About us
The Frieze Center for a Shared Society at the University of Haifa recognizes that diversity and disagreement are fundamental features of Israeli society.
The Frieze Center’s Position
Any effort to build a shared society in the State of Israel requires recognition of the political, cultural, and social agendas of the various groups that comprise Israeli society. This recognition forms the basis of our aspiration to develop knowledge, tools, and spaces for managing difference and disagreement. It is based on the understanding that thoughtful management of this multiplicity of identities and interests is a precondition for a society in which all its components feel that their needs—derived from their unique identities—are addressed, while at the same time developing a deep sense of responsibility and commitment toward the shared social sphere.
The Center connects academia, government bodies, and civil society organizations, and integrates research, education, and community engagement. Our aim is to generate sustained, mutually enriching collaborations between the knowledge, experience, and skills accumulated in the social field and academic analysis, reflection, and critique. These collaborations seek to deepen understanding of the reality of life in Israel, promote inclusive public policy, and translate both theoretical and applied knowledge into sustainable social change, including the training of the next generation of civic leaders.
Our
Approach
Our approach is based on the concept that a shared society is built through ongoing connections between different communities, between citizens and state institutions, and between personal identities and a multicultural social sphere. Our goal is to enable every individual to feel a sense of belonging to the shared sphere, without relinquishing their uniqueness and identity.
The uniqueness of the Center lies in its ability to operate simultaneously in three complementary spheres: in the inter-communal sphere, at the interface between citizens and the state, and at the level that brings together personal identity and broader social arrangements. This integrated action generates a deep understanding of social reality in Israel and enables the development of practical and sustainable tools for change.
We build a shared society not as an abstract idea or value-based image, but as an ongoing practice of action, learning, and change.
Our
Approach
Our approach is based on the concept that a shared society is built through ongoing connections between different communities, between citizens and state institutions, and between personal identities and a multicultural social sphere. Our goal is to enable every individual to feel a sense of belonging to the shared sphere, without relinquishing their uniqueness and identity.
The uniqueness of the Center lies in its ability to operate simultaneously in three complementary spheres: in the inter-communal sphere, at the interface between citizens and the state, and at the level that brings together personal identity and broader social arrangements. This integrated action generates a deep understanding of social reality in Israel and enables the development of practical and sustainable tools for change.
We build a shared society not as an abstract idea or value-based image, but as an ongoing practice of action, learning, and change.
