Social Entrepreneurship
About
The Gesher Leadership Institute fosters new and impactful initiatives and projects that promote connections among different segments of the Jewish people.
The purpose of these initiatives is to put into practice the knowledge and experiences gained in the Institute’s courses. During the course and afterward, we encourage each participant to develop a project aimed at promoting dialogue and integration within Israeli society and between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.
The Gesher Leadership Institute provides guidance in the ideation, planning, and implementation stages of these projects, offers expert mentors, and even provides financial support for some initiatives.
In July 2024, Institute alumni are invited to apply for a financial grant for projects that strengthen the connection between Israelis and the Jewish Diaspora.
To apply, click here.
Delegation of Educators and Principals to Finland – Tel Aviv-Jaffa Education Administration
Initiator: Shirley Rimon
Delegation of Educators and Principals to Finland – Tel Aviv-Jaffa Education Administration
A municipal education delegation from Tel Aviv-Jaffa participated in an educational tour in Finland for teachers and principals. The delegation explored advanced educational pedagogies and engaged with the Jewish community in Finland.
In collaboration with: Tel Aviv-Jaffa Education Administration.
Jerusalem Tours during Diaspora Week
Initiator: Arik Wirzburger
Jerusalem Tours during Diaspora Week
In collaboration with Yad Ben Zvi and the Ruderman Foundation, a variety of engaging guided tours took place in Jerusalem during Diaspora Week. These tours explored stories and characters, homes, neighborhoods, and landscapes inspired by Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
The Jerusalem Conference in New York – Channel 7
Initiators: Dudu Sa'ada and Uzi Baruch
The Jerusalem Conference in New York – Channel 7
A conference held in New York aimed at conveying a message of unity to Jews worldwide, fostering care, and addressing topics such as education and various challenges. It encouraged collaborative thinking about the future of the Jewish people.
In collaboration with: B'Sheva.
Connecting Through Music
Initiator: Vered Finkelstein
Connecting Through Music
Creation of music videos by pairs of schools from different educational streams following a collaborative process. The videos are shared on the various networks of the schools, students, and parents.
In collaboration with: Ministry of Education, Tel Aviv District.
Youth Identity Journey – Givat Shmuel
Initiator: Yossi Brodny
Youth Identity Journey – Givat Shmuel
Tenth-grade students from three secular and religious schools in Givat Shmuel participated in a special day in Jerusalem, marking the year they receive their identity cards. They experienced a meaningful day focused on Jewish-Israeli identity.
In collaboration with: Givat Shmuel Community Center and the Givat Shmuel Municipality.
Community Shabbats – Meytarim
Initiator: Ranit Budai-Hyman
Community Shabbats – Meytarim
A Shabbat gathering for all mixed communities (religious, secular, and traditional) within the Meytarim Network. The event brought together 22 communities from across the country!
In collaboration with: Meytarim Network.
Diamonds in the World of the "Yachdav" Youth Movement
Initiator: Aharon Malach
Diamonds in the World of the "Yachdav" Youth Movement
For the first time, the Haredi youth organization Yachdav addressed Jewish Peoplehood, creating a content booklet and holding a conference for guide staff, providing background on the topic with a focus on the complexities and importance of the connection between the Haredi community and the Jewish Diaspora.
In collaboration with: Yachdav Youth Movement.
Diaspora Day for Municipal Leaders
Initiator: Oshra Friedman
Diaspora Day for Municipal Leaders
The team from the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women, along with 15 female municipal leaders and then-Minister for Social Equality Merav Cohen, participated in a training day on the topic of the Diaspora at the ANU Museum.
In collaboration with: Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women.
Youth Leadership and Encounter – Nahariya
Initiator: Ilan Vaknin
Youth Leadership and Encounter – Nahariya
A three-day Identity Leadership Program for 10th graders in Nahariya, guiding students through a journey from personal identity to exploring Jewish life around the world.
In collaboration with: Nahariya Education Department.
Strengthening Connections Between Israeli and Diaspora Jewish Schools
Initiators: Avi Ganon, Ruth Knoller-Levi, and Adi Yahalomi
Strengthening Connections Between Israeli and Diaspora Jewish Schools
For Rosh Hashanah (5783), the Ministry of Education worked to strengthen ties between schools in Israel and Jewish schools in the Diaspora through Zoom meetings, connecting schools from both sides around the holiday.
In collaboration with: Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
Tours for Familiarization with Israeli Society
Initiator: Tzvika Ohel
Tours for Familiarization with Israeli Society
A series of five tours designed to familiarize employees of the Office of the State Comptroller with Israeli society: a tour in a Bedouin village in the north, two tours in Bnei Brak, a visit to the Nalagaat Center, and a church tour in Haifa.
In collaboration with: Office of the State Comptroller.
Incorporating the Diaspora Theme into "Israeli Week" in Netanya
Initiator: Eti Dahan
Incorporating the Diaspora Theme into "Israeli Week" in Netanya
Lectures for educational staff and students in the city of Netanya on the topic of Jewish Diaspora.
In collaboration with: Netanya Municipality.
Sisters Across the Sea
Initiator: Hadas Regulski Chrissi
Sisters Across the Sea
The social-media project "Sisters – Across the Sea" introduced the Israeli audience to a series of leading Jewish women from around the world through a collection of in-depth articles.
In collaboration with: ONLIFE.
Project NOVA
Initiators: Naomi Yitzchak and Ruth Knoller-Levi
Project NOVA
NOVA ("Youth at the Front of Public Diplomacy") is an initiative established in the second week of the war, aimed at recruiting teenagers with high-level foreign language skills to stand at the forefront of Israel's public diplomacy efforts. Members of the initiative have spread messages and information worldwide, filtered problematic content, identified fake news, and have become a significant part of Israel's public diplomacy network.
In collaboration with: the Society and Youth Administration at the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
IDF Delegation to the Diaspora
Initiators: Ofir Levios, Lee Bilu, and Shira Rudberg
IDF Delegation to the Diaspora
Each year, hundreds of IDF Majors participate in a delegation to Jewish communities in the Diaspora, engaging in meaningful encounters with the challenges these communities face. This initiative strategically integrates the topic of the Diaspora into the IDF.
In collaboration with the Ami Directorate, the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and the IDF Education Corps.
You Deserve a Break
Initiator: Neta Ariel
You Deserve a Break
The Ma'aleh School of Film and Television has joined efforts to support those displaced by the war who are staying in hotels in Jerusalem and nearby areas by offering screenings of Ma'aleh films and hands-on film workshops.
In collaboration with: Sapir Center.
True Acts of Kindness
Initiator: Faynie Sukenik
True Acts of Kindness
This initiative was established the day after October 7, with the aim of providing real-time updates on funerals and families sitting shiva. Volunteers update on specific needs during the shiva and maintain ongoing contact with the families over time. Led by Haredi women, the initiative has over 1,000 volunteers from across the country, representing various segments of society.
Jewish Identity in the Diaspora – Course for Haredi Supervisors
Initiators: Rachel Suleiman and Tzipi Cohen
Jewish Identity in the Diaspora – Course for Haredi Supervisors
An in-depth course on the Jewish Diaspora, consisting of five full days, designed for supervisors in the Haredi District of the Ministry of Education. The sessions included in-depth tours at the Israel Museum, interactions with the Netzach community, engaging discussions, and more.
In partnership with the Ami Directorate.
Unity Toolkit
Initiators: Ruth Knoller-Levi and Tali Ornstein
Unity Toolkit
In honor of Unity Day, the Ministry of Education launched a toolkit focused on the importance of unity in Israeli society. The toolkit incorporates Gesher's dialogue guidelines and has been distributed to 22,000 educators, reaching one million students across Israel.
In partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Post-Crisis Leadership Meetings
Initiators: Tzvi Bodenheim and Chagai Samet
Post-Crisis Leadership Meetings
Education Department heads in the Golan Regional Council and Katzrin initiated in-depth meetings between principals of secular and religious public schools to foster dialogue and meaningful connections in light of recent events. The meetings included facilitation by the Gesher Institute, deep discussions on the social impact following October 7, and practical guidance for their roles as school leaders.
This initiative was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education – Northern District.