A Message from GHEF Executive Director, Hiam Simon

Givat Haviva Newsletter
July 14, 2006
By HIAM SIMON

Society and the values that shape it are a movement rather than a condition, a voyage rather than a harbor. You and I are standing on the bow of a ship that is starting to travel in new directions.

After 58 years of statehood, Israeli society is examining its different populations and determining where the sail needs to be trimmed to better serve them. At the same time, the American Jewish community is beginning to recognize that it, too, must participate in this process to better serve the State it loves.

The gap between Israeli Jews and Arabs is an affront to the society we envisioned when the Zionist dream was born. As Americans with an inherent understanding of a successful pluralistic society we can lend support and direction to this change. We at Givat Haviva are at the helm of this ship of change, and you are invited to join the crew.

In the coming weeks and months you will learn more about the new initiatives in which we are involved, both on our own and in partnership with others. As a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arabs, GHEF is participating in a effort to heal the rift, along with major players within the American Jewish community. GHEF will also be sending an educational mission to Israel.