Tzedek Centers Annual Conference

The Tzedek Centers’ Annual Conference brought together over 500 Jewish and Arab grassroots activists from across the country this year, under the title of “Rebuilding Israel.” Founded in 2016, Tzedek Centers focus on Israel’s long-term democratic future by integrating deep grassroots efforts with shorter-term, high-impact initiatives. Their activities are centered in local hubs where residents engage in training programs aimed at fostering social change. Through these programs, they acquire tools, connect with partners, and collaboratively build a shared vision. Graduates of their courses establish groups to improve city policies, lead local campaigns and social initiatives, assume leadership positions, and collectively nurture a local community of changemakers, thereby building a broad national movement across cities.

The conference opened with a message of hope from Liat Atzili, who survived 50 days of Hamas captivity, and whose husband Aviv died on October 7th. Atzili emphasized the critical importance of continuing to address rifts and disparities in Israeli society and urged that the ongoing war should not detract from the imperative of internal social change. Many in the audience were moved by her story and her ongoing activism for peace and justice.

The conference focused on the rebuilding of Israeli society, addressing issues such as rehabilitating destroyed communities, restoring trust between citizens and the state, revitalizing weakened public services, improving relations among various groups in Israeli society, and fostering personal resilience after a year marked by trauma, bereavement, and loss. Several parallel sessions were held, including one on the recovery of Jewish-Arab relations during these challenging times.

The panel featured Michael Vidal, the mayor of Ramla from the Likud Party; Member of Knesset Naama Lazimi from the Democrats Party; Adv. Ameer Bisharat, CEO of the National Committee of Arab Local Councils in Israel; and Prof. Sarab Abu-Rabia-Queder, VP for Diversity and Inclusion at Ben Gurion University. Asaf Ron, CEO of Beit Ha-Gefen, and Rasool Saada of Al Bayader chaired the panel.

Mr. Vidal described the unique Jewish-Arab coalition in Ramla, which stands out among mixed cities in Israel. MK Lazimi spoke passionately about the need for Jewish partnerships with Arab community leaders in demanding an end to the severe crime levels facing the Arab community. Ameer Bisharat highlighted the funding disparities between Jewish and Arab local authorities, while Prof. Abu Rabia-Queder stressed the importance of creating spaces for Jewish and Arab students to process the war and its effects on their campus experiences, especially in light of sanctions and social exclusion against Arab students expressing sympathy for civilian suffering in Gaza. Wrapping up the session, Saada quoted the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, stating that optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better, but hope is the belief that, if we work together, we can make the world better.

After the events of May 2021, the Tzedek Centers joined forces with Ajyal‘s Dreamers and Fulfillers Association to establish Jewish-Arab centers in the mixed cities of Ramla and Haifa, later expanding to Acre and Jerusalem. In these centers, Jewish and Arab activists collaborate closely. Recently, designated centers for Arab society have also begun operating in Majd Al Krum and Tamra. The center in Majd Al Krum has been operational for only six months, and its all-women group, led by Rasha Ismail, is already working to build a park for civilian use in the community. The main goal is to establish groups of conscious social activists dedicated to improving their communities.