Click on the map for a high-resolution version.
When you support the New Israel Fund of Canada, you’re supporting a network of organizations and activists working on the ground in Israel to bridge divides and advance civil rights. Your contribution promotes democracy, equality and justice across the country, and for all of Israel’s diverse citizens.
Here are our 2018 projects, categorized by our core issue areas:
[rule style=”rule-dotted” ]
Civil and Human Rights
NEW ISRAEL FUND: CIVIL LIBERTIES LAW FELLOWS PROGRAM
New Israel Fund advances liberal democracy in Israel through investing in and advocating for social justice organizations. This project trains young Israeli lawyers in issues of human rights and civil liberties. Fellows study towards a Masters in Civil Rights Law at Washington D.C.’s American University, followed by a placement at a civil society organization in Israel.
ACRI: PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) defends civil liberties in Israel and the Occupied Territories through litigation and education. Our 2018 project includes developing Human Rights Week education and a hotline for human rights complaints.
SHATIL: LOWERING THE WALLS
Shatil, our operating arm in Israel, is committed to building a just and democratic state.Through strengthening social justice organizations, it fosters social and economic justice for Arab and Jewish citizens alike. Our 2018 project educates Jerusalem residents from a range of backgrounds on countering racism in their communities.
ENHANCING SHATIL’S CAPACITY TO STRENGTHEN ISRAEL’S NON-PROFIT SECTOR
Shatil consults with hundreds of social justice organizations each year. This year, Shatil’s Evaluation Unit is running courses about expanding reach and tracking impact for organizations that promote justice and equality.
SHATIL: STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF REFUGEE ORGANIZATIONS
With Shatil as its on-the-ground partner, NIFC has long invested in strengthening NGOs that support marginalized groups like Israel’s 35, 000 African asylum seekers. This year, as government flip-flopping leaves the asylum seekers in continued distress and uncertainty, Shatil will train and consult with organizations that help this vulnerable group, to enhance their impact.
IR AMIM: PUBLIC EDUCATION ON PALESTINIAN RIGHTS IN EAST JERUSALEM
Ir Amim seeks to make Jerusalem more equitable for Palestinian residents through policy monitoring and legal advocacy. Our 2018 project operates study tours of East Jerusalem, and gives educational and legal support to residents’ committees to ensure basic service and infrastructure needs are met.
ACRI: HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES PROJECT
Through research, legal work and education, ACRI challenges human rights abuses and improves the status of West Bank and East Jerusalem residents. Our 2018 project pursues legal action against illegal Jewish settlements and forced evictions of Palestinians, and raises awareness about prejudice against Palestinians in the legal system.
HOTLINE FOR REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS (HRM): EMERGENCY NEEDS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS FACING DEPORTATION IN ISRAEL
HRM supports refugees and asylum seekers in Israel through monitoring detention centres and providing asylum seekers with legal representation and psychological aid. Our 2018 project supports HRM in mobilizing community support and leading a campaign to show the government that the Israeli public and international community oppose asylum seeker deportations.
Social and Economic Justice
GIVAT HAVIVA: SHARED COMMUNITIES PROGRAM IN ZEMER AND EMEK HEFER
GIvat Haviva helps break down barriers between divided groups in Israel through cross-community projects and promotion of Jewish-Arab dialogue. Our 2018 project builds cooperation between the lower Galilee’s Arab local council of Zemer and the Jewish regional council of Emek Hefer. The project builds opportunities for both communities, through initiatives like a school robotics program in Zemer and a joint music centre for youth from both communities.
SHAHARIT: CREATING COMMON CAUSE – WORKING GROUPS
Shaharit is a leadership incubator that bolsters vulnerable communities in Israel through education and partnerships that bridge social, religious, ethnic divides. Our current project strengthens leadership in the Haredi, Russian-speaking, Mizrahi, Arab and religious Zionist communities.
ADVA CENTRE: PUBLIC EDUCATION ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS
Adva Center monitors inequality in Israel’s budgets and social services. Adva’s research and education empowers marginalized groups to understand policy-making and initiate change. Our 2018 project includes trainings on how municipal budgets impact disadvantaged groups, mentorship for Jewish and Arab women’s groups and workshops for youth.
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL-ISRAEL (TI-ISRAEL): LOCAL INTEGRITY SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
Transparency International-Israel is part of a global network that fights corruption in governments, businesses and third sector organizations. Through tracking and research, TI-Israel promotes transparency in governments and civil institutions, to ensure democracy and civil rights are upheld, and minorities protected. Our 2018 project helps local municipalities fight corruption and raises awareness about the importance of transparency.
SIKKUY: ADVANCING ISRAEL’S ARAB MINORITY THROUGH EQUAL REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA
Sikkuy fosters equality between Israel’s Arab and Jewish citizens and challenges discrimination against Israel’s Arab minority by promoting their narratives. Our 2018 project monitors Arab appearances in Hebrew media and expands an existing database of Arab experts, which journalists and cultural organizers can draw on to increase Arab representation.
THE ARAB CENTRE FOR ALTERNATIVE PLANNING (ACAP): ALLEVIATING THE HOUSING CRISIS IN THE ARAB SECTOR
ACAP represents the interests of Arab Israelis on planning and development issues. It seeks to advance development and housing options in Arab communities. Our 2018 project works with eight Arab towns to provide leaders with the necessary expertise to navigate bureaucracy around construction approval.
THE ISRAEL ASSOCIATION FOR ETHIOPIAN JEWS (IAEJ): PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR ETHIOPIAN ISRAELIS
IAEJ helps Ethiopian Israelis integrate into Israeli society through advocacy and raising awareness for Ethiopian culture and heritage. Our 2018 project helps absorption centre residents find housing, trains youth to navigate bureaucracy and raises Ethiopian Israelis’ profile in the media.
THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC ACADEMY (SEA):ESTABLISHING A JOINT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The Social Economic Academy gives community leaders from disadvantaged groups the skills to represent their communities and alleviate poverty. Our 2018 project brings together several existing fellowship cohorts representing different minority groups. Through education, leadership training and partnership, they’re working to reduce inequality and poverty across Israel.
Religious Pluralism
NE’EMANEI TORAH VA’AVODAH (NTA): STRENGTHENING TOLERANCE IN THE NATIONAL-RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SYSTEM
NTA strengthens moderate voices in religious Zionist schools. Through youth mentorship and research, NTA combats extremism in the Orthodox community. Our 2018 project includes monitoring gender segregation in schools, recruiting school teachers committed to openness and reviewing curricula.
MAVOI SATUM: HELPING WOMEN DENIED A DIVORCE
Mavoi Satum empowers women denied a Jewish divorce (a ‘get’) through legal representation and psychological support. Our 2018 project includes exposing corruption in the rabbinical court, appealing cases to the Supreme Court and organizing a stigma-busting event.
Women’s Rights
KAYAN FEMINIST ORGANIZATION – TRAINING, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IMPROVE THE STATUS OF ARAB WOMEN IN ISRAEL
Kayan advances the status of Arab-Israeli women in Israel. By engaging women in public life and working with local leaders, it helps more women enter the workforce. Our 2018 project provides education on violence against women and legal representation for women in religious courts.
HALO NECHMADOT (WE ARE NOT NICE): WOMEN IN PUBLIC HOUSING
Halo Nechmadot is a group that helps disadvantaged women access public housing. Through outreach and education, it raises awareness about the need for equitable housing options. Our 2018 project assists women facing eviction orders, promotes construction of new public housing units and runs a support network for single mothers.
SHATIL: ADVANCING RIGHTS FOR WOMEN IN PUBLIC HOUSING
Shatil advances public housing opportunities for disadvantaged groups such as single mothers. Our 2018 project supports female public housing tenants through trainings about their rights and publicizes corruption among housing employees.