Teens Make a Difference is a program that aims to bring together students from different sectors of Israeli society, while at the same time improving students’ overall English skills, and in particular: their ability to communicate in spoken English. The program promotes tolerance and mutual respect between students of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, providing them with an opportunity to communicate their perspectives and beliefs in a neutral and unbiased setting. Furthermore, it gives students an opportunity to examine their views on controversial issues, current affairs, social equality and co-existence. This unique program moves from the individual realm to the international realm through three formats: Poetry Slam, Social Entrepreneurship, and Model UN. We aim to bring the world into the classroom and as such prepare students for the future as responsible and active citizens and leaders. Read more…

The emotional, social, and pedagogical challenges faced by our schools as a result of the war in Gaza and the long standing conflict demand a proactive response to ensure the well-being and resilience of our students and staff. In response to these challenges, Amal has started implementing a comprehensive strategy focused on identity formation. Our goals include the training of the  educational teams with the necessary skills and tools to effectively address issues of social resilience, identity, and belonging, building trust and confidence between network management and educational teams to foster trust, support, and confidence in addressing identity issues amidst challenging circumstances and utilizing research-Based pedagogy through the guidance and expertise of research institutions. Funding is requested to cover expenses associated with organizing conferences, workshops, seminars, research collaborations, and related materials. With your support, we can ensure that our schools remain bastions of social justice, freedom, and equality.

Amal has always believed in the importance of debate and initiated the Amal Debate Program in 2005. For the last five years, Amal has collaborated with the Ministry of Education and the U.S. Embassy in the implementation of Israel’s National Debate Program in junior high schools throughout the country.
This program was developed by Amal’s English Department with the aim of fostering greater tolerance for the viewpoints of others. It brings together students from different sectors of Israeli society and gives them the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics in a thoughtful, creative and respectful manner. The debate tournament and, more importantly the training leading up to it, provides students with essential skills and tools and helps develop logical and critical thinking.  Read more…

Reading for Pleasure is a bagrut (matriculation) requirement and assists students in becoming fluent readers, thereby improving their English language skills. Just a few minutes of reading once or twice a week can make a huge difference. English teachers spark reading motivation by making Reading for Pleasure an integral and regular part of the weekly schedule throughout the year and encourage students to continue reading at home. Fluent readers should find it an empowering, creative and engaging experience since it is an opportunity to ‘travel’ to other places, times and worlds. It can also be therapeutic in that it is a means of developing empathy while simultaneously providing an ‘escape of sorts’ during difficult and/or unsettled times. Book Club for Students was one of the first programs implemented by the Amal English Department.  Read more…

The aftermath of the Gaza War has deeply affected Israeli youth, leaving them scarred, fearful, and distrustful. Amal seeks to address these challenges by implementing successful models from Jewish communities worldwide, offering transformative summer camps to its students. These camps go beyond traditional education, providing holistic growth encompassing social, emotional, and therapeutic dimensions. Participants develop vital life skills like resilience and confidence, fostering connections with peers from diverse backgrounds. In Israel’s complex landscape, these camps serve as therapeutic havens, offering a safe space for healing from trauma. By uniting students from different backgrounds, they dissolve suspicion and mistrust, fostering understanding through shared experiences, collaborative problem-solving, and supportive friendships. Israeli summer camps thus emerge as more than educational settings; they become powerful agents of unity, empathy, and healing in the face of adversity.

Today, Arab Israeli and Jewish teens are not familiar with each other’s language when they finish school. The Program believes that by fostering language proficiency in Arabic across Jewish schools and Hebrew across Bedouin and Arab-Israeli communities, we could break down barriers, and provide a unique opportunity for Amal students to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry that defines Israel. By learning each other’s languages, students will gain a deeper understanding of the historical, linguistic, and cultural nuances that shape the identities of their peers. The program seeks to cultivate empathy by encouraging direct engagement and shared experiences. Through language learning, students will develop the ability to appreciate different perspectives, fostering compassion and breaking down stereotypes. Learning a new language is not merely an academic exercise; it is an immersive experience that allows individuals to connect on a profound level. The bonds formed between Jewish and Arab-Israeli students can serve as a foundation for lasting friendships and partnerships, transcending divisive narratives.

Amal Educational Network aspires to reopen its Pedagogical Center to provide a strong educational foundation for its 50 schools amidst a rapidly evolving landscape. As an education provider in a competitive field, Amal faces significant challenges, including the transformative impact of AI on educational practices and the pressing need to address societal polarization in Israel. This is particularly valid as Amal Schools are spread across all groups of Israeli society. Schools are crucial for fostering balanced perspectives and mitigating extreme views, hence must adopt content and activities to respond to such challenges.  Read more…

Civic Innovation Hubs is a transformative initiative aimed at embedding democratic education within schools across Israel’s diverse demographic groups. By establishing unique pedagogical hubs led by dedicated coordinators, the project seeks to empower teachers and students with the skills necessary for active citizenship. Coordinators, supported by Amal Experts, will assess democratic practices, create annual programs, and organize tailor-made study days to engage educators. These hubs will train teachers in managing complex discourse, promoting ethical responsibility, and combating misinformation, ensuring that democratic values are deeply integrated into the curriculum and school culture.

The initiative places a special emphasis on civil engagement, encouraging students to participate in social organizations, civic campaigns, and hackathons. At the end of each year, the project’s impact will be evaluated through feedback from both teachers and students, with the ultimate goal of expanding the program over 3-5 years. Through Civic Innovation Hubs, Amal aims to foster informed and active citizens who would contribute to society. Read more…

The Amal Educational Network is seeking funding to launch “Journey into Israeli Society and Democracy,” a week-long initiative integral to its transformation into Israel’s first Mamlachti-Democratic education network. This initiative aims to provide students with an inclusive understanding of Israeli society through curated meetings, activities, lectures, and trips that emphasize democratic values and shared societal responsibilities. This program is unique as it aims to involve students, parents and teachers in its design, ensuring it reflects the diverse and multifaceted nature of Israeli society. The objectives of the journey are to promote diversity and inclusion by exposing students to various communities within Israel, such as Arabs, Druze, and Bedouins; foster democratic values through interactive sessions; expand religious understanding by teaching about different religions; and encourage community involvement. Read more…