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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

Director of Finance

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 a mother of four – Diyaa, Nuran, Mohammed, and Umniya. A PhD candidate in the Department of Social Work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Ben-Gurion University and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Hebrew University. A graduate of the “Kerem – Israel’s Early Childhood Experts” program and the “Intimaa” program for leadership in the Bedouin community. She enjoys walking, hiking in the mountains, playing netball, and cooking.

Current roles:

  • Co-Director of the Child Health and Well-Being Promotion Department at AJEEC – NISPED.
  • Leads health promotion and healthy lifestyle initiatives, including the “Al-Razi” program encouraging young people to join health professions and strategies to improve the quality of early childhood education.
  • Member of the “Nabat” research incubator, the “Intimaa” leadership network for the Bedouin community, and the “Kerem” leadership network.
  • Facilitates groups in health, parenting, and early childhood fields and is a member of the Autism Forum at Ben-Gurion University.

Previous roles:

  • Head of the Socio-Economic Action Department at AJEEC – Leading fields of community resilience, health, early childhood education, women’s employment, and emergency preparedness.
  • Public health nurse at the Ministry of Health – Leading the system for detecting and screening children on the autism spectrum.
  • Director of the “Efshari Bari” (“Healthy Is Possible”) program in the Lakia local council.
  • Pediatric nurse in the children’s ward at Soroka Medical Center and at Clalit Health Services.

I believe in the power of people and the importance of focusing on their strengths. Every individual holds unique potential, and sometimes all that is needed is someone to believe in them – I strive to be that person. For me, investing in early childhood is the key to broad social change, laying the foundations for a better, more equitable, and inclusive future.

Yana Shaked

Director of Human Resources

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

Director of Marketing Communications

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

Director of the AJEEC Youth Movement “Shabiba”

Resident of Kseifeh, married and a father of three.

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 strong believer in young leadership with an educational-social impact that drives and integrates into key roles and positions of influence within Arab society in particular, and Israeli society 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."

Khaled Madlage

Director of Employment Gap Years

Khaled Madlage, resident of Kafr Qara, married with three children. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Resources and a Master’s degree in Occupational Psychology from the University of Haifa. Additionally, he is certified in guided imagery therapy and group facilitation.

Current Roles:

Manager of Employment Gap Years at AJEEC. Lecturer and consultant in employment and academic guidance, and group facilitator.

Past Roles:

Managed various organizations and government programs in the field of employment within the Arab sector, such as the Riyan Center and a tech employment program. Worked as an occupational psychologist for the Civil Service Commission and managed human resources for Almashdawi King Store.

I am a strong believer in the value of persistent, relentless action. No matter the circumstances, we must keep going until our last breath

Suheir Abu Akel

Director of 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

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.”

khawla Alturi

Co-Director of Shared Society

31 years old, mother of two daughters, Nisan and Talia, and married to Omar. She is originally from Lod, and recently moved to Rahat. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and is a Master’s student in Gender Studies at Tel Aviv University.

Past Roles:

Worked for nearly four years in group facilitation, with mixed groups of high school graduates in the joint programs of the Scouts and AJEEC, as well as with Jewish and Arab teachers, training them for shared society within schools. Additionally, she worked with students in leadership programs at Sapir College through Rothschild partnerships and leads the Leadership Women’s Forum in the Eastern Negev Region.

Those who feel the desire to begin will not be content with crawling

Asma Abu Jamma

Director 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

David Shavlev

Co-Director of Child Health and Welfare Department

Married to Yifat, father of five, lives in Einav.

Holds an Executive MBA from Bar-Ilan University, a Master’s degree in Health Sociology from Bar-Ilan, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from the Open University. Additionally, completed a course in service improvement led by Dr. Tamuz and the Ministry of Welfare and a professional course in resource pooling.

Currently serves as the volunteer CEO of the “Doron for Einav” Association and is a board member of the regional council where he lives.

Current Roles:

Co-Director of the Child Health and Welfare Department at AJEEC. Also, manages health initiatives at the Yanabia Association and participates in regional and national health forums.

Past Roles:

Worked for 16 years in various managerial roles at Chimes Israel, providing services to individuals with special needs. His last role in the organization was as National Manager for Early Childhood and Nursing Adult Services, managing dozens of facilities, and building partnerships with government offices and 20 municipalities across Israel. Additionally, served as the organization’s professional Chief Information Officer and a family and financial consultant at Paamonim.

In the Negev, the people of Israel and their state will be tested" (David Ben-Gurion)

Hanan Bari

- Director of the BridgeTech Program and Leadership Institute in Kfar Qassem

Hanan Bari, 32, mother of three wonderful children, lives in Kfar Qassem. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Learning Disabilities and is certified as a sign language interpreter.

Manages the BridgeTech programs and the Kfar Qassem Leadership Institute. Also works as an interpreter for Israeli sign language to Hebrew/Arabic and vice versa, and conducts training for special education teachers through the Ministry of Education.

Past Roles:

Worked on projects to integrate deaf and hard-of-hearing women into the workforce.

I believe that change begins with the individual’s step towards the group (individualism to collectivism)

Jana Khatib

Director of Gap Year Programs “Kimam” and “Taliyah” in the Central Region

Resident of Jaljulia.

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Political Science and a Master’s degree in Gender Studies.

Past Roles:

Managed the volunteer program in the Jaljulia Local Council and was the professional manager for the Arab sector at the Education for Excellence organization.

It is better to light a candle than to complain about the darkness

Maram Mansour

Director of Alumni

33, from Nazareth, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, a Master’s degree in Community Change, and is certified in group facilitation.

Current Roles:

Has been working at AJEEC for over six years. She was the Coordinator of the Sabil Leadership Institute in Nazareth and, in the past two years, has been managing the alumni department.

Past Roles:

Worked in the Nazareth municipality’s welfare department as a group facilitator for youth. She also worked in teaching special education students and opened her own center for student development and support.

Giving is an essential part of life, and what you give will definitely be returned to you

Ali Abu Ajaj

Director of Government Relations

Father of Hassan, Ahmad, and Hani. Husband of Dr. Lama, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Currently residing in Be’er Sheva.

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences, Management, and Economics, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ben-Gurion University.

Past Roles:

Managed the STEM and ecosystem department for the Bedouin community in the Negev—regional partnership for promoting tech education and employment in high-tech for the Bedouin society in the Negev under Eshkolot Negev, the Rothschild Fund, and the Economic and Social Development Directorate. Also managed the Kuseife Community Center, which included managing informal education, promoting national programs, and managing departments for youth, sports, women, early childhood, and national programs. Additionally, managed employer relations at the Rayan Centers – Southern Headquarters during the pilot and establishment phases.

I believe in the power of society and community, that diversity and variety among its members create the richness that enables growth and development. Shared living, despite its challenges, offers a unique opportunity to create a strong and resilient social fabric. Through continuous collaboration and dialogue, a healthy and balanced society can arise, capable of addressing the challenges of the present and the future

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.

Be the best version of yourself

Avigayil Hatzur Sivan

Co-Director of the 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 t 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"

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