About Masar مَسار

Masar

A leadership program that provides preparation for academic studies for high school graduates from Arab society, which seeks to develop a cadre of young leaders who embody social values, leadership skills, and a strong community consciousness.

The program was established in 2018 as a social start-up and presented a revolutionary idea in Arab society — a gap-year format that provides an educational and social framework for participants, as well as responses to their specific needs, assisting them in realizing their potential and equipping them with tools to lead change in their communities and in Arab society in general.

Masar works to develop young leadership in Arab society that is both connected to its roots and identity and recognizes its shared responsibility to build a better society.
Participants gain academic guidance
courses in Hebrew, preparation for the psychometric and Hebrew proficiency tests for entrance into academia
familiarity with Israel’s general society and particularly with its Arab society
an introduction into the job market
and relevant experience in the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.

How We Operate

In 2022, after four years of the Masar Leadership Institutes’ activity in the field, during which they gained significant experience, it was decided to expand the Masar program, both in terms of the duration of its training and of its availability in additional areas across the country.

Today, the program spans three years of activity and operates in two stages: A pre-academic gap year, and two years of guidance and mentoring during their academic studies.

The program is offered in five areas, especially in northern Israel and the Triangle: Araba, Arara, Majd al-Krum, Reineh, Tamra, and Umm al-Fahm, in three different tracks:

1. The Leadership Institute track, which focuses on three spheres: Leadership, social action, and academia. It seeks to expose participants to a comprehensive range of fields of study and Israeli society.

2. Masar to High-Tech, for participants aspiring to pursue high-tech and STEM studies. It draws upon Masar’s expertise in the areas of leadership, social action, and more, integrating relevant content in the technology and science fields.

3. Kimam, a collaboration with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Yad Hanadiv. Similar in content to the Leadership Institute track, this track is tailored to outstanding students.

Our Alumni

“Masar helped me to exit the bubble inside of which I lived. I became a self-confident and ambitious person, who believes in her abilities.”

Rahef Khshan

Masar Cohort 1, Wadi Ara Institute
“At Masar, I acquired a lot of knowledge and met new people who turned into my best friends. The program gave me volunteering opportunities in my community, enabled me to become active and proactive, and boosted my self-confidence.”

Shaden Khativ

Masar Cohort 1, Araba Institute
“For me, Masar was an irreplaceable opportunity. I learned new tools and skills and gained new awareness, both about myself and the academic world, and the ability to plan far ahead.”

Hiba Yunas

Masar Cohort 2, Wadi Ara Institute
“One of the best things I did in my life was to stop at the ‘Masar’ station. There, I gathered the strength to change, gained energies, and embarked on my way with substantial new thoughts, knowledge, and dreams to realize.”

Lanna Saabneh

Masar Cohort 1, Wadi Ara Institute
“The ‘Masar’ program contributed considerably to my personal development. It helped me discover my true self, to internalize principles and values that I believe in, and hold my own when necessary.”

Samma Halaila

Masar, Cohort 1, Araba Institute
“In Masar I learned that to reach my goal, I have to pave my own way. Each of the group members taught me something new about life.”

Mahmoud Musa

Masar Cohort 1, Araba Institute