Friends of Givat Haviva February 2025

February 2024 Newsletter

Friends of Givat Haviva Update

Call to Action: How You Can Support This Critical Work

Dear Sadie,



As we reflect on the powerful discussions and the crucial work being done at Givat Haviva, we recognize that sustaining and expanding these initiatives requires a collective effort. The path to a truly shared society in Israel is not just an aspiration—it is a necessity.

Friends of Givat Haviva is committed to strengthening the foundation of coexistence by supporting programs that foster dialogue, education, and leadership. But we cannot do this alone. Now, more than ever, we need the support of individuals who believe in a future where Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel live with dignity, equality, and mutual respect.

Your involvement—whether through financial support, advocacy, or connecting us with like-minded partners—makes a direct impact. Every contribution enables us to expand our educational programs, build new leadership pipelines, and create more opportunities for meaningful engagement between communities.

Together, we can ensure that hope is not just a word but a reality we build, step by step.

For more information on how to support Friends of Givat Haviva, please reach out to me at jonathan@usfogh.org

With gratitude and determination,

Jonathan Lack

Interim Executive Director and Board Member

Friends of Givat Haviva

Givat Haviva Update

With the ceasefire and the return of the abductees, we have experience for the first time since October 7, sparks of hope, despite heartbreaking scenes of those returning. The reckless and irresponsible ideas being proposed regarding the expulsion of Gaza’s residents has caused further damage to Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and to Israeli democracy. Still, we hold on to hope and fight for a true and final end to the war and for the safe return of all abductees.

We need this hope as much as the air we breathe because it is what will allow us to begin the essential work of rebuilding Israeli society. Hope was a central theme of the annual Givat Haviva conference, "Choosing a Shared Society.” The event addressed the resilience of Israeli society, emphasizing how Jewish and Arab citizens have resisted being drawn into violence and have maintained social stability—despite the continued erosion of personal security and the intensified mutual hostility caused by the war.

Many thanks to the hundreds of our partners who attended. We hope you left with the same feeling we did—that we have strong allies who are committed to rebuilding the social, economic, political, and civil foundations that have been damaged by war. Our shared future depends on a Jewish-Arab partnership in Israel.

It is no secret that Jewish-Arab relations have faced an upheaval during the war. The overwhelming majority of citizens understand that further deterioration in our relationships would only deepen the existing rift and pose a threat to us all.

At Givat Haviva, we have witnessed the first signs of recovery over the past year and a half. We have seen a mutual effort to hold onto hope and goodness. Schools participating in shared society programs have returned to campus. Educators who completed training at Givat Haviva are seeking opportunities to renew and expand their participation.

At the Younited International School,Israeli students—both Jewish and Arab—live and study alongside international students from dozens of countries. Every day, they prove that co-education is the most effective education for our children. These young people, growing up in a complex political reality, are facing challenges that often seem insurmountable to adults. And yet, they see the humanity in each other,respect one another, and create a shared community.

The Jewish-Arab Center for Peace at Givat Haviva has launched a new leadership department aimed at young leaders in their 20s and 30s.

The Shared Art Center continues to present exhibitions that tell the story of this place. Our Joint Residency Program is the only program in Israel that offers residency, an open studio, and first-class mentorship for young Jewish and Arab artists.

The Institute for Arabic Studies is open to anyone who wants to learn, speak, and understand Arabic. Demand for Arabic courses is growing, and all courses are fully booked—a testament to the increasing recognition of the importance of Jewish-Arab partnership.



And we have a new website! You’re invited to visit (currently in Hebrew, with translations into Arabic and English in progress) and explore the endless work of our unique organization.

All the best,

Michal Sella

Executive Director, Givat Haviva

מיכל סלע מנכ"לית

ميخال سيلع مديرة عامة

Givat Haviva's Virtual Shared Society Conference



Thank you for joining us who were able to join us yesterday for Givat Haviva’s virtual conference. We are grateful for your time and engagement in this important conversation about building a shared society in Israel.

We were honored to have the German Ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, open the event with a thoughtful and meaningful introduction, setting the stage for a deep and constructive discussion. Mohammad Darawshe then provided an in-depth analysis of our latest survey findings, shedding light on the growing challenges in Jewish-Arab relations in the wake of the current crisis. He also shared how Givat Haviva is actively working to address these issues—through education, dialogue, and initiatives aimed at restoring trust and fostering a more resilient and inclusive society.

Givat Haviva's Annual Survey Findings

A survey presented at the annual Givat Haviva Conference for a Shared Society indicates that, against the backdrop of the war, the crisis of trust between Jews and Arabs in Israel has only deepened.

Press and Events

Link to Recording of Yesterdays Virtual Shared Society Conference

Day 483 Of The War: Hopes For A Better Future

Save the Date: February 11, 2026

Next Year's Conference will take place on February 11th 2026, with a three-day tour of to Givat Haviva and the areas that Givat Haviva serves.

Program Updates

Students from Mu’awiya and Megiddo Appeal to the Minister of the Interior: "Violence Will Not Stop if We Stay Silent!"

This month, we hosted a Children Teaching Children group meeting for students from Mu’awiya and Megiddo on the topic of violence in Arab society.

Students jointly drafted letters to government ministers expressing their stance against violence and calling for a safe society for all.

Despite the sensitivity of the issue, we succeeded in raising awareness—especially among the Jewish students—about the distress and challenges faced by Arab society. Through this process, we created empathy, connection, and a shared sense of responsibility.

Creativity and True Friendships at YOUNITED International School

YOUNITED International School is always buzzing with activity! The school kicked off the winter season with a spectacular cultural carnival. Students showcased their talents with an impressive art exhibition and brought Shakespeare to life with a captivating performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Givat Haviva. 



Hanan Sabduka, a student at YOUNITED International School in Givat Haviva , came to us from Uganda. For the annual exhibition, which featured works by art students, he painted his relatives.  It’s important to me to tell about my heritage ,” said Hanan, “about the Buganda tribe to which I belong and the cultural rituals that preserve the heritage.”

The Third Cycle of the Artists Residency Program is in Full Swing!

For the past month and a half, 10 artists—both Jewish and Arab—have been participating in a three-month residency at Givat Haviva.