Diversity and Inclusion

At the Henrietta Szold Hadassah Hebrew University School of Nursing, we launched a unique and groundbreaking in-depth initiative to promote a tolerant and inclusive environment, led by Dr. Nurit Zussman in collaboration with the Diversity Unit at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, students from all years of study, tracks, and programs, and selected faculty members.

This initiative brings faculty members and students together in a shared process aimed at building a safe and supportive learning environment, even during times of war or heightened tension.

The process includes learning from real case studies from recent years, dialogue sessions with professional experts, and a joint working group dedicated to formulating agreements, guiding principles, and practical tools for managing conflict situations on campus.

As part of this collaborative work, a school-wide principles document will be developed, defining how freedom of expression can coexist with mutual responsibility for the learning experience on campus, and how to maintain a safe and respectful environment even during challenging times.

The document will establish guiding principles for respectful conduct during both routine periods and times of crisis, while providing participants with practical tools for conflict management, all while preserving their unique identities and their commitment to the nursing profession.

This is a complex yet essential process that seeks not only to talk about tolerance, but to actively create it in practice, and to prepare the next generation of nurses to work together with responsibility, sensitivity, and professionalism, even in the presence of disagreements.

Special thanks to Michal Kon-Orovano from the Mosaica Center, and to Mustafa Shla’ata for their professional guidance and partnership throughout the process.

Pride Month 2026 at the Hebrew University Campuses!

This year, we are marking Pride Month with active breaks, music, information booths from community organizations, and student art exhibitions. Save the dates at your campus:

 3.6 | Givat Ram Campus: A Pride-themed active break featuring a DJ and student art booths.

 10.6 | Rehovot Campus: A Pride Month active break.

 22.6 | Mount Scopus Campus: A Pride-themed active break with a DJ.

These events are an opportunity for us to celebrate diversity, embrace one another, and take another step toward creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Want to learn more about the history of the movement, view key dates in Israel and around the world, or gain tools for creating an inclusive classroom? The Diversity Unit has prepared a festive digital brochure full of content for you.

To download the full brochure and for more information here.

Do you have additional ideas or suggestions for engagement? Please feel free to contact us at: diversity_unit@savion.huji.ac.il

After a year of meetings, open dialogue, joint learning and significant connections, we met this week to mark the end of yet another special year in the Zavta Program.

During the year, the participants experienced content sessions, workshops, enrichment activities and a community space promoting open discourse on the encounter between the ultra-Orthodox and higher education worlds, as well as mutual support, a sense of belonging, and personal and academic growth. We thank the program staff and all the partners along the way for taking part in creating a meaningful and unifying community.

We wish you all continued success in your academic and personal path!

The Diversity Unit invites you to take part in the Diversity Day 2026 events

Throughout the month, a variety of fun and inspiring events will take place, including stand-up comedy, music, and special activities- offering an opportunity to take a break, get together, and celebrate the human and cultural richness of our community.

Please find an invitation attached.

Click here to register for the main event at Mount Scopus (May 24) 

Click here to register for the stand-up show in Rehovot 

The other events are open to the public and do not require registration.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Diversity and Inclusion Unit

Research students who are graduates of ultra-Orthodox education - PhD and graduate students in a research track - take part in a dedicated program led by Rabbi Dr. Aharon Eitan. The participants benefit from a supporting and enriching setting, financial assistance for their research, networking and a variety of lectures. In addition, the program includes a special writing retreat held under optimal conditions to enable significant progress in academic writing. 

Interested in joining next year? Registration for the 2026-2027 program will begin soon. We’ll be happy to see you with us. 

Today was the Change Agents Exposure Day which was designed to present, in a concise and clear fashion, the supportive systems and adaptations and multiple options offered by the university to students from diverse populations
Thank you partners for joining us, we hope this day has been meaningful to you

 

The day included several meaningful meetings:

Marketing Division - Michal Cohen, Head of the Marketing and Communications Division.

Academic Programs and Academic Advising- Orit Roderig, Academic Studies Advisor.

Dean of Students Office - Prof. Zohar Kampf, Dean of Students.

Preparatory Programs - Lital Turgeman, Director of the Pre-Academic Preparatory Program.

Diversity Unit - Sharon Ben-Arieh, Head of the Unit, and Noga Pato, Project Coordinator.

Student Panel - Diversity Ambassadors shared their experiences and personal stories from their studies.

 

The Unit for Diversity and Inclusion is pleased to launch a scholarship program intended for the following outstanding students from populations that are underrepresented in the Israeli Academy in general and the Hebrew University in particular. The scholarship is intended for PhD students who are from the following groups: First generation academics, from Ethiopia, from the Ultra-Orthodox community, formerly religious, from the Arab community, and students with disabilities.

This scholarship is intended for travel and participation in international conferences, workshops, courses and trainings abroad with the aim of promoting the academic career of the scholarship recipient.

All details

We are happy to announce the launch of the Program for Research Students from Diversity Populations, 2026. The program includes four groups, and combines separate meetings focused on group identity discourse with shared meetings for learning and academic enrichment.

The four groups are:
1. First in Research, for students who are first generation in higher education, led by Dr. Ofir Hadad
2. The program for ultra-Orthodox research students led by Dr. Aharon Eitan
3. The Goodman Program for students of Ethiopian origin led by Dr. Shula Mula and Galila Tekle Wubbe
4. The program for Arab research students led by Adv. Adan Ershied

Good luck to all our students!

The exhibition presents the visual experience of students who belong to the first generation in higher education through works by faculty members and students from the entire university community. The event began with statements by University President Prof. Tamir Sheafer and Vice President for Strategy and Diversity Prof. Mona Khoury and continued with a musical performance of the Multicultural Ensemble of the Unit for Social Engagement.
A big thank you to all participants!

You are all welcome to visit the exhibition and be impressed with the photos and the stories behind them - The offices of the Diversity Unit at the Mt. Scopus campus.

Some pictures that will convey the excitement and inspiration we have experienced at the event!
 

The course is designed to enable administrative staff at the university to acquire basic proficiency in spoken Arabic, gain a better understanding of Arabic-speaking students and colleagues, and develop effective and respectful day-to-day communication.

Through experiential and practical learning, conducted entirely in Arabic, participants will gain confidence in using the language and deepen their cultural understanding of the multilingual environment at the Hebrew University.

Target Audience:
Administrative staff members who wish to acquire basic proficiency in spoken Arabic, with an emphasis on practical daily use at work and in personal contexts.
Priority will be given to staff whose roles involve direct interaction with Arabic-speaking students and colleagues.

Prerequisites:
None. The course requires commitment and learning beyond class hours.

Course Scope:
70 hours.

What will you learn in the course?

• Development of basic communicative skills in spoken Arabic, with emphasis on daily use at work and in personal life
• Improved ability to understand various speakers and respond independently and with growing confidence
• Acquisition of basic reading and writing skills, including familiarity with the Arabic writing system
• Expanded linguistic and cultural knowledge needed for effective interpersonal communication with Arabic speakers
• Development of learning habits that will support continued independent study of the language after the course concludes

Course Cost:
500 NIS covered by the unit; the remaining cost is funded by the Diversity & Inclusion Unit.

Applications will be reviewed based on relevance to the applicant’s role and the recommendations of supervisors.

Registration Period:
9 November 2025 – 1 December 2025

Registration via the Human Resources Division website

The program aims to support outstanding students who demonstrate high motivation and are currently in the second stage of their Master’s degree (the research track) or in their third academic year at the Hebrew University. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to meet with members of the university community, develop their academic and research skills, and gain tools that may support their future path as excellent research students.

The program includes:
• Discussions on topics related to planning an academic career.
• Participation in conferences and the publication of academic work.
• Participation in joint workshops with various programs across the university.

Program details:
• 10 meetings held on Mount Scopus Campus (“Harman Library” and “Ramat Ram”) every Wednesday, 17:00–19:00.
• Participation grant: NIS 4,000 for graduates of the program’s requirements.
• Application submission: Please fill out the registration form at the registration link by 30.11.2025.

For further details, you may contact the program coordinator, Adan Ershied, Adan.ershied@mail.huji.ac.il

 

Exposure day for ultra-Orthodox high-school graduates about to be discharged from military service.
An inspiring day at The Hebrew University! The soldiers were exposed to the academic world, study programs and campus life through lectures, workshops and open dialogue.

We thank all our partners and participants for a meaningful and inspiring day.

The Qimam (peaks)- Gap Year Program has launched its Academic Division at the Hebrew University for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The Gap-Year Program is an academic preparatory program for high-school graduates from Arab communities from northern Israel. As part of the Academic Division, led by Tala Atieh, the program coordinator from the Diversity Unit at the Hebrew University, the students are introduced to the world of academia: they take part in an academic course, meet with faculty members, students, and alumni from various departments, and visit the university’s different campuses.

The “Hawiya - Identity” program is kicking off for the academic year 2025/2026

The program is designed to give space and voice to Arab students studying at the Hebrew University, under the guidance of Attorneys Nasreen Alyan and Sara Abu-Eid.
The program aims to enable participants to realize their potential and thrive within the academic environment, while remaining true to themselves, to their personal and collective identities, and to the values of their community and culture.

Wishing great success to all participants.

Dear Students,
You are invited to apply to the “First in Research” Program for the 2025/2026 academic year.

This dedicated program encourages long-term academic planning and provides familiarity with the skills required for successful integration into the world of academic research. The program is intended for highly motivated students who are first-generation university students (on both parents’ sides) and are pursuing a research-based Master’s degree or a PhD at the Hebrew University.

Participants in the program will benefit from training and inspiration sessions designed to support their academic and research potential as part of a supportive peer community. The program includes identity- and dialogue-based sessions, as well as exposure to and practice with essential academic skills, such as planning an academic career, presenting at conferences, understanding publication processes in academic journals, and meeting leading researchers who are themselves first-generation academics.
Participants will receive a personal scholarship of 4,000 NIS.

Link to the Call for Applications for “First in Research” 2025/2026

For further information, please contact the program director,
Dr. Ofir Hadad at: ofir.hadad@mail.huji.ac.il

A new class of the Public Emissaries Program is getting under way, led by Dr. Naomi Perl and Ms. Dina Alekperov. This is a unique leadership program designated for Jewish ultra-Orthodox students in all disciplines taught at the Hebrew University, seeking to take part in shaping Israeli society and promoting real change in the community and public space.

 

Wishing all students a year of learning, impact, and personal growth.

A First of its Kind Diversity Survey! 
In honor of Diversity Day, we invite you – students and members of the administrative and academic staff – to share your feelings, experiences, and needs related to cultural, social, and national diversity, and the relationships between different groups on campus.
This is a real opportunity to speak up, make an impact, and help shape a safer, more inclusive campus where everyone feels they belong.

This year, we marked the World Day for Cultural Diversity, celebrated on May 21, with an entire week of unique activities in the various campuses, together with our students and academic and administrative staff. On Mt. Scopus, a moving panel discussion was held with the coordinators of the programs for research students from diversity populations. In addition, we held a multicultural musical ensemble performance on behalf of the Social Engagement Unit. We also hosted Prof. Cory Shulman for a lecture on autism, and staged a play by Psik Theater focusing on the story of an employee on the autism spectrum.
Later that day, an inspiring session was held, bringing together poetry and academia – a discourse on identities and worldviews with poets of Ethiopian descent, Dr. Wovite Worku Mangesto and Dr. Danny Admasu, accompanied by singer Oshi Masala. 
In the Rehovot campus, we held the “Talking with Hands” workshops of the Nalaga’at Center, and at Assaf Harofeh-Shamir Hospital, we enjoyed an experimental dance workshops with an Arab-Jewish troupe and the Rabi’a Studio. 
 

A unique workshop for academic and administrative staff, focusing on working with the LGBTQ+ community at the university. The workshop was led by the Weizmann Institute.