"Transforming Diversity Into an Asset"— Hand in Hand's Multicultural Preschool Program
As the only network of integrated, bilingual, and multicultural schools in Israel—Hand in Hand plays a vital role in uplifting and shaping the educational landscape. We not only develop the necessary tools and infrastructure to ensure our bilingual schools thrive, we also actively share the practices, values, and tools we’ve refined over years of experience.
We collaborate with other preschools outside of the HIH network in service of our mission—spreading shared society, and introducing as many schools as possible to our unique, values-based and bilingual approach.
The Multicultural Preschool Program
This year, Hand in Hand staff partnered with four preschools in Nof Hagalil, where many Arab families send their children to Jewish preschools for lack of alternatives. Both parents and local municipal officials were delighted with the Hand in Hand program; the city’s education supervisor shared that the program is “transforming the preschool’s diversity into an asset.”
We were also thrilled to launch a new collaboration with the wonderful preschool teachers at the WIZO early childhood center in Jaffa. The teacher training program consisted of two main components: monthly staff workshops and biweekly in-class mentoring sessions with our pedagogic experts. In the workshops, teachers explored specific themes and skills, while in the biweekly visits, they learned how to implement classroom activities, and worked directly with our pedagogic counselors to bring these ideas to life.
The topics covered this year were wide-ranging, and rooted in the belief that a multitude of languages and cultures enriches the educational experience. Teachers have engaged with:
- Bilingual language development: Building rich vocabulary in both Arabic and Hebrew, allowing each language to take up significant space in the classroom, and encouraging dialogue and conversation with children in both language.
- Children’s literature: Discovering books in Arabic, Hebrew, and bilingual editions, exploring storytelling technique, and bringing stories to life through theater as a way of bolstering language acquisition.
- Music and song: Teaching songs in both languages to improve vocabulary and rhythm, singing live with children, engaging in movement during songs.
- Arts and materials: Exploring how to engage with children during art-making to strengthen their language skills and imagination, experimenting with clay, crayons, finger paints, and collage.
- Puppet theater: Creating sock puppets, developing characters with distinct voices, languages, and cultures, and using them to explore myriad identities and emotions.
WIZO teachers reported that Hand in Hand’s coaching proved doubly valuable, extending to cover many of their students’ ancillary needs as well.
Celebrating Diversity, Building Community
One of the year’s highlights was the shared “Hanukkah-Christmas” celebration in December—planned and led together by the Hand in Hand facilitators and the preschool staff. Songs, stories, and symbols from both Hanukkah and Christmas filled the space, creating a festive, inclusive event for children and families alike.
Throughout the year, the Jaffa preschool environment itself became more visibly and audibly bilingual. Classrooms now feature more books, songs, and art materials in both languages, and staff have embraced integrating Arabic and Hebrew naturally into daily routines—at mealtime, in free play, during art, and in circle time.
An additional highlight was the WIZO staff’s trip to Hand in Hand’s early childhood center in Haifa. At the daycare, the group observed classes, spoke with HIH Haifa staff, and explored how the physical space, learning environment, and daily routines support bilingual, multicultural values from infancy. At our bilingual Haifa preschool, thought and care have gone into every aspect of learning—from the classroom design, to the use of small group work, and the way both Hebrew and Arab permeate the physical space.
Sharing Expertise, Growing Impact
The Multicultural Preschool Program is one of many ways Hand in Hand nurtures an educational culture of multiculturalism beyond our network. As our schools grow and our pedagogic work and expertise deepen, so does our commitment to sharing what we’ve learned. Whether through study visits, workshops, or partnerships across the country, we are committed to multiplying the impact of integrated education—so that more children, educators, and families across Israel can experience its enormous benefits firsthand.
