Team

Hanadi Sha’er

Vice CEO

Resident of Beer Sheva, originally from Yafia.

A social worker with an M.S. in Public Policy Administration.
Graduate of the Rothschild Ambassadors Organization for growing leadership. 

Hanadi feels that it is extremely important for different sectors to work together to advance policy and reduce socio-economic disparities across all communities, particularly within Israel’s Arab society

Past roles:

Managed safe houses for victims of domestic violence in the Yachdav NGO, freelance advisor and provider of support for organizations in crisis and facilitating groups composed of diverse populations of youth, people with disabilities, female victims of domestic violence, and so forth

I am convinced that any challenge we encounter in life is a valuable lesson for our further development and growth. Out of crisis we grow and if we fail to see a challenge as an opportunity, then we must have missed something

Ilan Amit

Co-CEO

A husband and a father of three. Born and raised in the Negev, currently living in Jerusalem. Holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and a Ph.D. in Anthropology and Immigration from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. A weekend scuba diver who loves the sea and live music.

Current roles:

 Ilan has been developing, managing, and leading community planning and development programs promoting a joint Arab-Jewish society for two decades. Ilan has worked with the Arab-Bedouin society in the Negev and within the Israeli-Palestinian space while simultaneously doing academic work – researching, writing, and publishing academic papers related to his fieldwork.

In his work in civil society, Ilan laid the foundations for programs narrowing gaps in health, environmental development programs, and education for a shared society. In the academic world, Ilan lectured at the Ben-Gurion University, the University of Amsterdam, the Open University, and the Amsterdam University College – in academic courses and programs focused on the Middle East and civil society. Over the years, Ilan led and participated in a variety of exchange programs, mutually learning from local and international mediation and conflict resolution models, including Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and more.


AJEEC's superpower is the ability to turn unfamiliarity with the Other and negative interdependence into tremendous positive motivation to promote a shared society and build a better future.

Sliman Al-Amour

Co-CEO

Resident of Kseifeh, 42 years old, married and a father of five.
M.S. in Public Administration and Policy from the Hebrew University.
Graduate of: the Maoz Fellowship Program; a group facilitators course run by Kay college and the Ministry of Education; Shatil’s “Enabling Leadership” course; and, the “Window to Government” program – an introduction to the interface between civil society organizations and the government ministries

Current roles:

Has been working in AJEEC for 15 years and has filled the role of Co-CEO of the organization for the past two years. Leader of AJEEC’s strategic plan, developer of community programs, and pioneer of work processes which are based on public trust and engagement

Past roles:

Began his work at AJEEC as Coordinator of an empowerment project for boys and girls in the Bedouin communities in the Negev. Coordinated, among other things, the Taliyah Gap Year for Arab women. Managed the team of coordinators who work within AJEEC’s “Volunteer Tent”. In 2009, Sliman became the manager of the Volunteer Tent and began working on forming partnerships with local authority leaders, deans in colleges and universities, and managers of social organizations and government ministries.

Meeting and discussing together is just the beginning. Persevering together is progress, and working together for the greater good is success

Kher Albaz

Chairman

Resident of Tel Sheva, married, father of seven.
B.A. in social work from Ben Gurion University in the Negev, M.A. in Planning and Social Policy from WLU in Canada, M.B.A. from the University of Haifa. Graduated from courses in social and economic systems management. 

A poetry and sci-fi movies enthusiast

Current roles:

Expert on government social policy and current trends in Bedouin society. Involved in a broad range of projects related to community planning and development, both at the local and national level. Serving as a member of the board of directors in several civil society organizations including Sapir College,  the Abraham Fund Initiative, Igul-Letova, Midot, and others. Member of the Board of Governors of Ben Gurion University and a member of the Public Council – Magen Israel for fighting the Coronavirus.

Past roles:

Many years as manager of the regional Welfare authority, which provided services to Segev Shalom, Kseifeh, Ar’ara and the unrecognized Bedouin localities in the Negev. Worked as welfare and social worker in Canada for three years.

I regard the lives of people, wherever they may be, to be of supreme value and work to create a shared space where equal opportunities for education and employment prevail for all. I believe in every individual’s right to live with dignity and with a sense of belonging and security

Laila Srour

National Manager, Gap Years

Laila was born and raised in the village of Eilabun and has lived in Kafr Kanna for 13 years with her husband and three children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University and a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Haifa. She is a graduate of the Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North and is actively involved in the employment of Arab women.

Current roles:

National Gap Year Director at AJEEC-NISPED, responsible for the activity of young adults participating in gap years, and for the development and expansion of activity in the coming months in collaboration with government and philanthropic partners.

Past roles:

Over the past decade, Laila engaged in project management for youth from Israel’s Arab society and managed systemic change processes in the Maoz organization, where she built multiple and diverse partnerships

I believe in the inherent potential of our young people and in their ability to lead Arab society both at the local and national level. Our job is to create the optimal conditions for them to develop and realize this potential

Liora Schraiber

Finance Manager

Mother of four. In her free time she enjoys music, travel, reading, seminary studies, conversations with friends, and pottery.

One of the founders of Migvan – the Urban Kibbutz in Sderot, where she remains a member to this day.

Current roles:

Has been working with AJEEC since 2006. Since 2013, she has been the organization’s Finance Officer.

Past roles:

A social worker by vocation, which has helped with her success in the organization.

The aim is the creation of sane alternatives for living in our challenging country

Ahlam Abu Karen

Co-Director of Child Health and Welfare Department

Married and mother of four. Ahlam is a Ph.D. student at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She has a B.A. in Nursing from Ben Gurion University, majoring in early childhood, sponsored by the Schwartz Program at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. 

Hiking enthusiast, lover of hill hiking and reading

Current roles:

Co-Director of Child Health and Welfare Department which operates programs in the fields of: health promotion, early childhood, community resilience, and women’s employment (all within the Bedouin society). Member of the Autism Forum at the Center for Autism at Ben Gurion University and a group facilitator on health, parenting, and preschool

Past roles:

Worked as a nurse at Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, where her first assignment as a nurse was to identify and diagnose children on the autism spectrum in early childhood. She later worked in the area of public health in the Ministry of Health. Graduate of the Parent Group Facilitation course at Kay College; the Community Health Leadership course from the Specialization Center at Tel HaShomer; and a managers’ course for assistance and treatment for families with autistic children and loved ones

The person that moves mountains starts out by moving little rocks

Yana Shaked

Human Resources Manager

Married and mother of three.

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a Master’s degree in Labor Studies from Tel-Aviv University

Past roles:

 Yana has 20 years of experience in human resource management within various fields, including employee lifecycle management, employee-manager guidance and development, work programs for the field of development and training, career paths, and more. 

Yana joined AJEEC out of a desire for challenging and meaningful work, learning and development – a position through which she can give of herself, and contribute her experience to the organization. 

I believe in looking at others with a favorable eye - seeing their uniqueness and strengths, and providing answers and solutions based on one’s specific needs and circumstances

Yahav Eshed

Marketing and Communications Manager

38 years old, married to Alon, mother of three, living in Kibbutz Sde Yoav.

B.A. in communication from Sapir College and an M.B.A. from Ben Gurion University.

Past roles:

 15 years in marketing, sales, and public relations including many years as a media consultant at a public relations office. Also served as advisor and support for sales-related training processes for employees in a company with hundreds of employees in Europe.

Be the change you want to see in the world.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Omar al Amour

Manager Shabibat AJEEC Youth Organization

Resident of Kseifeh, married and a father of two.

B.A. in Physical Education from the Kay Academic College and an M.A. in Public Administration and Policy from the Ben Gurion University in the Negev.

Past roles:

Worked in the PERACH Organization for 6 years as a coordinator and later on the manager of the first PERACH team in the Arab society in the south. Later on managed complementary (informal) education programming at Alsadiq School in Kseifeh. Worked 6 years in the Alhayat Hura Comprehensive School, as a physical education teacher and coordinator of social education in the school

I am a great believer in young leadership, influential at the social-educational level and leading toward integration in key influencing roles within Arabic society in the south and in general

Hila Elhayany

Resource Development Director

Born and raised in the Negev.

Singular mother to Shir  and Dor.

Holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology and an MBA – specializing in non-profit management.

 

Past roles:

Hila worked for many years in the fields of identity and shared society. She was an emissary of the Jewish Agency in Delaware, and later developed informal education programs in the fields of Jewish identity for the Israeli educational system.

Coordinated the resource development system for the Ben Yakir Youth Village within the framework of the Jewish Agency. Directed the Zika Gan Yavne program – which promotes Israeli Judaism and community building. She managed the partnerships array at the Shahaf Foundation, which is focused on community building.

 

"I believe with all my heart in the power of encounters. A meeting held with an open heart and a willing soul sharpens the identity of each of the parties, enables dialogue and cooperation, lowers barriers and stigmas, and opens a window to a better future. We live together in this complex and beloved country, and it is our duty to promote a shared life that benefits everyone."

Avigayil Hatzur Sivan

Co-Manager of the Organizational Knowledge and Development Center

Manager of the Organizational Knowledge and Development Center–responsible for innovation and organizational workflow.

Married to Nadav and mother to three children, a dog, three cats, three rabbits, and two hamsters.

Member of Kibbutz Maanit.

Research MA in community social work for social change.

Current roles:

 

Co-Manager of the Organizational Knowledge and Development Center, social entrepreneur who works in program development, leading processes of strategic thinking, professionalism, knowledge development, content and training.

Expert in working with marginalized communities with an emphasis on youth and young adults dealing with life on the margins, risk and social exclusion, as well as developing and leading social ventures designed to create solutions to diverse social problems, with an emphasis on intersections of parenthood and young women at risk, employment in risk situations, gender- and trauma-sensitive work, and sustainable community development.

 

"Where there is love, there is life"

Suheir Abu Akel

Manager Volunteer and Leadership Programs, Northern Region

Age 39, mother of Rouaa and Wared lives in Kfar Yasif, originally from Akko.

M.A. in Human Resource Management, group facilitator, coach, parent counsellor and developer of inspirational cards for groups and schools

Past roles:

In the past six years Suheir has worked on inclusion of women in gainful employment. She has managed Employment Circles centers in the north and the Eshet Hayil Program in the Misgav District of the Be’Atsmi Organization.

I am a firm believer in the power of youths to make a difference and influence and I believe in group strength

Asma Abu Jamma

Manager of Volunteer and Leadership programs, Southern Region

Resident of Arara in the Negev, born in 1991. B.A. in Human Resource Management from Sapir College and is currently studying for an M.A. in Preschool Education in the Schwartz Program for Policy and Administration at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Her hobbies include cooking, design and flower arrangement

Current role:

Manager of the Al Razi Gap Year for the Health, Medical, and Paramedical Professions.

Past roles:

In charge of Occupational Efficacy Development processes for youths in Bedouin society at the Rayan Employment Center: individual and group mentoring of the program participants through finding the employment, placement, perseverance and career development

Every person has been born for a purpose, and has to choose whether to achieve it or stay stuck in the same place as time passes. And he decides and is prepared to make the effort necessary to reach that place he believes he is entitled to

Rona Keshet

Manager, Arab-Jewish Partnership Department

Resident of Hod HaSharon, a life-partner, and a mother of two.

Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and General History from Tel-Aviv University, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Behavior from Rishon LeZion’s College of Management Academic Studies.

 

Current roles :

Rona is the Co-Director of Shared Society at AJEEC – she leads initiatives for the Ministry of Education, directs youth conferences, shared-society courses, community-based gap-year programs, and the development of community programsת and work processes based on trust and professionalism between neighboring local authorities. 

 

Past roles:

Rona has over a decade of experience in management and guidance in the Israeli Scout Movement and the Lod Youth Department. She founded “Common Journey”, a project that runs field trips for youth from a diverse range of communities in Israel. 

"A lover of people and action. She believes that the sky's the limit and, graciousness the way.”

Awatef Abu Maamar

Director of Community Development

From Segev Shalom, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies and a Master’s degree in Conflict Management and Resolution from Ben-Gurion University.

Past roles:

Worked in both formal and informal education across various NGOs and organizations in the Negev. Additionally, she worked as an instructor and lecturer in early childhood education at Achva College and as a group facilitator.

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