Mandel Program for Senior Leadership in the Public Service in the North
The program strengthens the leadership capacities of public servants, deepens their commitment to public service, and fosters a social-state perspective that is responsible for all segments of Israeli society, particularly in the North.
Program FormatOne day a week
DurationOne academic year
Public services in the Northern region are provided by a network of local authorities, regional branches of government ministries and public bodies whose activities overlap and sometimes are even at odds with one another. Each of these bodies has its own working methods, organizational culture and structure and usually its own agenda.
Effectively addressing the many socioeconomic challenges facing the Northern region requires building a network of senior officials from these various agencies who share a common professional language, are familiar with a variety of ideologies and perspectives and are willing and able to cooperate for the benefit of the region’s diverse residents and communities.
The Mandel Program for Senior Leadership in the Public Service in the North is designed for senior officials in the civil service employed by local authorities, public service agencies and regional branches of government ministries in the North. Program fellows have proven professional experience and expertise, a desire to learn and collaborate and a strong motivation to work for the benefit of society in the North and throughout Israel, both within their current professional roles and beyond them.
Course of Studies
Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical projects, both individually and in groups, the program encourages inter-organizational cooperation, acts of leadership, personal entrepreneurship and group initiatives – within the public sector and in society at large.
Impact in the Field
Program graduates hold influential positions in the public sector and have established various pioneering initiatives. Examples include:
Information system for vulnerable populations: The director general of the Nahariya municipality, a program graduate, led the development of a support and response system for vulnerable populations in the city. When the war broke out, this system provided the municipality with detailed data on residents, enabling the creation of a sophisticated evacuation plan tailored to the different needs of diverse groups in the city. Although evacuation became unnecessary, this graduate’s work was essential for Nahariya's preparedness and effective response during the war.
Combating violence in Arab communities: A graduate serving as director of the Akko Region in the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs helped establish an initiative to combat rising violence in Arab communities. This partnership between local authorities, government ministries and residents promotes dialogue, strengthens resilience, empowers women and has led to the establishment of community mediation centers.
Support for evacuees: Another graduate, chair of the evacuation and absorption team in the Haifa and Northern District of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, established a response system for evacuees from the Northern border region during the war. This included creating safe spaces for evacuees, mapping their needs, providing tailored support at the individual, family, group and community levels and training a dedicated team for evacuation and absorption.
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.