פרויקט ״אלף״ מציע קורסי שפה לבוגרי תכניות ישראליות-פלסטיניות טכנולוגיות המעוניינים ללמוד עברית או ערבית. הפרויקט פועל בשיתוף פעולה עם MEET (Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow), PIP (Palestinian Internship Program), ו-50:50 Startups ובתמיכת B8 of Hope.
The project was set up in 2013 as a response to the demand by women from Issawiya neighborhood, who faced a language barrier on a daily basis and were looking for a Hebrew learning program that would suit their pressing needs. These women have less access to Hebrew than men since they are less involved in the public sphere in West Jerusalem, where Hebrew is the spoken language. Most of the Hebrew courses offered in Jerusalem are very costly, do not fit the schedules of mothers or working women, and do not answer their needs in terms of content. In addition, many women feel uncomfortable participating in mixed-gender language courses, for both personal and religious reasons. All of these factors have made numerous women dependent upon others, exacerbating their lack of self-confidence. It is on these grounds that in March 2013 we launched the project “Women Speaking Hebrew” with one group of 20 women we taught on a voluntary basis. Today, about 600 women from all over East Jerusalem, aged 18 to 70+, take part in the project. They include mothers, social workers, school principals and secretaries, teachers, nurses, MDA volunteers, saleswomen, kindergarten teachers, university students and high school pupils. Since its establishment, the project has counted over 2,000 graduates and some 500 instructors.
For the duration of the academic year of 2020-2021, we have opened fifteen classes in collaboration with the Hebrew University, in the mornings and afternoons. Due to these unprecedented times, in order to enable women to continue learning Hebrew safely during the COVID-19 era, we have pivoted to a remote learning model. Each of the fifteen groups’ coordinators receive an annual scholarship and participate in a weekly enrichment program throughout the academic year. This combination of working and learning enhances the young coordinators’ ability to lead their study groups, become more involved in the social fabric of the city, and act as agents of change for the future.
Lissan piloted the Medabrot Ivrit Summer Program in 2019, after receiving feedback from our Medabrot Ivrit students that they needed more opportunities to practice and improve their Hebrew language skills over the summer to strengthen what they learned during the year. Our summer program features a series of interactive Hebrew sessions for dozens of students at the basic and intermediate levels. The program is focused on preserving Hebrew vocabulary and self-confidence by practicing everyday scenarios wherein participants are required to communicate and express themselves in Hebrew. Each session is divided into topics and features creative simulations and role-playing games in a uniquely designed environment. Topics include a visit to the doctor, ordering at a restaurant, job interviews, quarrels with a neighbor, a visit to the mall, and more.
In the summer of 2020, we conducted our summer program remotely. Despite the crisis of COVID-19, we pivoted our activities to allow dozens of students to practice and preserve the language skills that they acquired during the year. We placed an emphasis on practicing useful and practical Hebrew for everyday situations. Although we taught remotely, dozens of students joined our Zoom sessions and showed us how important it is for them to practice their Hebrew skills, especially during this challenging period.
During the academic year of 2020-2021, four groups are studying with the MATI center situated in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, in cooperation with the nonprofit organization MATI (Jerusalem Business Development Center). This branch of Medabrot Ivrit is intended for women participating in MATI’s entrepreneurship program and focuses on professional Hebrew. Lessons are designed to help women establish and operate their own independent businesses.
During the academic year of 2020-2021, two groups are studying with us in cooperation with the workers’ organization “MAAN”. This branch of Medabrot Ivrit is intended for women who participate in MAAN’s employment program and focuses on professional Hebrew. Lessons are designed to increase women’s participation in the workforce and to enhance their ability to fully exercise their rights in the workplace.
According to a research study conducted by the Jerusalem Municipality, 88% of East Jerusalemite women of working age are outside of the workforce, with lack of Hebrew knowledge reported as a main obstacle to finding employment. Moreover, recent years have exposed a pattern of exploitative employment of East Jerusalem women in matters regarding wages, social conditions, etc. The phenomenon is in part made possible by women’s weak position in the labour market. In light of these facts, in 2016, MAAN began dedicating some of its resources to support employed and unemployed women in fulfilling their rights, through a variety of initiatives. It is in this context that the organization approached Lissan to run their Hebrew classes, leading to the launching of our joint project in 2017.
A research conducted in 2015 shows that the participation rate of East Jerusalem women in the workforce is especially low, with an unemployment rate standing at 87%. Lack of Hebrew knowledge is one of the obstacles preventing their integration in the labour market. Moreover, recent years have exposed a pattern of exploitative employment of East Jerusalem women in matters regarding wages, social conditions, etc. The phenomenon is in part made possible by women’s weak position in the labour market. In view of these facts, MAAN began in 2016 to dedicate some of its resources to supporting employed and unemployed women in fulfilling their rights, through a variety of initiatives. It is in this context that the organization approached us, leading to the launching of our joint project in 2017.
