This month we introduce you to one of our educational programs for high school students, the Bara’em Hi-Tech Program . This program gives Arab Israeli high school students living in the greater Wadi Ara Region, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds, the opportunity to study computer engineering and technology, and earn credits toward a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering while still in high school.

The computer engineering and technology course is supplemented by a Hebrew language enrichment component, which brings the Arab student’s language proficiency up to par. The course is offered at the Givat Haviva campus, a centrally located space that is not only more accessible, but also a more culturally sensitive and comfortable environment for Arab Israeli students. 

Education is considered key to economic development, and the financial under-development of Arab Israeli populations is underscored by poor educational services. As a result, school dropout rates are high, with 21% of Arab students dropping out before completing high school, as opposed to 11% of Jewish students. Moreover, the quality of education for those Arab Israeli students who do attend high school is lower, with 38% less public funding spent on each student in Arab schools than on students in Jewish schools.

The Bara’em Hi-Tech Program at Givat Haviva delivers a two-year curriculum of college-level, career-oriented computer instruction and Hebrew language enrichment to classes of 40 Arab Israeli students. Hi-tech classes such as these have until now been unavailable to Arab youth in the region. Givat Haviva’s program provides computer engineering instruction that is accessible both financially and geographically, and serves as a springboard to productive employment.

All of the students continue to complete their high school curriculum, simultaneously with their Bara’em Hi-Tech studies. Students also participate in three study tours to hi-tech companies during the course of the year. This gives them the opportunity to observe a hi-tech workplace firsthand and see what these companies look like from the inside.

Presentation at the Knesset

This March and April, our New York-based GHEF office hosted both Givat Haviva's Executive Director, Yaniv Sagee, and Director of the Center for Equality & Shared Society, Mohammad Darawshe in outreach events, conferences and lectures from Washington, DC to Boston. In March, Mohammad spoke at the AIPAC conference in Washington, DC, and in April, Yaniv served on a panel at the J Street conference (also in Washington). Mohammad and Yaniv brought contextual knowledge of the realities in Israel coupled with news of our progress, and the growing hope for a Shared Society that goes on every day at Givat Haviva’s campus.

Mohammad presenting at University of Pennsylvania Hillel

Yaniv with Meretz Knesset members Tamar Zandberg and Michal Rozin at the J Street conference

Yaniv speaking on a panel titled " Spotlight on grassroots People-to-People projects" at the J Street conference

Mohammad speaking at the Harvard Israel summit

Yaniv Sagee

Executive Director,

Givat Haviva

How did you become involved with Givat Haviva?

I have been involved in Givat Haviva since I was 14 and had my first seminar there. It was 40 years ago and I've been connected ever since.

Where do you see Givat Haviva in five years?

In 5 years Givat Haviva will be a local campus that is the most important center for a shared society in Israel and in the world. We will be the hub for peace education and shared society innovation in the Middle East. Around 700 students will be learning in our two schools, the Givat Haviva International School and Sindiana. 100,000 students will be learning in our Hebrew Language Enrichment program. Our Shared Community and Shared Education programs will be adopted by the Israeli government and the Road Map for a Shared Society will guide the government's plan for the future of Israel.

What is your favorite Givat Haviva program?

Givat Haviva has about 25 programs. I love them all. They are the hope for a better future. Asking me to pick my favorite is like asking me to pick my favorite child...not possible.

What is your secret talent?

I'm a great shofar player, ready to be invited during the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayers.

Positive change does not happen by itself.

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