Hand in Hand - Centers for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel

Winner of the 2021 Global Pluralism Award, Hand in Hand advances equality and a society shared by all citizens of Israel. We pursue this mission through a three-prong model consisting of:

(1) A growing network of bilingual, integrated and multicultural schools in which more than 2,000 Jewish and Arab students study together daily and interact in an environment of equality and mutual respect. Our dedicated teams of educators and pedagogic experts develop innovative curricula for our unique schools located in Jerusalem, Haifa, Wadi Ara, the Galilee, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Kfar Saba and Kafr Qasim. 

(2) Shared communities of Jewish and Arab adults surrounding each of our schools that help cement interpersonal relationships, enable productive dialogue, encourage civic engagement, and nurture solidarity.  Community-building is at the heart of Hand in Hand’s model. In a society in which Arab and Jewish families rarely engage with one another, we bring hundreds of families together for peer-to-peer activities that nurture meaningful bonds.

(3) Partnerships with decision-makers at local and national levels of government to integrate the values and practices of multiculturalism into public education. Hand in Hand takes an active role advancing equality through Ministry of Education committees and leads innovative programs, together with interested municipalities, that use its expertise to enhance multiculturalism in the public sector.