Program Description

Program includes:

• 4 days a week of work at an internship with local NGO’s, nonprofits, private companies or government institutions.

• At least one day a week of day trips, focused on learning. 

• One or two evening learning and reflection activities per week.

Where will I intern?

About 25 hours a week will be dedicated to internships with different organizations in Haifa. Interns will be placed after an interview with the organization.

Examples of individual organizations where interns will be placed:  

• Beit Hagefen- An Arab-Jewish cultural center striving to create a variety of shared equal spaces, and is a platform to promote Arab culture and to promote cooperation between ethnic identities and different cultures.

• Itach- Women Lawyers for Justice was established in 2001 by a group of legal experts to promote social justice for women. Itach focuses on female population layers for economically and socially disadvantaged.

• Mossawa Center- The Advocacy Center for Palestinian Arab citizens in Israel, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1997 that aims to promote the economic, social, cultural and political rights of the Palestinian Arab citizens in Israel, and the recognition of this community a national indigenous minority, with their own national, cultural and historical distinctiveness. 

• Reut Sadaka - An organization which is made up of both Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel, who believe in promoting joint partnerships for change through grassroots dialogue and leadership development programs, creating a new generation of young activists. 

• Aros El-Bahar - organization that aims to empower Arab women in Jaffa on a personal, financial and cultural basis. The center is a place designed to give women support and encouragement to advance themselves. The women are given the opportunity to initiate projects that comply with their needs as Arab women living in a mixed city.  

Will travel be a part of the program?

The program will include extensive travel opportunities throughout Israel. Day trips to Jerusalem, the Negev region and the Galilee will enable an in-depth look into key issues in Israel society as well as meetings with change makers and activists. Finally, you will participate in the Onward Israel Global Jewish Peoplehood Shabbaton. The aim of the travel component is to allow participants to experience Israel through the lens of social change.

Where will I be living?

Accomodations will be either in furnished apartments or dormitory style housing.

Why Haifa?

The city of Haifa is known for its diverse populations of Jews and Arabs, and is home to large social action movements.

Walk away from this trip with:

• An understanding of diversity and social justice in Israel.

• An understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into grassroots organizing.

• Connections to individuals in Israel who are involved in social change efforts.

• A deeper relationship with Israel based on understanding its complexities.

• Inspiration to be a professional change maker.

Safety and Security

The safety and security of participants of the Yahel Social Change Program is of great importance to us. Yahel is registered with the Society for the Protection of Nature control center (Moked Teva), who operate 24/7 and give us security directives. Additionally, we receive all security alerts posted by the Security Department of Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and its subsidiary company The Israel Experience in real time. The security situation is closely monitored throughout the program and Yahel reserves the right to cancel or change itineraries due to security concerns. Participants should follow safety instructions from Yahel staff at all times. Yahel is not responsible for the safety of the participants during their free weekends.