Our mission is that one day, the diverse residents of the Negev, young and old, will live celebrating their differences and working together toward a peaceful, and equal future together.  A New Dawn in the Negev is an Arab-Jewish community development organization based in Rahat, Israel where we promote education, employment, and leadership. We work together with other NGOs to promote unity, peace and understanding.

How do we promote our goals?

Educational activities: By partnering with local schools, A New Dawn assists both teachers and students in identifying educational disparity and developing creative solutions to address any issues found.

Cultural activities: In an effort to make Bedouin culture accessible to both a new generation of youth as well as to the outside world. A New Dawn documents and shares traditional cultural practices that, for generations, have represented the essence of Bedouin life.

International activities: We facilitating visits for outside groups to come see what life is like in the Negev. We also organize international youth exchanges where our youth can meet other children of the same age and vice versa. We seek to help young Bedouins develop important intercultural skills, which are required to be active contributing members of the global community.

At A New Dawn we feel the division between the Jewish and Bedouin communities of the Negev is mainly a result of disparity in these three areas: education, cultural understanding, and international exposure.  Strengthening educational systems in the Bedouin society helps prepare Bedouin youth to function as active and equal contributors in Israeli society. Promoting awareness and understanding of the Bedouin people’s rich cultural heritage allows Bedouin communities to take pride in their roots and discover how their traditions can contribute to the global community. Finally, actively connecting Bedouin and Jewish communities with intentional, meaningful activities allows new relationships to break through social barriers. Fostering the growth of trust and mutual respect among the residents of the Negev.