Awards
2022-2023
Hand in Hand Galilee Wins National Education Prize 2022-2023
The Hand in Hand Galilee School had a truly banner year, receiving the highest accolade of Israel’s education system: the National Education Prize from the Ministry of Education. This award was given to only 12 out of more than 2,000 schools nationwide, acknowledging the exceptional achievements of HIH Galilee’s staff and students. Led by Dr. Manar Hayadre, the school is known for its exceptional and hands-on pedagogical models, alongside the values-driven learning that infuses the educational activities all day long.
Hand in Hand Jerusalem Winner of World’s Best School Award
T4 Education, a global network of over 200,000 educators, has named Hand in Hand’s Max Rayne Jerusalem School as the top school in the world in the category of Overcoming Adversity. The prestigious prize celebrates educational institutions that make a significant and long-lasting impact on students, their community, and the wider society.
Best School in the North Award for the Hand in Hand Galilee School
The Ministry of Education named the Hand in Hand Galilee school the best elementary school in the north of Israel for its educational excellence and innovative pedagogy.
2021-2022
The Global Pluralism Award
In February 2022, Hand in Hand was selected as one of three winners of the Global Pluralism Award, bestowed by the Global Centre for Pluralism, in Canada. The winners were selected from among hundreds of candidates from more than 70 countries, by an independent, international jury chaired by the Rt. Honorable Joe Clark, former Prime Minister of Canada. The following text accompanied the award announcement: “The Global Pluralism Award recognizes pluralism in action. It celebrates the extraordinary achievements of organizations, individuals and governments who are tackling the challenge of living peacefully and productively with diversity.”
2020-2021
Distinction for Hope in Israeli Education for the Hand in Hand Galilee School
The President of Israel awards an annual certificate of distinction for Hope in Israeli Education to schools that are leaders in forging partnership between the different sectors of Israeli society. HIH’s Galilee School earned this distinction for its outstanding success in promoting true dialogue and partnership between Arabs and Jews, and in advancing social change through multicultural interactions, humanistic education, and partnership across populations.
Israeli Ministry of Education Certificate of Distinction
This distinction was awarded to two of our Jerusalem preshcool teachers, Aya Gamliel and Doaa Jaber, for their work promoting values-based education in Jerusalem.
2019-2020
Youth Writing Awards
Our high school student, Quds, came in first place out of over 100 submissions for her story titled “One Last Act of Bravery”
The National Olympics for Physics
Three 10th grade Hand in Hand students earned a spot in the competitive final round of this national online event, and ranked high in the competition.
2018-2019
Values-Based Education Award, Jaffa “Kulna” School
The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality honored our Jaffa School with the city’s Values-Based Education Award for outstanding achievement in bringing its ideals to life.
“Outstanding” Distinction for High School,Max Rayne Jerusalem School
The Jerusalem Municipality declared our high school to be among the top eight high schools in the city, noted for academic excellence, quality of pedagogy, and civil service.
2017-2018
Breakthrough Prize for Innovative Education, The Galilee School
Hand in Hand’s Galilee pedagogical coordinator Iris Giller-Klein was recognized for her groundbreaking efforts to innovate education in the Misgav region by the regional educational authority.
Breakthrough Prize for Innovative Education, Hand in Hand Jaffa
Hand in Hand Jaffa preschool teacher Marseil Hadad was awarded this accolade by Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, and was noted in particular for her dedication and caring approach in the classroom.
2nd Place, National Astrophysics Olympiad, Max Rayne Jerusalem School
Hand in Hand’s student team placed 2nd out of 250 delegations in this national competition. Their award-winning invention was a low-cost device that uses satellite technology to track refugees at sea, sending location information to rescue teams when the situation indicates that the migrants may be in danger. The judges expressed admiration for both the students’ scientific prowess and the laudable values expressed in their choice of project.
2016-2017
District Education Prize, Haifa, Bridge Over the Wadi School
Awarded for the school’s success in combining academic excellence with critical thinking and the promotion of tolerance and mutual respect. The district’s prize committee declared that the school “has a significant impact and is changing the direction of education in Israel.”
District Education Prize, Jerusalem, Max Rayne Jerusalem School
The prestigious Jerusalem Education Prize is awarded to schools that have a magnified impact on their students, families and the city around them. The prize committee declared that the school acts as “an example to all the residents of Jerusalem.”
Ministry of Education’s “Top High Schools in the Nation” List, Max Rayne Jerusalem School
The high school of Hand in Hand’s Jerusalem campus was included on the Ministry of Education’s list of the 71 best high schools in Israel. Hand in Hand was recognized as a countrywide leader in excellence in education, values, and social mission.
#1 Jerusalem Elementary School in Mathematics, Max Rayne Jerusalem School
Hand in Hand’s Jerusalem campus was awarded this distinction based on results from the National Generalized Testing Program, in which our elementary students received some of the best mathematics scores in Jerusalem.
2015-2016
Honorable Mention, Dror Prize for Social Change
Hand in Hand was one of 60 organizations nominated for this prestigious prize, and one of 7 who made it to the final stage. The prize committee noted: “Hand in Hand’s schools and kindergartens are not just educational frameworks. They are also communities of parents and activists that prove through their daily activities, during calm times and even more so in times of crisis, that shared living and a shared society are possible.”
Women Lead Change Award
Nadia Kinnani, Hand in Hand’s Jerusalem School Principal, was one of eight women recognized for “making major contributions to society” by former President Shimon Peres and Naomi Campbell in an International Women’s Day ceremony.
2013-2014
Matanel Prize for Education
Dr. Inas Deeb, Hand in Hand’s Director of Educational Programs, was awarded this honor by The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and the Matanel Foundation. Given for the first time in 2013, the prize honors an individual who successfully combines educational theory with practical experience in the field of education in Israel. Dr. Deeb was honored for advancing the field of integrated, bilingual education.
