Introduction: How to use this resource
NIF-in-a-Box is a collection of program packages on issues relating to social justice in Israel. The packages are designed to enable anyone to host a gathering to explore issues such as minority rights, religious pluralism, women’s empowerment, and civil rights – and to introduce people to the New Israel Fund’s work. NIF-in-a-Box can be used at synagogues, educational institutions, on campus, or just at home with friends.
NIF-in-a-Box program packages are based on Against all Odds, an innovative TV talk-show series that aired in 2006 on Channel Two, Israel's most popular TV station. Initiated and co-produced by NIF, the series has 14 episodes each of which runs for 22-minutes and features an interview with a leading social activist from the NIF community.
Currently five NIF-in-a-box program packages on different topics are available. Each program package includes:
- A video of an episode of Against All Odds [videos are in Hebrew with English subtitles]
- Background information on the issue featured in the episode
- Related Discussion questions
NIF-in-a-Box also comes with, Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue, a video overview of the New Israel Fund [in English] -- as well as a Facilitators’ Packet to help you plan and run a successful program, and evaluation forms to help us incorporate users’ feedback.
Below, you can find links to view the videos online and to download the Facilitator’s Guide, the evaluation forms, and the written materials for the five program packages. Pre-printed program packages with DVDs are also available free of charge and can be requested by contacting us at NIFinabox@nif.org or 212-613-4400.
Finally, an NIF Public Outreach Kit is available to enable our supporters promote the New Israel Fund at community events such as Israel fairs, film festivals, etc. The Public Outreach Kit will include brochures and other hand-outs, sign-up sheets, and signage / posters. Once you have obtained the event organizers’ permission for NIF to participate, you can borrow the Public Outreach Kit by contacting us at NIFinabox@nif.org or 212-613-4400.
FACILITATOR’S PACKET AND NIF OVERVIEW
Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue
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This video provides an overview of the work of NIF and the general issues facing Israeli society. It is in English and has a running time of about 12 minutes. It is advisable to use some or all of the video for groups that include people who have never been to Israel or who are unfamiliar with Israeli society, and to give an introduction to NIF.
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Program packets
Migrant Workers
Download Background, NIF Connections, and Discussion Tools on Migrant Workers (PDF)
Download Related Articles on Migrant Workers (PDF)
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This episode of Against All Odds tells the story of Jena and Richard, children of migrant workers who were raised in Israel and yet were threatened with deportation from the only home they have known. They are being assisted by Shevy Korzen, Director of Hotline for Migrant Workers.
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Integration of Ethiopian Israelis
Download Background, NIF Connections, and Discussion Tools on Ethiopian Immigrants (PDF)
Download Related Articles on Ethiopian Immigrants (PDF)
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This episode of Against All Odds features Asher Elias, the son of Ethiopian Jewish immigrants, who gave up a promising career in high-tech to devote himself to empowering his community. He worked for seven years as an activist with NIF grantee the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews before establishing his own organization to train Ethiopian Israelis to work in high-tech.
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Human Rights
Download Background, NIF Connections, and Discussion Tools on Human Rights (PDF)
Download Related Articles on Human Rights (PDF)
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This episode of Against All Odds features Dafna Banai, an activist with NIF grantee Machsom Watch, a voluntary group of Israeli women who conduct observations at military checkpoints within the territories to monitor human rights abuses. The program tells the story of how this activism has transformed her view of the everyday reality of occupation.
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Racism and Israel's Arab Citizens
Download Background, NIF Connections, and Discussion Tools on Arab Citizens of Israel (PDF)
Download Related Articles on Arab Citizens of Israel (PDF)
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This episode of Against All Odds tells the story of Beni Bumaguin, a soccer coach who works with Jewish and Arab teenagers and is active in the struggle to combat racism on the sports field. Beni is a leading volunteer in NIF's New Voice in the Stadium campaign, which seeks to eradicate racism and violence in Israeli soccer.
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Women
Download Background, NIF Connections, and Discussion Tools on Combating Violence Against Women (PDF)
Download Related Articles on Combating Violence Against Women (PDF)
Please note: the two videos on women’s issues are meant to be used together, with one set of comparative discussion questions
If the length of your program does not allow for you to show both, you can improvise and adapt the discussion questions accordingly.
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This episode of Against All Odds features Chana Kehat, founder of NIF grantee Kolech: Religious Women's Forum,
which was established with funding and assistance from NIF and SHATIL. Kehat’s organization provides education for Orthodox women, roots out rabbis who have sexually harassed women, and offers support to their victims.
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Contact Us
Questions and comments: Please contact us at NIFinabox@nif.org or 212-613-4400.
Students: The program is being implemented on campuses in coordination with the Union of Progressive Zionists (www.upzshalom.org ).
If you're interested in using NIF-in-a-Box on a college campus, contact UPZ‘s Director at director@upzshalom.org.
