Graduates

Mandel Program for Local Leadership in Kafr-Qara

NOVEMBER 2012 – JULY 2014

Haseeb Abo El Habayeb

Comptroller, Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education

Haseeb is the wages and budget comptroller for the Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education in Baqa al-Gharbiyye. He holds a diploma in tax consulting and budget oversight from the College of Management Academic Studies, and is a graduate of the Israeli Center for Management’s executive program in non-profit management. Haseeb lives in Ar’ara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Lila Abu Arkaya

High school teacher, Kafr Qara

Lila is a high-school teacher in Kafr Qara, and a community activist in Kfar Mesar involved in promoting informal education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and history from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, a master’s degree in education for marginalized students from Oranim Academic College, a diploma in educational counseling from Beit Berl College, and a diploma in kinesiology from the Karkur College of Holistic Medicine. A native of Kafr Qara, she lives in Kafr Misr.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Amira Azab

Kafr Qara education director, HILA program

Amira is the Kafr Qara education director of the HILA program, which helps youth who have dropped out of formal education to complete their studies, and a mentor in a social leadership program at Tel Aviv University. She is also tutors at the Branco Weiss Institute for the Development of Thinking. Amira holds a bachelor’s degree in English teaching from Beit Berl College, and is studying for a master’s degree in education administration, policy, and leadership from the Open University. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Wisal Ganaiem

Director of counseling department, “Leaders in Science and Technology” organization

Wisal is the director of the counseling department of the “Leaders in Science and Technology” nonprofit, which promotes young scientists in Arab society in Israel. Her work involves responsibility for a number of projects, such as a leadership program for 13-14 year olds, and a leadership and social engagement program for students. She is also an educational counselor for middle schools in Kafr Qara. Wisal holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from the Arab Academic College of Education, and a master’s degree in educational counseling from the Kaye Academic College of Education. She lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Rani Haikal

Coordinator of young leadership and volunteering programs, Kafr Qara community center

Rani is a Land of Israel studies schoolteacher in Kafr Qara, and also coordinates young leadership and volunteering programs at the town’s community center. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a teaching diploma in informal education and general history from Beit Berl College. He lives in Kafr Qara. *This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Majed Igbaria

Rehabilitative social worker,Umm al-Fahm municipal welfare division

Majed is a rehabilitative social worker for the Umm al-Fahm municipal welfare division, and an instructor at the Ashkelon Academic College and at the University of Haifa. He is responsible for ensuring the accessibility of welfare services and for services to people with disabilities. He also volunteers for a non-profit organization promoting women’s interests in Umm al-Fahm, and at a nonprofit that promotes arts in the city. Majed holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Haifa. He lives in Musmus.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Rabab Kabaha

English teacher and social activist

Rabab is an English teacher at the Katzir school, an English tutor at the Open University, and an instructor in English education for the Ministry of Education. A social activist, she is involved in leadership programs and in women’s empowerment programs, and also in a range of social initiatives in Barta’a and the Triangle area, such as setting up a women’s forum and a non-profit promoting the three main towns of the Triangle. Rabab holds a bachelor’s degree in English teaching and a teaching diploma from Beit Berl College, and a master’s degree in English teaching from Tel Aviv University, and is also a graduate of the Oranim Academic College's program in remedial English teaching for students with learning disabilities. She lives in Barta’a.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Shorook Mahamid

Director, Kafr Qara “City Without Violence” project

Shorook has served as the legal advisor to the Kafr Qara local council since 2008. She directs the “City Without Violence” project in Kafr Qara, serves as the local liaison for the Israel Anti-Drug Authority, and is a member of a holistic team responsible for the Kafr Qara municipal plans for welfare, education, and quality of life. She is involved in a large number of projects, including summer camps for youth, founding a parents-and-children center and a preschool center, women’s emergency teams, setting up the town’s residents’ hotline, and creating a network of cameras providing coverage of the town. Shorook holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, and a diploma in teaching high school civics from the Oranim Academic College, and is now studying for a master’s degree in organizational consulting and development at the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Omaima Masalha

Group facilitator, School for Peace

Omaima is a group facilitator on the topic of conflict at the School for Peace, and a political activist on behalf of the Balad party, serving as the volunteer coordinator of the women’s faction. She is a home room teacher and special needs mainstreaming teacher at the Jisr a-Zarka high school, and is involved in a special education project at the school. Omaima holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from the David Yellin Academic College of Education, and a master’s degree in conflict management and resolution from Bar-Ilan University. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Etidal Masarwyd

Community social worker, Kafr Qara “Cities Without Violence” project

Etidal is a consultant on women’s advancement and a community social worker for the “Cities Without Violence” project at Kafr Qara local council. Among other duties, she is responsible for coordinating the town’s Women’s Council activities, from planning through to implementation. She is involved in other social and educational projects, and serves as an advisor to the “Warm Corner” project for post-natal mothers. Etidal holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree in organizational consulting and development from the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Thaeer Massalha

Director, “The Art of Rehabilitation”

Thaeer is the owner and director of “The Art of Rehabilitation,” a company specializing in supportive employment for people with mental health disabilities, in finding employment and income solutions, improving communication skills, and increasing awareness of the issue in the community and among the participants themselves. He is involved in social initiatives in different fields, including women’s empowerment and women’s rights, coping with illness and disability, and more. Thaeer holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Haifa, and is studying for a master’s degree in community mental health work from the same institution. He lives in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Soher Odeh Baderny

Special needs coordinator, Akko “Wings of Krembo”

Soher is a special needs coordinator in Akko for “Wings of Krembo”, a youth movement for children with disabilities. Previously she was Arab sector director for the “Ruach Tova” volunteering nonprofit. She is an activist engaged in social issues and the treatment of animals, and is involved in a project working to raise awareness and reduce violence against animals, and for animal adoption. Soher holds a bachelor’s degree from the Open University in social sciences, with a specialization in learning disabilities, and a diploma in complementary medicine from the College of Management Academic Studies’ school of complementary medicine. She is also studying animal-assisted therapy at the Magid Institute for Continuing Education. She lives in Haifa.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Murad Saabni

Director, Saabni Energy Ltd.

Murad is the owner and director of Saabni Energy Ltd., a company specializing in gas station management. He is also the comptroller of Disol Energy Ltd. Murad holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from Tel Aviv University, and a master’s degree in business administration from the College of Management Academic Studies. He lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Sondos Saif

Regional supervisor of elementary educational institutions, Ministry of Education

Sondos is the Ministry of Education regional supervisor of elementary educational institutions, and the director of the Kafr Qara Preschool Center. She is a lecturer on preschool education, and a pedagogic instructor at College of Sakhnin for Teacher Education. Sondos holds a bachelor’s degree in education and special education from the David Yellin Academic College of Education, and a master’s degree in preschool education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is currently completing her PhD on preschool education at the University of Moldova. She lives in Ar’ara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Wagih Sidawi

Director, Mor Institute for treatment of women's trauma

Wagih is the director of the Mor Institute which opened recently in ‘Ara, the first center in the region treating women’s trauma. He holds diplomas in community organizing from the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, in culture and arts institution management from Lahav Executive Education at Tel Aviv University, and in facilitation of parenting groups from Oranim Academic College. He is a founder of social projects, and an activist for empowering Arab society in different fields. Wagih is a member of the Ar’ara local council, serving on the naming committee and the popular committee, and is also a member of the forum for Jewish and Arab nonprofits in Givat Haviva. A native of Ar’ara, he now lives in ‘Ara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Khawla Yahia

Implementation director, Kafr Qara “360 Degrees” program

Khawla has worked for the Kafr Qara municipal welfare division, and from 2005 until 2013 was the educational coordinator for the Farah Shalaby hostel for people with cognitive disabilities. Since 2013 she has directed the implementation in Kafr Qara of the “360 Degrees” national program for children and youth at risk. Khawla holds a bachelor’s degree in education, sociology, and society, another bachelor’s degree in social work, and a master’s degree in sociology, all from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Ahlam Yahya

Educational counselor, Al-Nahada high school

Ahlam is an educational counselor at the Al-Nahada high school in Kafr Qara. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a diploma in English teaching, and a master’s degree in educational counseling, all from Beit Berl College. Ahlam lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Suha Zahalqa

Triangle area regional instructor, Ministry of Education

Suha is a regional instructor for the Ministry of Education in the Triangle area. She began as a school teacher, and led technological projects that transformed her school into an advanced, computerized learning environment. She was active in the Doctors for Human Rights NGO, where she ran the Occupied Territories department. She was also involved in a project supporting students and academics in Kafr Qara. Suha holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Middle East history from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a teaching diploma from Beit Berl College. She is currently studying organizational consulting and facilitation at the Adler Institute in Kfar Saba. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

Maha Zahalqa Massalha

Director of culture and road safety departments, Kafr Qara local council

Maha directs the departments of culture and of road safety at the Kafr Qara local council. She initiates projects that promote and develop culture in the town, and raises funds from various government ministries to support cultural activities for all the town’s population groups. She also hosts cultural events in Kafr Qara and the region in a voluntary capacity. Maha holds a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in sociology, anthropology, and education from the University of Haifa, and a teaching diploma in social science from the same institution. She lives in Kafr Qara.*This biography was last updated at the start of the program

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