Hand in Hand's 2025 Educational Leadership Conference: "Advancing Equality—Together"
What sets Hand in Hand’s educators apart?
Well, a lot!
For one, our teachers work in co-teaching teams, so their starting point is one of cooperation, partnership, and the pursuit of mutual understanding. The truth is, our teachers learn from one another nonstop.
One of the ways we facilitate this continual learning is through our ‘Educational Leadership Conference,’ which, this year, brought together over 100 teachers for two days of discussions, dialogue, learning, and bonding and enrichment activities.
We sent a team of videographers, including our very own Wadi Ara school graduate, Bar Itamari, to speak with teachers, principals, and senior staff, and glean some insights from the conference.
“It’s just the right thing to do, because in this space, you can really create change and advance equality— together,” remarked Yafit Bavati, Hand in Hand Pedagogic Counselor, when asked why she has chosen to work in the field of bilingual education.
Our teachers spent these two conference days exploring answers to complex issues they deal with daily—like how to cultivate empathy in a war zone, how to build awareness and acceptance across huge cultural divides, and how to encourage students to think radically, creatively, and compassionately. Throughout the conference, teachers shared insights, resources, advice, and experiences relevant to their rare and valuable expertise—educating a generation of Arab and Jewish children in a bilingual, multicultural, and values-based framework.
“I taught students about ancient Greek history and the Spartan Wars,” shared 6th grade teacher at the HIH Kfar Saba school, Gal Pesach. “I asked what they thought about Sparta as a city that fights, and then half the students raised their hands, and they said, ‘In war, there are no winners or losers. Everyone loses.’
“I had two moments with students who came to me,” shared HIH Kfar Saba Principal, Mohammad Kundos, when asked about a significant moment he experienced with students this past year. “One group asked to make a presentation about Gaza, and the other asked to make a presentation about the hostages. To me, the fact that the students feel comfortable enough to express what’s on their mind, and feel like they are part of the change, that is worth everything.”
Watch the full video above. Please watch and share!
