Israel’s Future Leaders: Success at the Local Level

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Political incitement, scandals, and Israel’s unresolved economic and diplomatic quagmires have reduced Israelis’ faith in their elected officials to record low levels. And yet the social protests movement of 2011 saw a wave of young people enter politics at the local level and new alliances emerge that are beginning to show real results and impact.

Where will Israel’s future leaders emerge from? What are the views of this new generation, fed up with the traditional, divisive politics? Ronit Heyd has directed Shatil, the New Israel Fund’s operational arm in Israel, as it has nurtured surprising new victories and coalitions. She shares with us now an inspiring vision of the country’s future.

We invite you to join one of Israel’s most prominent women changemakers to discuss how American progressives and our partners in Israel are working to pursue a democratic Israel, as its founders envisioned.

Ronit Heyd joined Shatil in 2001 and was appointed Executive Director in 2010.  She oversees the management of all Shatil projects, consultation and training, coalition activities, fundraising and administration and serves as the primary link between Shatil and the New Israel Fund and its Board of Directors. Prior to becoming Shatil’s Executive Director she coordinated our Religious Pluralism Project, and directed the Social and Economic Justice Initiative. In these roles, Ronit gave direct consulting and training to organizations, organized and coordinated coalition and campaigns on a variety of issues, and initiated several innovative projects. Ronit holds an M.A. in Social Psychology from the Hebrew University. She was a teacher and editor and is also a published writer of a series of children’s stories.

The New Israel Fund is the leading organization committed to equality and democracy for all Israelis. Widely credited with building Israeli progressive civil society, NIF has provided over $300 million dollars to more than 900 cutting-edge organizations since its inception in 1979. More about NIF here.

Shatil was founded in 1982 to complement NIF’s grant making by providing grantees and other social change organizations with hands-on assistance and training in the basics of non-profit management. As a capacity-building center for grassroots organizations, Shatil provides tools that empower its clients to improve their lives and communities and build institutions to promote long-term social change. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful capacity building centers, Shatil regularly originates, discovers and disseminates best practices to Israel’s growing NGO sector. More than 1000 organizations are currently receiving assistance from Shatil

Now officially recognized by the United Nations, Shatil has evolved into NIF’s action arm, — launching innovative programs, building coalitions, and working at the forefront of social change in Israel. Today, Shatil often takes the initiative in spearheading national advocacy and emergency campaigns. More about Shatil here.

Price: Free