New Hand in Hand School in Beersheva Opens

On September 2, 2007 hundreds of thousands of children flocked to their local schools to begin the new school year.  For the children and their parents walking into the two preschool classes of the Hand in Hand School in Beersheva, the excitement could be felt in the air.  A dream had become reality.  History was being made with the opening of the first bilingual, multi-cultural school in the southern part of Israel.  As in the other three Hand in Hand schools, half of the 49 children were Arab and half were Jewish; in each class there was a Jewish and an Arab co-teacher.

CBS crew filming first day of school in Beersheva.

The opening of the school attracted photographers and reporters from a number of Israeli newspapers and even a CBS new crew.  Numerous officials attended the opening ranging from the Ministry of Education's regional supervisor of preschool education to the Mayor of Beersheva, Ya'akov Turner.  The mayor along with some of the children cut the ribbon officially opening the school.  Turner spoke to the Arab and Jewish children, "Do you know how important it is that you are here together today?  If you can become friends than big people can also become friends together."

Beersheva

Mayor Ya'akov Turner talking to the children.

The parents who had created a non-profit association named Hagar over two years ago have been working hard to create the school.  Last year, they became part of the Hand in Hand system.  Negotiations with the city and with the Ministry quickened and a building was found.  The school is now located in the Na'amat Center almost right in the middle of the city and easily accessible. 

The teachers have felt very positive about the training seminars and the conceptual framework that they had received from Hand in Hand.  They expressed their anticipation for additional sessions to help new teachers adjust to the practical classroom work and ideology of Hand in Hand.

One of the parents, Bar Yuval-Shani, glowed and remarked, "Many people talk about peace but don't do anything.  Those of us who feel that we can make a difference and that we have to have our actions reflect our beliefs have decided to send our children to this school.  This is really a special moment which we believe will help enable our children to live in peace together."

The kindergarten and preschool classes are the first step in establishing a Hand in Hand elementary school in Beersheva.  The parent's group Hagar has been instrumental in launching the program with Hand in Hand providing financial, technical, and educational assistance including teacher and principal training.  In September 2008, a first grade class is planned.