Graduates

Mandel Program for Local Leadership in Baqa al-Gharbiyye

OCTOBER 2014 – JUNE 2016

Tyseer Atamnah

Director, Golden Age NGO

Tyseer is the director of an NGO for the elderly in Baqa al-Gharbiyye and a consultant on employee training and placement. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree from the Schwartz Program for Non-Profit and Public Management at the same institution. He also holds a diploma in group facilitation from the Ministry of Education’s training department, and a diploma in managing day care facilities. Tyseer recently has been developing a vision and strategy for the NGO, so as to improve facilities and services for the elderly in the city. He is married and a father of three, and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Monir Awisst

Director, vegetable gardens of Baqa al-Gharbiyye

Monir is an industrial manager at Netafim, an agro-technology company based at Kibbutz Magal. He also serves as founder and director of the vegetable gardens in the kindergartens of Baqa al-Gharbiyye, and is a member of the local steering committee on health promotion and healthy eating. He holds a diploma in industrial engineering and management from the Amal College in Afula. Monir is working on the development of a Sustainability Education Center, in collaboration with the Al-Quds school and with the help of two other fellows, Shareef Masarwa and Fadi Mawassi. He is married and a father of three, and grew up and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Almas Gnaiem

Coordinator, Afikim employment program for young adults

Almas coordinates the Afikim employment program for young adults, at the Baqa al-Gharbiyye municipal welfare department. Previously she launched a volunteer project in schools that worked with adolescents on emotional and social challenges, and helped them navigate the transition to high school and to young adulthood. Almas holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Tel-Aviv University. Together with Marwa Mgadly Badran, another fellow, Almas initiated “Amal” – a project for the promotion of women’s status and gender equality in Baqa. She grew up in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, is married, and now lives in Jatt. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Naeemah Keadan

Educational and life skills counselor, Al-Qasemi high school

Naeemah is an educational counselor and life skills counselor at the Al-Qasemi high school. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and sociology from the University of Haifa, and a master’s degree in educational counseling from Beit Berl College. She is a graduate of the Avney Rosha school principals’ training course at the University of Haifa, holds diplomas in mediation and in managing social systems, and is a graduate of the Q-Start entrepreneurship development course at the Al-Qasemi College of Education. Naeemah has twenty years of experience in educational counseling. She is a social activist in Baqa al-Gharbiyye’s educational institutions and communities, and a former member of the Baqa women’s committee. Naeemah is also collaborating with another fellow, Amtiaz Katana, on an initiative for the promotion of child friendly urban development. Their endeavor has already won the blessings of Baqa’s mayor and municipal engineering department. She is married and a mother of four, and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Imtiaz Ketana

Teacher and coordinator, Al-Andalus middle school

Imtiaz is a biology teacher, home room teacher, and evaluation coordinator at the Al-Andalus middle school in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and a master’s degree in educational measurement and evaluation and curriculum planning from Beit Berl College. She also holds a teaching and curriculum planning diploma, and is a graduate of the Avney Rosha school principals training course. Imtiaz is a member of the Baqa al-Gharbiyye steering committee for health promotion and healthy lifestyles. She and Naeemah Keadan, another fellow, are leading the initiative for the promotion of child friendly urban development in Baqa. Imtiaz is married and a mother of four, grew up in Taibe, and resides in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nadia Kittany

Director, child development unit, Baqa al-Gharbiyye community center

Nadia directs the child development unit at the Baqa al-Gharbiyye community center, and serves as a communications clinician for the Ministry of Education in Hadera. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the department of communication disorders at Tel-Aviv University, where she is currently studying for a master’s degree in the same field. She also works as a mentor to students and communication clinicians at the Alut autism nonprofit, and is a participant in the “Business and Community” project at the Baqa community center. Together with Razan Mossarwi, another fellow, Nadia initiated a city-wide forum dedicated to preschool education. The two are now turning their efforts to the establishment of a preschool center that will offer all the relevant services. Nadia is also active in the promotion of a regional child development center. She grew up and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Heba Majadla

Educational consultant, Al-Andalus middle school

Heba is an educational consultant at the Al-Andalus middle school in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in educational psychology, both from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, as well as a teaching diploma in psychology from the Open University. She is currently studying for a doctorate in educational psychology at Ben-Gurion University; her research focuses on the relationship between parents and infants, and the subsequent impact on the relationship between them during adolescence. Heba is also involved in researching the place of Arab women in the public sphere in Baqa, in particularly regarding employment and education. She is married and a mother of two, and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Shareef Masarwa

Volunteer coordinator, Bidayat early childhood center

Shareef is a volunteer coordinator at the Bidayat community early childhood center, and a consultant on developing community schools in Ramallah and the surrounding region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in informal education and community studies from Beit Berl College, and a master’s degree in the Islamic cultures of Spain, from the University of Alcala in Madrid. He also holds diplomas in organizational consulting, mediation, community media, group facilitation, and coaching; a senior teaching diploma from the Arab Teacher Training College in Haifa; and is a graduate of a course on attracting government funding to the Arab sector. Shareef is involved in a number of social activities in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, including environmental activities, a collaborative community project between Baqa al-Gharbiyye and the Menashe regional council, and more. He also initiated, and is the coordinator of an elderly community volunteering project. Shareef was recently put in charge of establishing and building the Al-Qasemi College graduate unit. He is married and a father of six, and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Dr. Awny Massarwah

Lecturer, Al-Qasemi College of Education

Awny is a lecturer at the Al-Qasemi College of Education. For 15 years he has volunteered as a preacher at a mosque in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, and for the last four years has taught in a course on mosque preaching for imams, also as a volunteer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies and Arabic from the Al-Qasemi College, a master’s degree in Islamic studies from the An-Najah National University in Nablus, a doctorate in Islam from the World Islamic University in Jordan, and a teaching diploma in Islamic studies and Arabic. He teaches a weekly study day for retirees on compromise and sustainability in Islam, and operates a community volunteering initiative in schools called “Giving,” which promotes awareness of the importance of volunteering and community action. Awny established the "A'ata" foundation, which offers scholarships for students who volunteer in the community. Married and a father of two, Awny was raised and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Fadi Mawassi

Director of youth department, Baqa al-Gharbiyye municipality

Fadi directs the youth department in the Baqa al-Gharbiyye municipality, and is a middle-school physical education teacher in the town. He directs Baqa’s first youth center, played a central role in its establishment, and also serves as facilitator for the town’s youth council. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Wingate Institute, is a graduate of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program for youth in Israel, and is a graduate of the training course for local authority heads of youth departments. Fadi developed a vision for the future development of youth activities and services in Baqa. He is married and a father of two, and was raised and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Razan Mawosi Mossarwi

Director of preschool education department, Baqa al-Gharbiyye municipality

Razan is the director of the preschool education department at the Baqa al-Gharbiyye municipality, and the former coordinator of the truancy and dropout prevention unit there. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle East geography and history from the University of Haifa, and a master’s degree, with teaching diploma, in geography from Tel-Aviv University. Razan is a doctoral student in the geography department at Tel-Aviv University. Together with program fellow Nadia Kittany, Razan initiated a city-wide forum dedicated to preschool education; the two are now turning their efforts to the establishment of a preschool center that will offer all the relevant services. She is married and a mother of three, and was raised and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Marwa Mgadly Badran

Professional development coordinator, Bidayat early childhood center

Marwa is the professional development coordinator, and responsible for budget oversight, at the Bidayat community early childhood center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, with a specialization in human resources, from the Netanya Academic College, and is a member of the parents’ association at her children’s school. Marwa works in partnership with another fellow, Almas Gnaiem, on “Amal” – a project for the promotion of women’s status and gender equality in Baqa. Married and a mother of two, she grew up in Baqa al-Gharbiyye and lives in Zemer.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Haneen Wasel Shalbi

Director, Baqa al-Gharbiyye Human Resource Center

Haneen is the director of the Baqa al-Gharbiyye Human Resource Center, where she also directs the business development activities, and facilitates women’s employment groups. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the Netanya Academic College, and a master’s degree in international relations from Tel-Aviv University. Haneen initiated "Nur" – a project offering free legal counsel for people in need, in the areas of family and labor laws. She is married and a mother of three, and was born and raised in Ar’ara, where she lives.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Marwa Watad

Teacher and coordinator, Al-Qasemi high school

Marwa is an electronics teacher and coordinator at the Al-Qasemi high school. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering from Tel-Aviv University, and a physics teaching diploma from the same institution. Marwa currently spearheads a technology education initiative for the introduction of adolescents to different subjects and areas of the hi-tech industry, so as to imbue them with passion for and interest in the relevant vocations. Marwa intends for this project to promote the pursuit of such vocations within the Arab-Israeli community and to increase this population’s contribution to Israel’s hi-tech industry. Marwa started a technological education program to introduce the city's youth to the world of high-tech. As part of the program, students work on the development of a product that will assist people with special needs. Marwa is a married and a mother of one. She grew up in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, where she lives today.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Majdy Watted

CEO, “Values for Excellence” center

Majdy is the owner and CEO of the “Values for Excellence” Center, and coordinates a young leadership program for the Abraham Fund. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Sund non-profit organization for orphans. Majdy holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and electronics from Ariel University and a teaching diploma in science from the Achva Academic College, and is also a qualified group facilitator and a leadership and excellence coach. Majdy works on developing a vision and strategies for the "Values for Excellence" Center. He is married and a father of two, was born in Jatt, and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Nura Yaakov-Abuhusien

Middle-school pedagogical counselor, Baqa and Umm el-Fahm

Nura is a middle-school pedagogical counselor, working in Baqa al-Gharbiyye and in the city of Umm el-Fahm. She holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching mathematics and science (excellence track) from the Al-Qasemi College of Education, and a master’s degree in counseling and human development (gifted students track) from the University of Haifa. In addition to her professional work, Nura is involved in a number of social activism enterprises in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, including projects for young adults, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and more. Nura started "Reroute" – an initiative that aims to establish a center for students with special needs that will operate within the school. She was raised and lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

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