About the Center

The Mandel Center for Leadership in the North aims to contribute to the development and prosperity of Israel’s Northern region by cultivating diverse leadership – women and men from all communities in the North – who have the passion and commitment to change reality and to lead initiatives that improve life for all communities of the region. The Center’s identity, mission and expertise are reflected in its program content, which includes the humanities (with an emphasis on history, philosophy and religion), leadership in diverse societies, familiarity with the North and social studies with a focus on social mobility. The Iron Swords war has shaken all of Israeli society, with Northern residents suffering significant losses, including the loss of homes and livelihoods. The scale and suddenness of these events came as an enormous shock to the region. In response, the Mandel Center for Leadership in the North is making a concerted effort to help rebuild the region, working to develop a cadre of leaders equipped to address its diverse and complex challenges.

Two women sitting at a table and smiling

Northern Israel is the most diverse region in the country, home to a wide array of religious, ethnic and cultural communities. Just over 50% of the population is Arab, comprising Muslims, Druze and Christians.

The entire Northern region lacks a central metropolitan hub that can provide essential services and employment opportunities to all its residents. As a result, small settlements and communities are left to face multi-faceted challenges on their own. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive infrastructural solutions, based on the correct identification of systemic barriers and the development of a regional vision that cuts across different communities and population groups.

Socioeconomic levels and the quality of services in Northern Israel are lower than in any other part of the country. The region faces persistent social, economic, religious and identity- based divisions. The Arab sector is the most disadvantaged, struggling with limited resources and opportunities and suffering from a heightened sense of physical insecurity due to years of rising crime and insufficient law enforcement. These factors erode Arab citizens' sense of belonging to Israeli society and the State and contribute to internal friction and tensions with Jewish neighbors.

The Mandel Center for Leadership in the North is founded on the belief that the region's social and cultural diversity is an asset and a source for comprehensive solutions. Despite significant difficulties, many Northern residents – in both advantaged and disadvantaged localities – share a strong willingness to work together to improve life in the region.

The Center specializes in developing social leadership by identifying potential leaders and enhancing their ability to operate in a diverse society – that is, to respond to the unique needs of each community while also considering the needs of the whole. This distinctive approach offers a model that can be applied throughout Israeli society

The Center identifies potential leaders—both women and men— from all communities and population groups in the North. Candidates hold senior positions across various professional fields in the public, nonprofit and business sectors and share a strong commitment to promoting a more tolerant and just society while improving the quality of life in the region.

Fellows standing together outside during an activity in nature — Impact in the Field
The Center, in collaboration with the Mandel Graduate Unit, fosters an active network of graduates dedicated to advancing the Northern region—both individually and through collaborative initiatives. Each year, the Center also offers new graduates the opportunity to participate in the Transitions program, which helps them connect the knowledge and skills they gained in the programs to their specific field of action.

About the Mandel Foundation–Israel

The Mandel Foundation–Israel aims to advance Israel as a Jewish and democratic state that is inclusive, just and pluralistic, by training visionary leaders in the fields of education, society and culture in Israel.