Who are we?
Blend.Ar is an organization that advances meaningful and sustainable connections between Jews and Arabs through teaching Arabic and Arab culture. We are an Arabic school which operates nationwide, and also facilitates different projects which prompts familiarity between the two societies.
The Opportunity
Blend.Ar is an organization that advances meaningful and sustainable connections between Jews and Arabs through teaching Arabic and Arab culture. We are an Arabic school which operates nationwide, and also facilitates different projects which prompts familiarity between the two societies.
What do we do?
Blend.Ar uses language studies as a tool for achieving two main goals. The first is creating meaningful interactions between Jews and Arabs in Israel. The second is empowering young Arabs with no previous work experience, and helping them integrate successfully into the Israeli job market and society.
We identified the study of the Arabic language and Arab culture as the most effective tool for connection between Jews and Arabs, while enabling young Arabs proper job opportunities.
Target Population
We strongly believe that every Israeli, regardless of religious identity, sexual orientation, age or socio-economic level, can (and should) take part in our activity. From Arabs to Jews (from the entire political and religious spectrum), elderly to young, Tel Aviv or Tiberias - everyone can come together with a singular goal - to meet “the other.”
We aim to expand the representation of marginalized communities from the social periphery and promote social solidarity throughout Israeli society based on cross-cultural connections. We put an emphasis on collaborating with conservative sectors like Ultra-Orthodox, politically conservative people, and others.
Blend.Ar's Arabic school
Blend.Ar is an organization that advances meaningful and sustainable connections between Jews and Arabs through teaching Arabic and Arab culture. We are an Arabic school which operates nationwide, and also facilitates different projects which prompts familiarity between the two societies.
Bukra ("Tomorrow" in Arabic)
A leadership program for Arab youngsters.
Blend.Ar's model combines learning language and culture through practice with young native Arabic speakers with leadership skills.
The Bukra program trains young Arabs, 95% of whom are women, to be language practitioners and gain work experience. The program also gives them other important skills like writing a CV or using different software, therefore creating employment possibilities and a source of income.
For many, the training at Blend.Ar constitutes the first significant interaction with Jewish society, and a safe place to learn about it.
Volunteer workshops in Arab villages
We run volunteer workshops that include acquaintanceship with Arab society, for organizations and groups who wish to know more about Arabic language and culture. Participant organizations have included Jewish federations, NGOs, companies in Israel such as Keren Shemesh, JDC, and institutions such as education departments of the Jerusalem Municipality.
The Blend.Ar Community
At Blend.Ar we do not only teach Arabic, but make Arab culture accessible to the public and students. We run tours in Arab communities, and create digital content that provides essential information about the cultural knowledge about the Arab society. At Blend.Ar we believe that the best way to bring people together is to get to know the different communities in depth and to understand the diversity that makes up Arab society.
Our Partners and Supporters
Supporters
Many organizations understand the importance of our work and collaborate with us. Thanks to them, we can continue to do what we do best - create bridges between Arab and Jews, through teaching the Arabic language and culture!
Our partners contribute to Blend.Ar in various ways, enabling us to promote projects and spread the message of Arabic learning. We thank them for their trust and for partnering in our efforts!
Organizations which are already learning with us
Many organizations have joined our revolution in learning the Arabic language and culture. These organizations either learn with us or benefit from the lectures and workshops we offer. We are very pleased that they are part of our clients!