Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel

Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel (Hebrew: יד ביד: המרכז לחינוך יהודי ערבי בישראל, Arabic: يدا بيد: مركز التربية اليهودي العربي في إسرائيل) is a network of integrated, bilingual schools serving Jewish and Arab children in Israel.

Schools are located in Jerusalem, the Galilee, Wadi Ara, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Kfar Saba.

After delays, which included difficulty earning recognition from the Israeli Ministry of Education, the "Bridge over the Wadi" (Gesher al HaWadi, Hebrew: גשר על הואדי‎) school opened its doors on September 1, 2004, with 106 students.

In 2015, an integrated bilingual preschool was founded in Kfar Saba, on the Beit Berl College campus, serving 37 students from Jewish and Arab towns in the Triangle (Israel).

Shortly thereafter, the "Tag Meir" coexistence organization held a support rally to counter those who threaten Arab-Jewish cooperation and promoting racism in Israel.

The prestigious prize celebrates educational institutions that make a significant and long-lasting impact on students, their community, and wider society.

It celebrates the extraordinary achievements of organizations, individuals and governments who are tackling the challenge of living peacefully and productively with diversity.”[15] In December 2014, the White House commissioned a menorah made by students at the Hand in Hand Max Rayne Jerusalem school and invited two of its students to join U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as they welcomed over 500 guests to the White House Hannukkah celebration.

Each of the branches on the multi-colored wooden menorah represents one of the schools' values: Community, Education, Freedom, Human Dignity, Peace, Equality, Solidarity, and Friendship.

It’s what our young people can teach us — that one act of faith can make a miracle, that love is stronger than hate, that peace can triumph over conflict.

"[17] In Israel, Jewish and Arab citizens lead largely separate lives, lacking meaningful opportunities to get to know one another, and overcome social and cultural barriers.

Their educational philosophy is based in the notion that studying together in an inclusive environment, and learning one another's language, narrative, and history, will allow these children to view members of the other group in a more compassionate and nuanced way.

These activities not only strengthen the community surrounding each school, but also inspire wider support for a Jewish-Arab shared society across Israel.

In 2021, the Galilee School earned the Israeli President's annual certificate of distinction for Hope in Israeli Education for its outstanding success in promoting true dialogue and partnership between Arabs and Jews, and in advancing social change through multicultural interactions, humanistic education, and partnership across populations.