November 12, 2025
November 2025 Newsletter
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Jonathan Lack |
Following Michal’s reflections on this new and hopeful chapter for Israel, I want to share how Friends of Givat Haviva has been working—here in North America—to ensure that the opportunity ahead is met with real partnership, real investment, and real engagement. Over the past several weeks, I had the privilege of representing Friends of Givat Haviva at two major gatherings of the Jewish world: the Z3 Annual Conference in Silicon Valley and the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly in Washington, DC. At both events, the conversations were clear and consistent: while Israelis are navigating a complex and fragile moment at home, Jews and allies abroad are searching for meaningful ways to support a future that is stable, just, and shared. Our presence at these conferences is part of a broader strategy. Friends of Givat Haviva is committed to bringing the work of Jewish–Arab partnership into the mainstream Jewish and Christian Zionist discourse—spaces where long-term commitments are shaped and where the future of philanthropic engagement is often determined. When we share Givat Haviva’s story in these rooms, we are doing more than raising awareness; we are broadening the coalition of people who understand that shared society is not a niche issue, but a national priority essential to Israel’s security and resilience. What struck me most in these conversations was how receptive people were. Across political and denominational lines, there is a growing understanding that rebuilding trust between Jewish and Arab citizens is not only morally vital—it is strategically necessary. Whether through our education programs, municipal partnerships, language initiatives, or leadership exchanges, Givat Haviva offers a practical, hopeful, and deeply credible pathway forward. As Michal noted, Israel is entering a moment of rebuilding, reflection, and reimagining. Here in North America, our responsibility is to ensure that this moment is met with the broadest possible support for the work that truly strengthens Israeli society from within. |
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Michal Sella |
We return from the holiday season to a new and brighter reality. The hostages have finally come home, and the war in Gaza has come to an end through the long-awaited ceasefire agreement. This is a moment to pause—to process and begin to heal—while also recognizing the urgent work that lies ahead: To rebuild and restore Israeli society. We finally have the opportunity to discuss long-term solutions and to imagine a better future for our entire region—both Israelis and Palestinians. Our mission at Givat Haviva feels more vital than ever. A society torn apart by tension and violence cannot find security, prosperity, or peace of mind. Without healing, Israeli society cannot move forward politically or socially. A society living in fear and uncertainty cannot envision or support the rebuilding that our future depends on. That is why our work—educating the next generation for partnership and democracy, and building bridges between communities—is essential to the healing of Israeli society. |
Please join us on Wednesday, December 3rd, 1:00pm (ET) for Friends of Givat Haviva’s quarterly update, featuring Michal Sella, CEO, and Mohammad Darawshe, Director of Strategy. Given the rapidly shifting dynamics in the region and the important work unfolding on the ground in Israel, this briefing comes at a particularly meaningful moment.
Join Us for the 2025 Annual Givat Haviva Conference
January 6, 2025 | Givat Haviva Campus
This year’s conference will focus on healing and repair through Jewish–Arab partnership.
After two years of examining the erosion of trust between communities and the challenges of sustaining a shared society under a divisive political climate, this gathering will turn toward action—mapping the path toward recovery and renewal.
Click here to register and reserve your place.
We look forward to welcoming you to the conference and to our programs throughout the coming year.
Executive Director, Jonathan Lack represented Friends of Givat Haviva at the Z3 conference in the Bay Area in early November.
FoGH staff and board left to right: Sadie Baker-Wacks, Steve Levine, Ken Bandler, Jeff Goodman, Mohammad Darawshe, Jonathan Lack, and David Heller
JFNA General Assembly
Jewish Federations of North American General Assembly
The Friends of Givat Haviva staff attended the JFNA General Assembly in Washington DC last weekend. We had a table with brochures and articles for attendees to take home, and had some wonderful conversations with people who hadn't heard about our work. The team met with existing federation partners and made new connections with federation staff.
Are you involved with your local federation and think they would be interested in learning more about Friends of Givat Haviva? Get in touch with Sadie at sadie@usfogh.org!
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The German Minister of Education Visits Givat Haviva
During her visit to Israel, Karen Prien, the German Minister of Education, toured the Givat Haviva campus with Executive Director Michal Sella and Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawshe. She learned about Givat Haviva’s educational programs that promote dialogue, understanding, and trust between Jewish and Arab youth. In a conversation with students from the Younited International School, two young women—one Palestinian, one Jewish—shared how studying in a shared environment opened their minds and hearts to one another. Minister Prien concluded: “Meeting you and witnessing the work here at Givat Haviva gives me hope—especially in times like these.” |
Younited Students Remember October 7
Givat Haviva hosted a moving and thought-provoking ceremony initiated by students at the Younited International School to commemorate the events of October 7 and the war that followed. In “Circle of Pain,” students created an exhibition in memory of the victims in both Israel and Gaza, and prayers were offered in three languages and faith traditions. They shared poems and personal reflections, and the story of Uri Hefetz, a young woman from Kibbutz Nirim, who spent 12 hours sheltering before being rescued. Her words captured both the pain and resilience of that day. A group of students performed “Where Did the Peace Go,” as a hopeful call for change after a time of deep sorrow. The event embodied Givat Haviva’s values of respect, empathy, and shared humanity. |
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Metzer–Meiser: A Renewed DialogueComing soon to the Givat Haviva Gallery: a new exhibition curated by Anat Lidror and Tali Tamir, revisiting the legendary 1972 art project Metzer–Meiser. The original project brought together Jewish and Arab artists in the shared landscape between Kibbutz Metzer and the Arab village of Meiser. The new exhibition reunites artists—including Israel Prize laureate Micha Ullman and Avital Geva, participants in the original project—to reflect on memory, identity, and neighborly relations. Through new works, interviews, and a documentary film, the exhibition reimagines what shared living can mean today. |
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More News from Campus
A new cohort of the “Narratives” program has begun, exposing participants to challenging perspectives. Arab community activists learned from leading experts about social and political currents within Jewish society, including lectures on Israel’s Draft Law. |
L'Shalom
Jonathan Lack
Executive Director and Board Member
jonathan@usfogh.org
https://www.usfogh.org/
Friends of Givat-Haviva
Building Israeli Arab-Jewish Shared Society, Peace By Peace