Amal Launches “Principal GYM” to Strengthen Collaboration Between School Leaders and Network Executives

 

The Amal Educational Network has unveiled an innovative initiative called “Principal GYM,” designed to bridge the gap between school principals and Amal executives. Recognizing the challenges principals face in navigating bureaucracy and ensuring the best outcomes for their students, Amal has taken a proactive step to enhance trust and communication within its network of schools.

Under the le adership of Karen Tal, Amal’s Director General and a former teacher and principal, the initiative focuses on creating a dialogue between school leaders and headquarters staff. Karen’s commitment to renewing trust with principals has driven all HQ staff to engage directly with schools, listening to their needs and addressing concerns.

“Principal GYM” consists of a series of sessions aimed at fostering knowledge-sharing and open discourse. Each session features a senior Amal executive who presents their role, outlines responsibilities, and listens to feedback from the principals on how to better support their work.

The first session was held with eight principals from the northern region, representing four Jewish and four Arab communities. Yael Nathanel, Amal’s Head of Philanthropy, kicked off the series with a presentation titled “How Fundraising Can Transform School Principals into Community Leaders.” Yael shared insights into the evolution of philanthropy within Jewish communities worldwide and in Israel and offered practical advice on leveraging alumni clubs and crowdfunding to position schools as central pillars in their communities.

Yoav Kossan, head of the eight northern Amal schools and organizer of the series, emphasized the importance of these sessions. He expressed gratitude to Yael for her enlightening presentation, which inspired principals to

think beyond their administrative roles and embrace their potential as community leaders.

The event highlighted the unity and shared purpose of principals from diverse communities, fostering hope for a brighter future. Initiatives like “Principal GYM” exemplify Amal’s ongoing commitment to transforming its schools into cohesive, impactful communities working together for excellence in education and values.

Stay tuned for updates on this empowering program and its progress in strengthening leadership with in the Amal network!