Givat Haviva Israel and US Update
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Jonathan Lack
Interim Executive Director
& Board Member
Friends of Givat Haviva
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For two years I have watched with admiration as my Jewish and Arab colleagues at Givat Haviva have continued their mission of building a shared society in Israel, even as they and their country have endured unimaginable trauma. The anguish of the October 7, 2023
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Michal Sella
CEO, Givat Haviva
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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.
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Events
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.
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JFNA General Assembly
Friends of Givat Haviva will be in DC at the JFNA General Assembly from November 15-18 if you're in the area and would like to meet with our staff while they are in town, please reach out to sadie at sadie@usfogh.org.
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Program updates
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.”
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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 Dialogue
Coming 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 mentorship program for Jewish and Arab women in mid- and senior-level business management has launched, emphasizing not only professional skills but also collaboration and leadership in diverse workplaces.
- Kicking Racism and Violence Off the Field: Program Director Matan Segal published an op-ed in Israel Hayom following the Tel Aviv Derby incident, calling for change in Israel’s sports culture. Read more here.
- Thousands participated in the “Under the Lantern” Festival held during Sukkot—a joyful celebration of art, light, and community. Watch highlights here.
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.
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