October 3, 2024
Facing Challenges, Building Bridges: Our Programs in Action
A Message from Givat Haviva's CEO Michal Sella
Dear Friends,
As I write to you this month, the military campaign has broadened and escalated, and the war in Gaza has receded from the public eye, as have the fact that the hostages are still being held captive.
These are days of uncertainty, days through which we never know if the fighting will intensify, or if we might begin the process of a mediated ceasefire. Regardless, we are striving for a healthier Israeli society. We are trying to assure that if the moment comes when we gain a fragment of the leadership of which we are worthy, that Israeli society itself will be strong enough to recover.
The update below introduces some of the new programs at Givat Haviva. Our Narratives Program digs deeply into the different national narratives that have evolved since October 7, 2023. Participants from Arab society immersed themselves in the Jewish narrative, and Jewish participants will soon plunge into the Palestinian-Arab narrative in Israel.
Kicking out Racism, a program that has moved to Givat Haviva from the New Israel Fund, addresses the increasing phenomenon of racism and violence on soccer fields. We are working to draw in as many fans, groups, and government entities as possible to counteract this.
The International School at Givat Haviva opened the school year under conditions of unprecedented complexity and is conducting a vibrant environment for the Arab and Jewish Israeli teenagers and international students.
Many Givat Haviva employees, both Jews and Arabs, lost loved ones – family and friends – on October 7 and since then in the war in Gaza and in northern Israel. Many are in their homes under missile attacks, yet working to promote democracy, mutual understanding and empathy, and striving to build a shared society. We draw hope and strength from our work in the field and from the ability to see Israelis actively choosing shared society, resisting the reality around them. I invite you to join us in this mission.
Michal Sella
Executive Director, Givat Haviva
מיכל סלע מנכ"לית
ميخال سيلع مديرة عامة
Join Friends of Givat Haviva at the Z3 Conference in Palo Alto
We're excited to announce that we'll be exhibiting at the Community Organizations Fair at the Z3 Conference on November 17th to experience a full day of speakers and vital conversations. This is a unique opportunity for you to connect with local Jewish organizations, schools, and community members.
Stop by our booth to learn more about how we’re shaping the future of the Palo Alto Jewish community. Whether you're interested in our programs, partnerships, or ways to get involved, we'd love to meet you!
Can’t make it in person? You can still register to join the opening plenary online for free. We hope to see you there!
Cause For Concern Data Shows Arab Students' Low Level of Hebrew Proficiency
A study conducted by the Knesset Research and Information Center (RIC), showed a worrisome trend: one-third of the students in the Arab education system in Israel demonstrate a low level of proficiency in Hebrew, comparable to students' levels nine years ago. According to the Ministry of Education, these levels of performance are an obstacle to occupational and academic integration into Israeli society.
From 2018 to 2023, there has been a decline of 12% in students reporting exposure to the Hebrew language outside of the school walls. Similar declines are reported about their independent capability in relation to the language, as well as their enjoyment and interest in it.
One-third of the Hebrew teachers, according to the study, do not have a teaching certificate, and according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of Hebrew teachers with teaching certificates but not in the field of Hebrew is even higher. The implications for the lack of learning Hebrew in the schools are immediately apparent as obstacles to entry into higher education. The State Comptroller found that 6,600 Arab youth, born between 1991 and 2002 with standardized psychometric exam results over 500, were blocked from acceptance to all Israeli universities only because of their low grades on the Hebrew language exams.
The dramatic decline in Hebrew proficiency is a huge warning sign. Givat Haviva CEO Michal Sella said, "The data show a consistent decline in Hebrew proficiency among Arab students and the government proceeds unphased, not transferring funds and not producing programs to redress the situation. Everything is placed in front of them. The programs exist. The study is available. A budget just has to be allocated for the program, and it has to be put to use for several years."
The Jewish-Arab Center for Peace
The Narratives program concludes its first cycle with activists from Arab Society
The Narratives program was successfully completed by a group of activists from Arab society. The program, held at the Arab-Jewish Center for Peace at Givat Haviva, included meetings, field trips, and workshops that gave participants insight into the Jewish-Israeli narrative, and exposed them to challenging viewpoints.
The program, developed following the events of October 7, aims to bridge the gaps between Jewish society and Arab society in Israel, by delving into major social issues and understanding the distinct reality of each group. The Jewish population experienced a shock and a deep fracture, the murderous attack shook their perception and most basic sense of safety and security, leaving deep scars in the collective soul. At the same time, the Arab population experienced many other hardships stemming from the implications of the war for its people in Gaza, together with growing concerns for its personal safety and attacks on its freedom of expression in Israel.
The program sought to examine the changes in the narratives of the two population groups, and to see if they lead to deepening the gaps or contribute to creating a shared story of closeness and cooperation. The 15 participants from Arab society who work in different fields, were exposed to statesmanship and democracy in Israel, the national security conception, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the streams in ultra-Orthodox Jewish society, the issue of enlistment in the IDF, etc. Many commented that they were taken out of their comfort zone and they emphasized the tremendous contribution of this element to the learning process.
The program will be expanded to include Jewish participants who will learn about the Arab-Palestinian narrative in Israel.
The Shared Language Program Opens This Year with 50 Schools
The program for encouragement of discourse in the Hebrew language among students from Arab society integrated a teacher whose mother tongue is Hebrew into teaching in a school in Arab society for a semester. In the past year, the program operated in the following towns: Nazareth, Reina, Siah Danon, Acre, Eilabun, Kabul, Sahknin, Turan, Tamra, Iluth, Kafr Kana, Sha'ab, Majdal Crum, Kaokab Abu Alhija, Kfar Yasif, Nahaf, Shfaram, Umm el Fahm, Bartaa, Kfar Kara, Fureidis, Arara, Taibe, Ramla, Kfar Kassem, Jaljulya. This year, it is expected to reach 18,000 students in 50 schools.
Kicking Out Racism Program Moves to Givat Haviva
The veteran program in the struggle against racism and violence on the soccer fields is moving to a new home at Givat Haviva.
After more than two decades of activity on the fields, we are excited to announce that as of July 2025, the program Kicking Racism and Violence Out of the Soccer Fields has moved to a new home at Givat Haviva. The program, founded by the New Israel Fund, worked to reduce racism and violence on soccer fields, by monitoring, reporting, and raising awareness.
The transition to Givat Haviva is intended to bolster the program and its impact based on a strategic decision to augment the educational activity and reach diverse populations on the path to a deep change in consciousness.. The program will continue to operate a network of observers, and publish reports monitoring violence and racism, together with conducting training sessions for coaches and professional teams at sports clubs, working with schools in cooperation with the Soccer Association, developing international collaboration, and increasing community action. Givat Haviva is proud to be a meaningful part of this important cultural change. We are convinced that together, we will continue to improve the culture of sports in Israel and turn the fields into a place that unifies and connects all fans.
YOUNITED: News from the International School
The International School, YOUNITED opens the school year with students from 21 countries
The school year at YOUNITED International School opened in an especially festive atmosphere. Despite the numerous challenges, Jewish and Arab students from Israel, together with students from 21 countries throughout the world, joined each other for the beginning of a new year, and a fascinating journey at YOUNITED.
YOUNITED joins the network of OECD schools
Good news! Our school was invited to join the network of OECD schools. This international network, officially known as OECD Schools+ Network, is committed to promoting innovation and quality in education. It was established by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) for the purpose of creating a global community of schools which can exchange ideas, methodologies, and develop innovative solutions for the challenges confronting educational systems worldwide. This is an exciting recognition of our educational achievements in five years of operation. Joining this prestigious network opens doors to expanding the range of our educational impact and will enable us to participate in the design of the global educational discourse in the future. We are proud to be part of the circle of leading schools worldwide, committed to values, excellence, and groundbreaking leadership.
News from the Shared Art Center
The past month at the Shared Art Center was filled with art marathons, an open summer ceramics workshop, instruction and group exhibits, and increasing circles of group activities. For example, 50 managers and administrators from the Natural Sciences Faculty and the Biology Department at the University of Haifa spent a day becoming familiar with Givat Haviva, touring the campus, and dipping their fingers in artwork during two workshops weaving values of shared society through printing and photography, followed by a guided visit in the Gallery at the Shared Art Center.
The center's Residency Program is preparing to open its third cycle. Screening of participants is underway. The process requires submitting a portfolio and a project proposal, appearing before an art committee, individual interviews, and review by an evaluation center.
In addition, a new collaboration with Duke University in North Carolina, in the United States, has been created. This will enable five alumni from previous cycles of the program to participate in a one-month residency. Our multidimensional exhibit, Nad-Ned [in English, literally, "swinging back and forth"] spread across most of the area of the Shared Art Center has already hosted over 1,000 visitors. A new group exhibition, Labor Pains, is opening shortly. It will show work by 27 artists relating to the space of birth, trauma, repair, and the cycle of life and death, through personal points of view alongside wider perspectives dealing with a need for the birth of a new society in Israel.