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.

Pedagogy
Index

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.

Pedagogy
Index
Leadership
commitment
diversity
belonging
partnership icon
Leadership
commitment
diversity
belonging
partnership icon

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Our Courses

Identity and Belonging in a Multicultural Society – Dr. Mirit Hayavi Barak

This course examines how identity and belonging are formed in a multicultural society, considering both the individual and groups and the relations among them.

The course moves from the individual to society: it begins by examining processes of self-construction through socialization and interaction, and then considers the formation of groups, social boundaries, conflicts, and intergroup encounters. It explores different approaches to managing cultural diversity and examines the tensions among personal identity, group identity, and social belonging.

The course then considers processes of recognition, inequality, and privilege as part of a broader web of intergroup relations, and concludes by examining the possibility of building a shared society – a society in which different groups live together through mutual recognition, participation, and cooperation.

Managing Conflict and Diversity in Israeli Society – Dr. Assaf Turgeman

The course surveys the principal cleavages in Israeli society by tracing their roots in Israeli social and political life. It addresses the Jewish – Arab conflict, the religious – secular divide, ethnic cleavages, and the constitutional revolution and its implications for contemporary political divisions.

Skills for Managing Diversity and Conflict across Life Domains – Dr. Ran Kuttner

This course develops skills for managing difference and conflicts arising from difference across multiple settings – from the interpersonal level, through the intergroup level, to the national level. Participants will acquire tools for collaborative dialogue, negotiation, and conflict management, while becoming familiar with the theories underlying the approaches studied. The course will also examine how these approaches can support constructive management of disputes surrounding social cleavages and polarization that undermine cohesion and resilience in different arenas in Israel. Accordingly, participants will acquire both conceptual frameworks and practical skills for action in the social sphere.

The course is reflective in character and, from its outset, invites students to examine how the material challenges their own assumptions and leadership practices, how they might wish to apply it in their personal lives, and what obstacles may stand in the way.

Practical Strategies for Engaging with Diversity in Israeli Society – Dr. David Barak-Gorodetsky

The course offers an in-depth examination of the political and social tensions between conservatives and liberals in Israel, while providing a practical toolkit for conducting dialogue in conditions of disagreement. The theoretical component explores the roots of polarization, focusing on the central role of religion and state, their influence on public policy, and the historical analysis of political strategies and case studies that have shaped Israeli society. This foundation supports the practical component, in which participants practice and acquire skills in deep listening, managing complex dialogue, and recognizing different perspectives. By combining academic analysis with experiential learning and simulations, the course develops the capacity for respectful and meaningful dialogue in situations of disagreement and provides practical tools for building trust and reducing tensions across identity-based, cultural, and political divides.