|
September 2025 Friends of Givat Haviva Newsletter
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
Despite the ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank, the anguish of hostages still in captivity, and widening domestic divisions across Israel, our colleagues at Givat Haviva continue to inspire. Their tireless work reminds us—and all who care about genuine peace between Jews and Arabs—what constructive shared society initiatives can achieve even in the most difficult times. From classrooms and soccer fields to art studios and business forums, Givat Haviva demonstrates that coexistence is not just an aspiration but a daily practice.
As we enter the season of reflection of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we cannot give up hope that the future can be better for both Jewish and Arab communities throughout the Middle East. This newsletter highlights Givat Haviva’s remarkable efforts: opening the school year at the YOUNITED International School, surveying Israeli Arab and Jewish parents’ attitudes toward education for shared society, convening programs to counter racism in football, launching a women’s business forum, and celebrating young artists on the world stage. Each story reinforces the message that building a more just, equal, and shared society is both vital and possible.
Warmly,
Jonathan Lack
Interim Executive Director and Board Member
Friends of Givat Haviva
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
For two years now, students, children, and youth have been living through an extraordinary time. No one can escape the futile war in Gaza, which continues to cause indescribable civilian suffering and is destroying Israel. The fighting persists despite an overwhelming majority of the Israeli public opposing its continuation, while the hostages—who must return home—remain underground.
The youngest children know no other world. At Givat Haviva, we strive to offer students a vision of a different future, to provide hope for change, and to present a path toward a just and healthy Israeli society. We are committed to educating students in the values of equality, democracy, and shared society, demonstrating that this is both a vital and achievable goal.
We approach the opening of the school year at Givat Haviva's International School with optimism. Approximately 150 students—Jews, Arabs, and children from around the world—have arrived on campus and settled into their dormitory rooms. They have chosen a unique educational path unmatched anywhere in the country, expressing their faith in the possibility of shared life. We wish them a meaningful, successful, and fruitful school year, and we will work to ensure that the reality surrounding them becomes far more decent, equal, and just.
Our goal for this school year is to ensure—as educators and parents—that our education system responds meaningfully to current realities while educating students in the values of democracy, equality, and shared society. We need to support teachers and principals who refuse to abandon democratic values and morality, while facing degrading treatment and persecution from the Ministry of Education. We must ensure that every student in Israel understands what it means to live in a democracy, knows all the communities that comprise Israeli society, feels comfortable in cross-cultural encounters, and can communicate in the language of the other. This is our mission, and it deserves renewed attention as we begin this school year.
I wish all students, parents, and educators in Israel a good and better year. May this cursed war end, may the hostages return home, and may we have the opportunity to rebuild anew.
|
|
|
Michal Sella
Executive Director, Givat Haviva
מיכל סלע מנכ"לית
ميخال سيلع مديرة عامة
|
|
|
Jonathan Lack for The Times of Israel- 9/9/25
|
|
|
The Times of Israel- 9/2/25
|
|
|
The devastating effects of this difficult war are evident in the children who come to Givat Haviva daily. They ask profound questions about their future and the future of this place. As an educational organization, we felt compelled to ask parents about their views on their children's education system and what they feel is lacking. We surveyed parents through the Midgam Institute on whether schools are successfully providing educational responses to children living in a violent reality amplified by media and social networks. Given the deep alienation between communities, would they support teachers from the other society teaching their children? Do they value learning the other's language? Would they want their children to meet and befriend Jewish/Arab children? What about political discourse in schools, democracy studies, and freedom of expression?
The results reveal stark disparities. In Arab society, an overwhelming majority of parents supports strengthening democracy studies (91%), adding Jewish teachers to school staff (95%), and Hebrew language studies (98%). However, only about half of Jewish respondents (secular and traditional) support integrating Arab teachers, 70% value Arabic studies, and 86% want to strengthen democracy studies and education for equality. The ultra-Orthodox community displays concerning insularity: 98% oppose integrating Arab teachers in Jewish schools, 78% oppose strengthening democratic content, 86% show no interest in their children learning Arabic, and 98% would refuse to send their children to camps that include Arab children.
These findings are disturbing and for good reason. Jews and Arabs, secular and ultra-Orthodox communities, neither live side by side nor share the same education system. This reality, combined with years of ministers, Knesset members, and public figures deliberately inciting communities against each other while cynically exploiting our difficult circumstances, is clearly reflected in our survey results. The Education Minister has summoned school principals for clarification after they called for ending the war and returning the hostages. "We will not allow politicization of the education system," he declared, while simultaneously narrowing the already limited boundaries of discourse.
Our complete survey results are available on the Givat Haviva website and have generated significant media interest as the school year begins.
|
|
Israeli Football on the Fault Line
Our annual "Kicking Racism and Violence Off Football Fields" conference is about to take place. After a record-breaking season of racism and violence in stadiums, everyone knows that European authorities are closely monitoring Israeli football. We have already received our first "yellow card," the trust crisis between Israeli football and UEFA has deepened, and a second "yellow card" depends on enforcement, fan restraint, and procedural compliance. Has Israel taken these threats seriously? Beyond expected sanctions, our conference will discuss the program's findings and recommendations in light of current events, including the potentially devastating economic implications if Israeli clubs are excluded from UEFA competitions.
|
One Exhibition Closes, Another Opens
"I'm here to share my knowledge and advance each student as far as they wish to go. Once you enter, you can stay until you decide to retire. We have students who've been here for 20 years, and I have students who are 80 years old. The population is incredibly diverse. Though it's very difficult to gain admission, we still welcome new students every year." Avner Singer, legendary director of the Givat Haviva Ceramics School, described this unique microcosm to Eran Reilinger, author of "Zaman Kibbutz."
The Givat Haviva Art Gallery is set to open a solo exhibition by artist Fuad Agbaria, curated by Farid Abu Shakra, entitled "Roots." This veteran artist, who navigates between Mosmos and Umm al-Fahm, will present virtuoso paintings alongside delicate iron installations and the "Sabra" installation created especially for this exhibition. Agbaria, who also moves between identities and affiliations, invites viewers to wander through his roots.
|
|
|
Through Others' Eyes Photographers in the U.S.
On September 1, four remarkable teens from Israel arrived in the U.S. for the Through Others’ Eyes tour. They shared their photography and stories of building Jewish-Arab partnerships through three highly successful events in New York and New Jersey. Audiences at the Shames JCC in Tarrytown, the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, and Temple Ner Tamid in New Jersey were deeply moved by the teens’ unique perspectives and powerful message of coexistence their work conveys. The photo exhibits will remain on display at the Shames JCC and the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center for several weeks, offering visitors another chance to experience their inspiring work.
We are deeply grateful to all who made these events possible. A special thank you goes first to our board member Lloyd Robinson, who helped plan the tour, hosted the teens, and treated them to a Yankees game. We are also thankful to Pamela Faith Lerman and Rabbi Bob Gluck for their thoughtful planning, and to Larry and Lisa Westreich, who helped organize and generously hosted the teens for two days. Your hospitality, enthusiasm, and commitment to our mission helped make this tour such a meaningful success. We encourage you to stop by and see the exhibit for yourself!
|
|
Givat Haviva’s Artists at Duke University
Remember our young artists from the Givat Haviva artist residency program? Five alumni— Maria Khateb, Jonathan David, Ben Alon, Malak Manzour, and Baylassan Marjieh Karim—are at Duke University in North Carolina for six-week artists in residency program. An exhibit of artworks they created in various mediums at Givat Haviva opened on September 4, and they will make new pieces of art, while engaging in conversations with Duke students, during the residency.
“We are delighted to welcome these talented artists to Duke for this unique and important residency,” said Duke University Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “Art has always been a means for engaging and learning about one another and thus offers hope for moving past the conflicts that ravage our world. Our community looks forward to learning from this group, their works, and the diverse perspectives they represent.”
“The collaboration between Givat Haviva and Duke University is an important, high-quality, and significant partnership,” says Anat Lidror, Director of the Givat Haviva Shared Art Center. “It is taking place during an extreme period, both in Israel and the U.S., a time when universities are grappling with a one-dimensional perception of the situation in Israel. This is an opportunity to get to know and learn about the reality in Israel, and its complexities in a new way, through the eyes of young artists who believe in a shared society in Israel.”
|
|
Hebrew and Soccer Under the Scorching Sun
Tens of thousands of students returned to school after an extended break, made even longer by the conflict with Iran, hoping for a school year free from war and sorrow. Two groups of students from Jadida Makar and Jisr a-Zarqa used their extended break to improve their spoken Hebrew in camps designed to enhance their prospects for success in school, academia, the job market, and leadership roles. "Now I want two things: for the war to end and for my Hebrew to be so good that I feel confident speaking it everywhere," said Sadan, one of the participants. We wish both her dreams come true.
Another equally exciting camp took place at Givat Haviva this summer—a Soccer Camp for Peace. Jewish and Arab children from neighboring communities in BSMA and Pardes Hana participated, training, eating, and getting to know each other on the field. Children who had never exchanged a word, who grew up in an atmosphere of suspicion and endless conflict, discovered that soccer (along with age, Israeli identity, and music) creates powerful connections. As a mixed group, they learned from each other's playing styles and scored goals together. What a joy!
|
|
Businesswomen's Forum Launches at the Jewish-Arab Center
Thirteen independent businesswomen from Wadi Ara and the north will meet monthly on a journey of professional and personal empowerment. Beyond valuable networking opportunities, participants will learn about marketing, strategic planning, employee management, and crisis management, culminating in visits to inspiring businesses. Forum members will discover the power of collective action and strengthen their positions within their communities. Best of luck to all participants!
|
|
A Talented Young Generation
Anyone wanting to believe in a shared future should see the opening ceremony of the YOUNITED International School. In Givat Haviva's conference hall, students gathered with their parents—Jews, Arabs, and children from 22 countries including Ethiopia, the United States, Armenia, Venezuela, Rwanda, Vietnam, and Mexico—to begin the school year. Together, they will mature, listen to one another, coalesce as a community, develop leadership skills, and pursue the prestigious IB curriculum. We are proud of our students and confident they will become tomorrow's leaders.
|
|
|
|
