Hand in Hand Center for Jewish Arab Educa on in Israel
January 2015 1 Hand In Hand – Overview • Vision: “Learning Together – Living Together” • Integrated Bilingual Schools – 5 Schools in Different Loca ons; 2014 Enrollment is 1157 – Integrated Jewish-Arab student body and teaching staff – Classes taught in both Hebrew and Arabic; MOE approved curriculum – Recognized, accredited & supervised by government (except Haifa) – Government funds about 50% of actual school opera ng costs “in-kind” by alloca on of “teacher hours” • Organized Shared Communi es Around Each School – 5 Loca ons: Same as the HIH Schools – Par cipants are Jewish and Arab parents, staff, and other interested ci zens – Some ac vi es are normal and fun: men’s basketball team in Jerusalem; adult study groups; community gardening – Other ac vi es respond to external stresses: protec ve escorts for HIH children harassed on busses; vigils and walks for peace and togetherness during summer 2014
January 2015 2 Opening Day 2014 – Jerusalem Grades K through 12 | Enrollment = 624
January 2015 3 Opening Day 2014 – Galilee Grades K through 6 | Enrollment = 130
January 2015 4 Opening Day 2014 – Kfar Kara Grades K through 6 | Enrollment = 240
January 2015 5 Opening Week 2014 – Jaffa Nursery to Kindergarten | Enrollment = 93
"The impact of Hand in Hand is so posi ve in Jaffa. It is historical. It is not just another school. It is fundamentally different than all other schools or specialty schools. This school will help the city overcome tensions in the present and the future.” Ami Katz, Head of Municipal Administra on in Jaffa January 2015 6 Opening Week 2014 – Haifa Grades Pre-K | Enrollment = 70
January 2015 7 Summer 2014 in Jerusalem In Times of Conflict – HIH Community Members Walk Together In Friendship
“In these days, when all hope for sanity seems lost, the Hand in Hand community is a beacon of light, sharp and clear, that allows me to breath and not give up on the hope for a normal life for all of the human beings in this land. It is empowering to see that the circle is expanding, that more and more January 2015 people refuse to be enemies.” 8
Summer 2014 in Kafr Qara “Neighbors in Peace”
During this summer’s conflict, Hand in Hand community members in Wadi Ara organized weekly vigils to proclaim peace between neighbors. January 2015 9
Summer 2014 in Jaffa
Weekly Vigils For Shared Living
Hundreds of Hand in Hand community members gathered on Jaffa’s main street on many Fridays during this past summer’s conflict. Adults and children, Jews and Arabs, the community members stood together against racism, incitement and violence, and carrying signs that read: “We Refuse To Be Enemies” and "Let’s Grow Up Together“
January 2015 10 Arson A ack on Jerusalem School Followed By Outpouring of Public Support Sunday, November 30, 2014 • School opens on- me, with nearly 100% a endance of students & staff, cheered by hundreds of supporters including students from many other Jerusalem schools
• Visits of Support From Minister of Educa on, Mayor & Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, MKs Tzippi Livni, Moshe Feiglin and Uri Ariel and others
“Harming this school is a horrific crime perpetrated by people who want to destroy any Saturday -- November 29, 2014 place that creates real coopera on between Jerusalem School 1st Grade Classrooms Jews and Arabs despite our fears and Burned in Arson A ack differences. We will not let them do this. The “Death To Arabs” and “No Coexistence municipality of Jerusalem fully supports the With Cancer” Spray Painted on Walls school and we will ensure their con nued work.” Rachel Azaria, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem January 2015 11
Public Support Following Arson A ack
“you are proof that we can live “. . .it was inspiring to see the together in peace . . . .” teachers and students . . . and the Reuven Rivlin, incredible resilience being shown President of Israel by the school.”
January 2015 US Ambassador Dan Shapiro & Julie Fisher12
Public Support Following Arson A ack
On Friday, December 5, thousands of Jews "Now is not the me for either pessimism or and Arabs from all over Israel marched to op mism, neither despair nor dreamy show their solidarity with Hand in Hand wishes. Now is the me to work. To build. To walk together. Day in, day out. Year in, year out.” January 2015 13 Kfar Qara Student Council Elec on Day
Learning to be good ci zens of a modern democracy is an important part of the everyday experience at Hand in Hand schools.
January 2015 14 Special News From Jerusalem Hand in Hand students welcome Pope Francis I to Jerusalem
“Our school was chosen to welcome the Pope because we are the only school in Jerusalem that includes the diversity of faiths.” January 2015 15
Hand in Hand – Future Plans
• Expand HIH Schools to 10+ Loca ons in 10 Years – Establish 5 addi onal HIH schools between 2015 & 2020 (loca ons TBD) – Grow each school to op mum size & grade level with highest academic standards • Establish organized shared community with each school – Engage 20,000+ individuals – Make ac vi es of shared communi es part of normal daily life • Build partnerships with other providers of Integrated Bilingual Educa on (NGO’s, municipali es, MOE) • Use schools and communi es to inspire increased support for social inclusion and civic equality in Israel
January 2015 16 Conclusion: NOW Is The Time To Expand The Hand in Hand Network of Schools & Communi es The educa onal model developed by Hand in Hand screams for much greater support . . . . Now is the me to replicate it “So Inbar and Mouran and their fellow throughout the students teach us a cri cal lesson . . . . one act of faith can make a country . . . .
miracle.” “A Worthy Response To Racist Pyromaniacs” President Barack Obama Haaretz Editorial, December 2, 2014 (December 17, 2014) h p://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.629536
January 2015 17