The continued development and prosperity of the State of Israel is dependent upon the full and genuine integration of Arab society in all aspects of life in Israel. We believe that high-quality education in an environment where daily interactions with other parts of Israeli society occur will enable our students to thrive as meaningful adults in their communities, feeling part of Israeli society.
The village provides its students, Bedouin Israeli citizens in the Negev desert, a comprehensive educational framework that fosters the realization of students potential, personal empowerment, and social engagement, all within a spirit of compassion alongside a shared civic responsibility for the future of all communities in the State of Israel, in the Negev particularly.
We prepare our students to become independent adults equipped with the appropriate tools to cope with life’s challenges in Israel and possess high personal and social awareness to formulate their positions and achieve their goals.
At Neve Midbar Nitzana, students begin their day at school with a diverse teaching staff of Arabs and Jews. After school, the boarding school counselors continues to accompany the youth in social activities, enrichment workshops, academic support, and more.
Neve Midbar Youth Village expands the future prospects of its students towards new directions such as academic studies and acquiring sought-after professions. The wide range of opportunities offered by a modern and thriving country are open to our graduates.
In the coming decades, our alumni will be part of local leadership encouraging the integration of Bedouins into society and economy of the Negev. Integration is not only the key to the personal future of our graduates but also to the future of the Negev and the State of Israel as a whole.
Muhamad, a graduate of class of 2020, has forged an inspiring path of success and service. His passion stood out during his time at Neve Midbar when at the age of 15 when he reached out to a cinema network requesting Arabic-subtitled movies. Unsatisfied with just that, he launched a massive campaign across the Bedouin community in the Negev, demonstrating to cinemas that catering to this interest could also be economically beneficial.
“After completing my studies, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the support I received and a deep desire to uplift others. This led me to become the first Bedouin to volunteer for a year of service at the “Halutz” program directly followed by choosing to enlist for national service working with at risk youth in Beer Sheva. I am now pursuing higher education, studying towards a degree in social work and dream of becoming a Juvenile defender, that is where I feel I can do the most good. “The Hebrew language and the familiarity with Israeli society that I gained in Neve Midbar are greatly assisting me in my studies at college.”
Muhamad’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and compassion, showcasing the profound impact we hope to have on our students.
For Amin Aasam, a graduate, the path he took is the foundation for everything he does today. For Amin, Nitzana was not just an academic institution, but a “school for life” that shaped his worldview.
“Nitzana is the place where I first learned what it really means to get to know someone different from me. It was there that I learned to build true partnerships, to love, and to accept everyone unconditionally. The bonds I formed here became a real family—friends from all over the country, from the south to the north, Jews and Arabs building a future together.”
After graduating from Nitzana, Amin went straight into a challenging Software Engineering program, where he stood out thanks to his natural curiosity and his desire to drive change. Today, Amin is a social-technological entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of the startup “Madateam.” His company operates at the heart of formal and informal education, aiming to integrate advanced technology into learning.
“I believe that education is the most powerful engine for social change. When we connect technology with values and people, we open doors that weren’t there before. At Nitzana, I understood that collaboration between cultures and communities is not only possible—it is the key to a better future for us all.”
