Among Partners: Givat Haviva at University of Haifa Shared Society Conference

By Enno Ebersbach

 

Givat Haviva took part in the Shared Society Conference organized by the Frieze Center at the University of Haifa. The June 3 event brought together representatives from academia, civil society, government, and philanthropy to discuss the challenges of building trust and social cohesion in Israeli society.

 

The conference highlighted the broad diversity of Israeli society and explored ways of managing its many social, cultural, and religious differences. Throughout the day participants examined how shared society principles can be promoted through education, public institutions, and civil society initiatives.

 

A series of lectures and panel discussions addressed the role of universities in fostering a shared society, effective cooperation between civil society organizations and state institutions, and educational visions for a more inclusive future. A recurring theme was the growing polarization between different sectors of Israeli society—Jewish and Arab citizens, religious and secular communities, and the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) and broader Israeli public. Many speakers emphasized the importance of maintaining a liberal-democratic consensus grounded in the values expressed in Israel’s Declaration of Independence.

 

One session featured Givat Haviva Director of Strategy Mohammad Darawshe in conversation with Haredi Rabbi Yosef Kaminer. The discussion focused on cooperation between academia and civil society organizations and their shared responsibility in advancing a more inclusive future.

 

Darawshe spoke about rising social tensions in the country, observing that “Israeli society is fighting with itself.” He stressed the importance of ensuring full social and political equality for Israel’s Arab citizens. “We have a big problem when even representatives of the political center exclude citizens with a certain identity—namely Arab identity—from the political process,” he said.

 

Reflecting on Givat Haviva’s mission, Darawshe emphasized the importance of practical solutions alongside public dialogue. “Our task is not just to identify problems, but to solve them, even in the face of resistance,” he said.  As an example, he highlighted Givat Haviva’s initiative to place Jewish teachers in Arab schools and Arab teachers in Jewish schools.

 

“When I first proposed this idea in 2005, many people thought I was a bit crazy,” he recalled. “Today, 4,500 Jewish and Arab teachers work in schools of the other community. This creates the potential to significantly change students’ perceptions of the other community.” His remarks were met with spontaneous applause from the audience.

 

During the discussion Darawshe also pointed to common challenges faced by Arab and Haredi communities in Israel, particularly regarding social and economic inequality, and highlighted the potential for cooperation between these groups in advancing a more inclusive society.

 

Alongside the conference sessions, the auditorium lobby hosted a lively exhibition featuring organizations working in the field of shared society. Visitors were able to learn about initiatives supporting Bedouin communities, Haredi women, Ethiopian Israelis, and other groups that contribute to Israel’s social fabric. The exhibition offered impressive examples of the breadth and diversity of Israeli civil society efforts dedicated to building a more inclusive future.

 

Givat Haviva also had a  booth where staff members presented current projects, exchanged ideas with participants, and engaged numerous visitors in conversations.

 

The conference was as an important opportunity for dialogue, networking, and reflection among organizations committed to strengthening shared society in Israel. For Givat Haviva it was a chance to contribute its more than 70 years of  leadership and pioneering initiatives, and a reminder that meaningful social change requires broad partnerships across communities.

 

Enno Ebersbach is the Peter and Friedel Grützmacher Intern for International Partner Relations at Givat Haviva. He has lived in Israel in the past and came to Givat Haviva at the beginning of March 2026.