Reflections with Yaniv Sagee, Israel Representative to Givat Haviva in North America
April 27, 2010
Yaniv was born and lives on Kibbutz Ein Hashofet in Israel. He came to New York in September with his wife Galia, who is a theatre director, teacher, and educational counselor, and their three children. Givat Haviva Communications Coordinator, Julie Spiegel, sat down with Yaniv recently to talk with him about his impressions since his arrival.
Q: Why did you want to come to the U.S. to represent Givat Haviva?
A: I see Givat Haviva as part of me and me as part of Givat Haviva through my connection with Hashomer Hatair and Kibbutz Artzi. I have been connected to Givat Haviva since I was fifteen years old, and I strongly believe not only in what Givat Haviva does, but also in its relevance and importance for the future of Israel. And I felt that by coming here I could make an important contribution to Givat Haviva now and for its future.
Q: What are your first impressions of the Givat Haviva Educational Foundation since arriving seven months ago?
A: On the one hand, I found a very good and motivated staff that I feel very comfortable working with. Also, I was pleased to see that the financial situation is currently stable which enables the Givat Haviva Educational Foundation to assist in supporting the programs of Givat Haviva in Israel.
On the other hand, Givat Haviva Educational Foundation is viewed in the U.S. in terms of Givat Haviva's connection to Jewish-Arab projects and as a dialogue organization, which is only one part of what Givat Haviva does. And unfortunately, although Givat Haviva has sixty years experience with Jewish-Arab dialogue, this type of work is less valued these days. The other aspects of Givat Haviva are virtually unknown here; people need to know that Givat Haviva is an educational campus with six centers and has a substantial Peace Library.
So I find that there is still a gap between the variety of work that Givat Haviva does on the ground and the understanding of it in the U.S., and the will to be partnering with this work, and the importance of funding it. I see these issues as some of the main things I will be dealing with during my time in the U.S.
Q: What are your thoughts about Givat Haviva Educational Foundation and Givat Haviva in the near future?
A: First, there is a need to understand that Givat Haviva is at a crossroads in Israel. It is in a process of moving from an organization that deals with dialogue mostly with young people to being a major force that deals with the conflicts in Israel and moving towards a Shared Society for all citizens. The role of Givat Haviva would be to empower the agents of change.
Givat Haviva Educational Foundation recently initiated a strategic planning process for Givat Haviva in Israel. This will have an important effect on the Givat Haviva Education Foundation as well. Once Givat Haviva will move in this direction, the Givat Haviva Educational Foundation will find new avenues for partnerships, fundraising, and engaging people for Givat Haviva.