Abdallah Khatib

Shah2Range

Resides in Jerusalem and studies dentistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a certified chess instructor by the Israel Chess Association. “I believe that the road to change starts with good education adapted to the population for equal opportunities and reducing gaps. About Delta: The Shah2Range project is an educational chess project for students from East Jerusalem, which aims to teach chess while providing tools for personal and social empowerment, and an equal opportunity to realize the students’ potential. I was introduced to chess when I was in the fourth grade, and every day since then I see its impact on my personal, academic, and even social life. In 2016, I decided to give back to community and to other students from East Jerusalem, and so I began teaching chess voluntarily in small elementary school groups. I honed the idea and developed with it every year, always thinking how to expand it to other target audiences. Today, I have a team of instructors working with 12 groups in the eastern part of the city, and the goal is to continue until we reach all the schools and provide them with the value-supporting environment that empowers them to realize their potential. My favorite motivational quote is Talent is universal, even if opportunity is not.”

Lihi Korinne

Where’s Defi?

An alumna of the Cadets for Local Government at the Technion, placed in the Lod municipality. The project raises awareness about defibrillators and provides training in operating them, in response to the fact that untreated heart attacks rank as the second leading cause of death in Israel. Where’s Defi social defibrillator mapping (defi.co.il).

Nitai Sweid and Hananel Stiskin

“Tipulei Harama”

Nitai, 24, a law, economics, and philosophy student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a political and LGBTQ+ community activist. Hananel, 25, a social work student at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, works in the field of mental health and is a gay social activist. “Tipulei Harama” is a social events platform for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Jerusalem, which seeks to unite the city’s diverse individuals, creating a strong and vibrant community that embraces a life of pride and fulfillment. Our activity is founded on the belief that as a physical space and a municipality, Jerusalem today hinders the development of a cohesive LGBTQ+ community. And without a united community advocating for change, progress remains elusive. Our vision is to establish a proud, thriving, and visible LGBTQ+ community in Jerusalem, which, by its very presence, will catalyze transformation in the city’s attitudes and treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Sara Tarif Ammer

Druze Girls STEM Challenge

The founder of the Druze Girls STEM Challenge is a graduate of the Technion’s electrical engineering program and an alumna of Kav Hazinuk. The initiative encourages Druze girls to choose science and engineering studies and the program includes sessions of exposure to science and engineering topics, practical workshops in programming, and a meeting with female role models. My vision is that young women from Druze society will lead in these professions and integrate into key positions at the forefront of technology in Israel. The project, operating within schools in an online format, includes six sessions in high school and middle school for eight and ninth grade students, and is already operating in a school in Julis.

Stephanie Smith

Bishvil Hanefesh

A biology graduate from Ben-Gurion University, an alumna of the BR Ambassadors, and co-founder of Bishvil Hanefesh (“for the soul”) project. The project was created as a social solution for students who encounter mental difficulties during their studies but tend to avoid discussing them or seeking assistance. During my second year in the BR Ambassadors program, a beloved member of our group took his own life. That same year, the group organized a mental health awareness week, the first of its kind in any academic institution in Israel. That led three of us to establish the Bishvil Hanefesh initiative. Our vision is to create a model that would facilitate an open and common discourse around mental health in every academic institution in the country. By normalizing the discussion of mental health and everyday struggles, while minimizing the feelings of alienation, shame, and guilt among students experiencing the difficulties, we can generate a safe environment in which everyone can get comfortable to talk about personal hardships, take an interest in others, and seek help when needed.

Tomer Levy

Sign Now

An alumnus of the BR Ambassadors’ Cohort 6, originally from Shoham and currently residing in Beer Sheva. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education, politics, and government and is studying for an MBA. Developed the Sign Now initiative to advance recognition of sign languages as formal languages for tens of millions of deaf people and individuals with hearing impairments around the world. The vision: Creating a global regulation of sign languages using an innovative computer algorithm.