Mirit Haibi Barak, Director, Student Department and Northern Region, Memizrach Shemesh

Students from Beer Sheva, Afula and Migdal HaEmeq, all participants in the Kol Israel Haverim – Memizrach Shemesh Netu'im program, met with local leaders involved in leading change as part of their annual event held on the 21st of Sivan (May 30, 2013). Their day began with a meeting with Ms. Chen Kadosh, a community activist and alumnus of the Memizrach Shemesh – Kol Israel Haverim KEMACH program, and with Mr. Avi Sebbag, Director of the The Naggar School of Photography, Media and New Music in Musrara, Jerusalem. The two leaders discussed the changes they led in their neighborhood, Musrara. Later during the day, participants met with Ms. Tal Ohanna, Vice-Mayor of Yeruham, who shared how she decided to return there to join in the leadership of her hometown.

The students visited the Kotel, learned about the connection between leadership within and external leadership, and concluded the day with paytan Hacham David Menachem, graduate of the Memizrach Shemesh – Kol Israel Haverim program for rabbinic social leadership and a leader in the piyut revolution. The participants were very enthusiastic about their many encounters and, as budding local leaders themselves, had their own personal questions to ask.

The Netu'im program seeks to reshape the perception of leadership in Israeli society and to highlight aspects such as sensitivity to social issues and the sense of solidarity and commitment to others, so as to resituate them alongside characteristics usually identified with leadership – such as assertiveness, ability direct and charisma. The Netu'im event was a peak day in the program.