leaders know one another personally, trust each other professionally, and experience shared society as a lived reality.” Recalling how he first got involved with Jewish-Arab relations 40 years ago when he lived in Tira for two years after receiving training at Givat Haviva, Lack noted that he has seen what civilsociety partnerships can achieve over time. He urged American Jews, as well as pro-Israel Christians, to work with Israeli Arab and Jewish leaders “to advance communal relations that willstrengthen democracy in the country we all love.” Despite the extraordinary difficulties of recent years, especially since October 7 2023, Lack said he remains hopeful about Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. ”Healing does not mean forgetting pain. It means refusing to let pain define the future. Renewal requires action—repairing trust, revitalizing institutions, and reviving commitment. Partnership is how revitalization becomes real,” he said. “Israel is stronger and more resilient when all of its citizens, Jews and Arabs, are included in the work of building its future Supporting shared society initiatives is a long-term investment in Israel’s strength, stability, and moral credibility.”
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Nov
23
Mohammad Darawshe speaks at Temple Sinai of Glendale
On November 23, 2025, Mohammad Darawshe spoke at Temple Sinai of Glendale via zoom. He discussed his life as an Arab citizen of Israel and the work Givat Haviva is doing.
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Nov
9
Z3 Conference 2025
Executive Director, Jonathan Lack represented Friends of Givat Haviva at the Z3 conference in the Bay Area in early November.
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Sep
7
Through Other's Eyes @ Temple Ner Tamid
On Semptember 7, 11 AM to 12:30 PM, come to Temple Ner Tamid (936 Broad St. Bloomfield, NJ 07003) to see a photo exhibition feauturing four students: two Arab and two Jewish students of Israel. The students will speak briefly and present their photos.
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Sep
4
Through Other's Eyes @ ChappPAC
At 7 PM on September 4, 2025, come see the the exhibit and hear from two Arab and two Jewish Israeli teens, who participated in TOE, a program created by Givat Haviva. Through Others' Eyes (TOE) is a dialogue and community-building project that brings Arab and Jewish teenagers together. The teenagers learn photography skills as they explore questions of identity, nationality, religion, and community. TOE addresses the growing need for open channels of communication between Israeli Arab and Jewish youth who rarely, if ever, actually meet one another. The program uses photography to bring about better cultural understanding and respect through lessons, dialogue sessions, study tours, overnight seminars, and the production of a group photography exhibit. TOE intends to fundamentally change the way the participants relate to the conflict, to each other, and to their own ability to make a difference. The project allows participants to learn about each other and achieve a greater degree of understanding and openness. You can register for tickets using the given link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36677/production/1249465
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Sep
4
Duke Hosting Residency for Jewish and Arab Artists
Duke University is hosting five Israeli Jewish, Palestinian and Druze artists for a six-week residency aimed at developing understanding through the creation of artistic works from their unique and shared perspectives. The artists, graduate students at Givat Haviva, The Center for a Shared Society in Israel, will engage with Duke students, create and exhibit art on and off campus, and visit arts venues and arts organizations throughout the Triangle region. The residency was organized by the Provost’s Initiative on the Middle East, an ongoing effort to make space in the Duke campus community for rigorous and respectful debate in which differing perspectives are welcome on current and past conflicts in the region, with support from the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts and the Charles H. Revson Foundation.
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Sep
3
Through Other's Eyes @ Shames JCC
On September 3, 6:30-8:00 PM, discover how Jewish and Arab Israeli teens are building bridges through photography. Join us for a powerful conversation with teens from Givat Haviva—an organization promoting coexistence in Israel—as they reflect on a year-long project photographing each other’s communities and the relationships that grew along the way. After, explore the photography exhibit on display at the J. Register here or using the external link: shamesjcc.org/givat
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Aug
10
FoGH August 10th Briefing
Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella and Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawshe provided vital updates on current and planned activities and programs. Dikla Tomer Kaial, Director of the Education Department at the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace, presented Givat Haviva’s plans for the new school year. We heard from the alumni of the Through Others’ Eyes program, who will be coming to the US in September, about their experiences in the program and the impact it had on them.
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Jun
13
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Jun
12
NY Law Firm Hosts Michal Sella
Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton LLP, a prominent Atlanta based law firm hosted CEO Michal Sella for a breakfast meeting at the firm's New York City office. Attorneys and other guests heard a comprehensive briefing by Sella on Givat Haviva's pioneering history of deepening understanding between Israel's Arab and Jewish citizens and advancing shared society. Tamara Caldas, a Friends of Givat Haviva board member, is a Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton partner.
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Jun
9
AJC New England Hosts Michal Sella
During her June 2025 visit to Boston, Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella met with dozens of local Jewish community leaders at the American Jewish Committee (AJC) New England office. The evening event was co-sponsored by AJC, JCRC, and ADL.
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Feb
26
Givat Haviva Virtual Annual Conference 2025
Join us for Givat Haviva’s Annual Online Conference, a 90-minute online gathering where we’ll share powerful insights and discussions from our Givat Hviva conference held last month in Tel Aviv. The online conference will feature approximately 30 minutes of curated video highlights—including speeches, panels, and impactful moments from the event—all with English subtitles. Following the video presentation, we will engage in a live discussion, including the presentation of our conference poll translated into English. We also hope to welcome one of our featured speakers for additional insights and Q&A. This is a unique opportunity to experience the essence of our recent conference in Israel and to take part in the conversation about building a shared society among Israel’s Arab and Jewish citizens, peace by peace.
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Dec
15
The Palestinian Citizens in Israel in Time of Crisis With Mohammad Darawshe
Mohammad Darawshe, the Director of Strategy at the Center for Shared Society at Givat Haviva, will examine the main trends in Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and the implications of the October 7th events on the daily relations between the two sides. Mr. Darawshe is a leading expert on Jewish-Arab relations and has initiated many cross-sector Jewish- Arab partnerships, which he will describe in his talk.
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Dec
15
Mohammad Darawshe: Palestinians in a time of Crisis
Mohammad Darawshe Spoke at the Beth Emet Synagogue in Evanston IL on December 15th- Watch the recording of the talk here
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Dec
11
An Evening with Mohammad Darawshe in Tarrytown
Givat Haviva's Mohammad Darawshe will be speaking at The Ark on the Shames JCC in Tarrytown. The event will be on December 11th at 7 pm and will cost $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members.
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Dec
1
2024 End of year Zoom Briefing
Michal Sella, Executive Director, and Mohammad Darawshe, Director of Strategy, shared updates on Givat Haviva's impactful work promoting a shared society among Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel.
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Nov
17
Z3 Conference
For a decade now, the Z3 Conference has been the home for a new era of dialogue and discussion about the hardest-hitting subjects between our communities. This year more than ever, we need Jewish unity and to build bridges between communities in America and Israel. Join us in the largest conference in America that does just that.
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Nov
1
Modeling Shared Society in Israel
Mohammad Darawshe is a leading expert on Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. He has devoted much of his personal and professional life to building a model of respectful and sustainable shared society. The events of October 7 and the Israel-Hamas War have had a unique impact on Jewish and Arab-Palestinian communities across Israel, and have posed significant challenges for intergroup relations. Darawshe will be joined in conversation by Professor Masua Sagiv to discuss his vision for a way forward at this precarious juncture.
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Oct
31
Givat Haviva Bay Area Trip 2024
Please reach out to sbakerw@givathaviva.org if you will be in the area during this time and would be interested in attending an event
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Oct
28
Givat Haviva Atlanta Trip October 2024
Please reach out to sbakerw@givathaviva.org if you will be in the area during this time and would be interested in attending an event
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