Hand in Hand – Center for Jewish–Arab Education in Israel

Hand in Hand – Center for Jewish–Arab Education in Israel
Name	Hand in Hand – Center for Jewish–Arab Education in Israel
Formation	1997
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Jerusalem
Region served	Israel

Hand in Hand – Center for Jewish–Arab Education in Israel is a network of bilingual, multi‑faith schools and community programs in Israel that bring together Jews and Arab Israelis in shared learning environments. Founded in the late 1990s, the network operates schools and civic initiatives aimed at promoting coexistence among diverse communities such as Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jaffa, while engaging with national institutions like the Ministry of Education (Israel), local municipalities, and civil society organizations.

History

The initiative began amid the aftermath of the Oslo Accords and the First Intifada's political shifts, when educators and activists influenced by figures from movements like the Peace Now and the Peres Center for Peace sought practical integration models. Early founders included educators connected to projects in Beit Berl College, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and activists with ties to B'Tselem and Givat Haviva. The first schools opened in the late 1990s and early 2000s, expanding during periods of relative political thaw and drawing attention during crises such as the Second Intifada and the Gaza–Israel conflict (2008–09). Growth was shaped by interactions with legal frameworks like the Basic Laws of Israel and municipal education departments in cities including Lod and Acre. International attention linked the network to global initiatives in multicultural education exemplified by institutions like UNESCO and foundations such as the Rothschild Foundation and the Ford Foundation.

Educational Model and Programs

The curriculum emphasizes bilingual instruction in Hebrew and Arabic alongside parallel cultural studies referencing figures such as Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin for Jewish curricula and Hanna Nasser for Arab civic histories. Pedagogical practices draw on models from Reggio Emilia and critical pedagogy influenced by scholars associated with Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Bar-Ilan University. Programs include joint civic education inspired by comparative work from Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and exchange components resembling initiatives by Seeds of Peace and Hand in Hand International. Teacher training partnerships have linked to Oranim Academic College and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design for bilingual instructional materials, while afterschool programs mirror approaches used by Habitat for Humanity and community engagement tactics from Mercy Corps.

Schools and Campuses

The network comprises multiple campuses in mixed cities and peripheral towns, with presence in municipalities such as Jerusalem, Haifa, Acre, Lod, Jaffa, Kfar Saba, and Kiryat Yearim. Each campus operates primary and sometimes middle school grades, with community centers hosting events comparable to those held by Peres Center for Peace and model exchange programs like Taglit-Birthright Israel civic tracks. Campuses often occupy buildings coordinated with local councils and non‑profits including Mossawa and youth movements like Hashomer Hatzair and Bnei Akiva when engaging broader communal networks.

Governance and Funding

The organization is governed by a board drawing members from Israeli and international civic leaders, similar in structure to boards of The Jewish Agency for Israel and Amnesty International. Funding sources have included municipal budgets, grants from foundations such as the New Israel Fund, EU, Schusterman Foundation, and private donors connected to philanthropic networks like Bloomberg Philanthropies and family foundations associated with the Rothschild family. The schools negotiate registration and budgetary matters with bodies such as the Ministry of Education (Israel) and coordinate with municipal education authorities in Jerusalem and Haifa. Legal and policy challenges have required engagement with entities like the Supreme Court of Israel in cases touching on language policy and funding allocations.

Impact and Reception

Scholars at institutions such as Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University have studied outcomes in intercultural competence, citing impacts on attitudes toward national narratives involving Yasser Arafat, Golda Meir, and contested events like the 1948 Palestinian exodus (Nakba). International media outlets including The New York Times and The Guardian have profiled the model, while NGOs like International Crisis Group and researchers from RAND Corporation have referenced the network in analyses of social cohesion. Alumni trajectories include attendance at universities such as Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and careers in public service linked to bodies like Israel Defense Forces and municipal administrations.

Criticisms and Controversies

Critics from political parties including Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu have questioned the model's alignment with national curricula and raised issues during debates in the Knesset over funding and identity education. Some Arab community leaders and organizations such as Balad and United Arab List have criticized assimilation risks and representation of Palestinian narratives, while right‑wing activists and groups like Im Tirtzu have targeted funding sources and public support. Legal disputes and protests have arisen over school openings in contested municipalities such as Lod and Jaffa, prompting media coverage by outlets including Haaretz and Maariv.

Notable Partnerships and Awards

The network has partnered with international bodies including UNICEF, UNESCO, and the European Union for research and capacity building, and collaborated with philanthropy networks like the Schusterman Family Philanthropies and the New Israel Fund. Awards and recognitions have included citations from organizations such as Ashoka and acknowledgments in programs affiliated with Gates Foundation-supported initiatives in social innovation. Educational partnerships have involved Israeli institutions like Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Beit Berl College for teacher development and curriculum research.

Category:Education in Israel Category:Jewish–Arab relations