Donate to Bedouin Leadership in Honor of Jack's Birthday!

The challenges facing Bedouin society in the Negev, currently an estimated 330,000, are profound and systemic. Over 60% of Bedouin families live below the poverty line—three times the national average—and educational outcomes reflect this deep inequality. Nearly 30% of Bedouin youth drop out before completing secondary school, and only around half of those who finish receive a full matriculation certificate, compared to 78% in the Jewish population. (Israel Democratic Institute: Statistical Report on Arab Society, 2022) Even more striking, fewer than 5% of Bedouin graduates meet the requirements for higher education in STEM fields, effectively excluding them from Israel’s fast-growing innovation economy. Female employment remains at just 27%, while most men work in low-wage jobs without opportunity for advancement. These challenges are compounded by tribal divisions, widespread urban poverty, a lack of effective civic leadership, and ongoing community violence. Desert Stars was founded in 2013 by Matan Yaffe and Dr. Mohamed Al Nabari to address these challenges. This Bedouin mayor and Jewish social entrepreneur together had a revolutionary vision: to build a new generation of values-driven Bedouin leaders who would take responsibility for their communities and claim their rightful place as full and equal citizens in Israeli society. What began as a small initiative has grown into a comprehensive ecosystem of leadership development programs serving the entire Negev. Our programs serve youth and young adults ages 12–28 from across the Negev—representing all tribes and towns, including 25 unrecognized villages. Many participants are first-generation high school or college students, and a significant number come from low-income or polygamous households. At the core of our work is our Leadership High School, which provides an outstanding education to 240 Bedouin boys and girls. Students learn from both Bedouin and Jewish educators who model leadership and shared citizenship. Beginning next month as we move to our new campus, we will grow our study body each year until 2028 when we reach 650 students from 7th to 12th grades. An intensive daily after-school program adds enrichment in technology, entrepreneurship, arts, sports, and life skills—ranging from surf club and robotics to a nationally competitive biking team. Each year, 70 young Bedouin men and women join our Gap Year Leadership Programs, where they prepare for higher education and civic leadership through academic study (with a focus on Hebrew and English), social entrepreneurship, identity exploration, outdoor leadership, and national exposure to diverse communities. Graduates receive ongoing support through our Alumni Program, which offers up to 10 years of guidance, including academic tutoring, career and scholarship support, and platforms for activism and volunteering. As alumni advance in life and career, we provide tailored programming based on life stage. Our graduates are already trailblazers—joining elite programs like Cadets for Local Government and standing out in universities across the country. As a result of this support, 78% of our alumni pursue higher education, compared to the community 12% average. Our growing Youth Movement operates 14 groups in 10 towns, combining weekly values-based learning with community service. Older participants serve as junior counselors and 20+ annually complete Ministry of Education leadership training alongside Jewish peers. Finally, our Community Department fosters trust and partnership within Bedouin society, offering scholarships, volunteer engagement, and collaboration with local NGOs and municipalities. Together, these programs form a powerful continuum of leadership development, from early adolescence through career and family life—nurturing a network of changemakers transforming the future of the Negev and the State of Israel. Notable Achievements Our impact has been recognized through prestigious awards including: • 2023 Ben Gurion Prize for Democracy, Statehood, and Shared Society • 2023 Goldberg Prize for Middle East Peace • 2020 Jerusalem Unity Award for bringing together disparate sectors of Israeli society Measurement & Evaluation: Our educational development team works with all project managers to set realistic goals each year and follow all necessary M&E procedures. We work with an outside professional evaluation consultant, who collects and analyzes these measurements, and works with our staff in guiding how to grow our impact. • 100% of alumni aged 23-28 are stably employed or studying in higher education (vs. 64% community average for men, 27% for women) • 78% of our alumni pursue higher education, compared to the community 12% average. • 90% graduates from our high school attain full bagrut (matriculation, needed for higher education), compared to community 37% average • 0% drop out rate at our high school, compared to 24% community average Recent measures from our gap year leadership program (ended in July 2025) include: • 96% feel proud to be part of Bedouin society • 88% believe they have the power to influence the future of Bedouin society in the Negev • 79% believe it’s their responsibility to act to improve Jewish-Bedouin relations in the Negev • 96% have hope that the status of Bedouin society will improve • 88% have close friends from other tribes • 96% recognize there are both Jewish and Arab narratives regarding the conflict • 100% reported a stronger understanding of Jewish society and increased motivation to improve Bedouin society due to the program Dr. Jack Stern has been a proud supporter and partner for many years, even founding an online tutoring program that has helped 20 of our alumni to improve their spoken English. We are grateful to him for his trust, partnership, and for using the occasion of his birthday to spread awareness about our work. Happy birthday, Jack!  For more info on Desert Stars, visit our website: https://www.desertstars.org.il... See our strategic plan here: https://desertstars-jusidmanca...