Aharai!" - Youth Leading Change"

"Aharai!" is a unique organization which was established 20 years ago in order to develop and nurture young leadership and social involvement among youth from the social and geographic periphery of Israel! This was based on the belief that everyone has the ability to create a healthy lifestyle, to be an equal, contributing and leading citizen in the State of Israel, regardless of where they were born or the environment in which they grew up. At the beginning of 2018, the counselors of "Aharai!" met 8,000 boys and girls from the different populations of Israel. The two main elements which are intertwined in all of our organizational activities are the sense of competence and a sense of belonging. The sense of competence is acquired by the trainees by coping with significant difficulties, as a structured part of the activities. As a result, they experience the sense of success. As an example, "Aharai!" students, who have dropped out of the formal educational frameworks, succeed in completing matriculation in mathematics. Students in preparation for the army, complete a challenging night journey with a stretcher; students in "Aharai!" in the field” face activities that include sleeping outside in a tent for the first time in their lives. These, and other experiences, help the students recognize and appreciate their many inherent abilities. The other central element is the sense of belonging. Many students begin their chapter with "Aharai!" full of complaints about Israel and some are also prejudiced against different populations in society. Through "Aharai!" activities the students meet with various populations in Israeli society, “under the same stretcher”. This reality brings the students to the realization that "our country is what we are and what we create will be a reality." The claims and difficulties are channeled into positive action towards Israeli society. Thanks to monthly support to “Aharai!” through direct bank payment of 40 NIS a month, we will happily issue you an "Aharai!" membership card.