About Amal

       Overview

       Life-Wide Learning

       Objectives

       Projects

       A Warm Home for Amal Students

       International Relations – Friends of Amal Association

       Newsletter "ALL ABOUT AMAL"

Overview

The Amal educational network (est. 1928) is a leading player in the Israeli education system, with 120 educational institutions across the country, including high schools, junior high schools and colleges, with a total enrollment of over 40,000 students. A driving force in entrepreneurship, innovation, and excellence, Amal is at the forefront scientific and technological innovation. Each year tens of thousands of students in  all over the country –  enjoy equal opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to integrate into the employment world of tomorrow. Amal provides an educational-academic framework with an emphasis on technology, the sciences and the arts for all strata of the population from high-achieving young people of Israel’s elite to young people who are at risk. Our network is motivated by a vision of innovation and entrepreneurship, and we are constantly developing and experimenting with new tools, pedagogies and practices such as:

Project-Based Learning – PBL
This is a pedagogic program, which started at the Amal network this year. This involves project-based investigative learning in a high-tech-high spirit (HTH).
During this year, learning through Investigation was implemented in 8 schools  and this also led to a change in external examinations.
This learning process connects the multidisciplinary principles, that are relevant to real life, with issues that are meaningful for students and adults alike. The great benefit of the program is that, for the first time, the schools will operate synergistically as a single learning community, as a community carrying out a systemic experiment together, and no longer as “isolated islands” and detached episodes. The program has been approved by the Experiment Department of the Ministry of Education and is operated as a pre-experimental pilot at eight schools in the Amal Group around the country. This is the first time that change in the Israeli learning and pedagogy culture is being implemented based on joint thinking and mutual study in communities of principles, teachers and students. Moreover, the inclusion of the practices, experiences and ways of contending with difficulties, is carried out with a view to generating meaningful and ongoing systemic change, in contrast with the current situation which is based on the personality of one principle or another, or on a teacher who has a particular interest in the particular field.

Entrepreneurial Centers Initiative
Entrepreneurship Education, an innovative, unique and a groundbreaking model in Israel developed by the Amal Group at the initiative of its Director-General, Adv. Ravit Dom Eini, prepares youth for entrepreneurship in business and industry. The collaboration between education and industry is a growth engine for creative young entrepreneurial leadership in Israel.
As part of an innovative step which, in particular, aims to impart essential skills for the integration of youth in tomorrow’s world of industry, Amal emphasizes the topic of Innovative Thinking Skills and operates Entrepreneurial Centers, in order to train business and social leaders and thereby also contribute to Israel’s socioeconomic growth. The first innovation center was established at the Safed Multidisciplinary School and is operating, with great success, for 6 year. The center focuses on developing innovation, original thinking and creativity skills, and enables students to specialize in media and communications, high tech and computers, health and medicine, and recently – drowns and A.I. The aim is to help the students realize their abilities, to develop innovative thinking and to provide them with a personal example of leveraging ideas, by the country’s top high tech professionals. Following the success of the venture in Safed 7 additional innovation center began to operate which focuses on Cyber, I.O.T (internet of things) A.I. (artificial intelligence), New media, Design, Biomed App. Developing. In Hadera, the center focuses on application development and biomed. The Hadera center is the first in Israel to teach application development together with Apple and idigital, and biomed in collaboration with Hillel Yaffe Hospital and the biomedicine faculty of the Technion. Through its innovative Entrepreneurship Centers, the Amal Network is providing its students with the tools for a better future. The entrepreneurship program gives students the tools for future success and the ability to solve real questions and problems, that are taken from “the real world” – enabling them to integrate into a world of global employment.

Creating a better world
Amal trains youngsters to help create a better world, “Tikun Olam”, by developing products and applications for children and adults with special needs, and through joint studies with special education students – autistic youngsters and students with CP – something that is mutually beneficial.

Life-Wide Learning
We invite you to join us on an exciting journey to Learn Your Life. The journey begins with our online course on location- and community-based learning– “Life-Wide Learning.” Through our course, you would learn how to teach your students using the streets, houses, neighborhoods and people’s stories, all around them. Exploring the world around using Life-Wide Learning, you will discover the invisible history, knowledge, stories, and culture of their immediate surroundings, using a simple technology that everyone has on his own cellphone/tablet. This will immerse the learners in their community, city history, and even their own family history. As you can see, in a simple, yet effective six-steps model, your students will research the history of the community and make it accessible, free of charge, via cell phones to the community, giving back the invisible, once forgotten stories. By giving voice to things otherwise overlooked in the public space, you will have the chance to personally affect the community itself, and enable a bottom-up process; the students’ content filters up into the urban public space. By discovering their ability to influence and interact with the urban fabric, this type of learning not only fosters the students’ sense of belonging and pride to their school and city, but also pride in having been able to give back to the community. 12 schools pioneering activity

International Innovation Lab
The Amal Group began to run an International Innovation Lab in collaboration with Education Cities.This lab enables participating teachers, principals and staff members to learn, to plan and to implement innovative solutions to the challenges they face. In this way, a cohesive group of colleagues who enjoy searching and creating change, who are passionate about network learning, experimenting and international sharing, is created in the laboratory. The innovation lab also generates fascinating collaborations and mutual learning with similar groups from around the world: schools from Denmark, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, England, New Zealand, USA, Poland, Romania and other countries. In a rapidly changing world, the Amal Group is leading and breaking new ground.  It has become a symbol of the wonderful integration between the individual and the group, between personal development and work in the network group. The pioneering teachers from the schools participating in the lab are developing international initiatives and collaborations. They travel to colleagues' school to learn from  them, and host the teachers from those schools at Amal.A group of Amal's leading teachers met for an entire year at the Amal Entrepreneurship Center at the "Shevach Mofet" School in Tel Aviv, and under the guidance of an Education Cities team, raised ideas, did research, shared experiences, got inspiration, and finally launched two original self-study courses (MOOC = massive open online course) that exemplify Amal's uniqueness in two key areas: Educating for Entrepreneurship and Learning in Life Spaces.   Each course, which includes four videoed classes, brings a wealth of examples and means of illustration drawn from Amal's recent experiences. The courses were written in English and represented Israel at an international competition of 24 schools run by Edumission, at which international educational leaders such as Sir Ken Robinson, Sugata Mitra, Helena Singer and others served as judges. We presented this program at the BETT 2018 conference.

Learning and teaching via iPads
The Amal Pedagogic Administration and our Pedagogical  Technological Development Center (PTC), is having a significant corporation with APPLE company (via Idigital Israel) on learning and teaching via Ipads –  we are  running a unique innovative project for studying projects, by means of iPad appliances, in the technology streams of 10 schools.  Some of them on a 1 on 1 model whereby all the students and teachers receive iPads. The project examines two types of models – an individual learning environment and a school learning environment, with close collaboration with Ministry of Education inspectors in the areas of communications technology (new media), mechatronics, aviation systems and machine control, as well as with worldwide Apple and idigital, through their Israeli representatives. The design of the active mobile learning experience highlights collaboration, investigation and creativity, making the databases of the world’s educational applications accessible and utilizing the strength of the iPad as a means of multidisciplinary visual demonstration.
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The Amal network educates its students in humanitarian values, national values and scientific-technological excellence. The network has emphasized programs that encourage innovation and initiative, providing advanced tuition that integrates ICT, conferring life skills, and nurturing the student as a thinking and creative human being. Furthermore, the network undertakes a wide range of activities associated with multi-culturalism and accepting people from all walks of life and all backgrounds.
The Amal group has 128 educational institutions spread across the country, from Safed and Nahariya in the north to Dimona in the south. These included high schools, junior high schools and colleges in Jewish, Arab (Muslim and Christian), Bedouin and Druze sectors, with a total enrolment of close to 40 000 students.
Amal has 41 multi-disciplinary comprehensive high schools under the supervision of the MoE; these provide academic and scientific-technological education for all sectors. Students select the professional tracks on which they wish to concentrate, out of the 18 tracks in the technological stream, and the full range of theoretical subjects that exist in Israel.
On completing their studies, including a matriculation certificate, Amal students can pursue academic studies or studies in a technician or practical engineering program, or can enter their chosen profession in the army and the workplace. Amal has 14 colleges for technicians and practical engineers, which are linked to the multi-disciplinary schools. Furthermore, Amal operates 8 technological education centers, which are also under MoE supervision, in which students with lower achievement levels can undertake vocational training and study basic or core theoretical subjects.
Since 2009 ultra-orthodox students have also joined the network. The Amal network provides T-vet (Technological  vocational training) for the ultra-orthodox population by offering a two-year course for students from the 11th and 12th grades, primarily targeting young people at risk (around 700 boys and girls).
In addition, Amal has 22 technological schools spread across the country. This is the largest network that covers schools combining study and work. Around 4 200 students study at AMAL’s technological schools (out of about 13 500 students within the remit of Israel’s MoITL). Furthermore, the network has 16 colleges for adult students within the scope of the Amal Achievements adult education programs.

Amal 1 Educational Institutions

Ongoing Research and Development

Amal's ongoing research and development efforts focus on the In-service training for educators

following:
Publication of instructional materials

Objectives

The main objectives of the Amal Educational network are as follows:

  • To provide students with advanced comprehensive, scientific and technological education
  • To prepare our students to actively participate  in an ever-changing  society based on information technology
  • To improve academic and social achievement levels, and to increase students' preparedness for advanced, post-secondary studies
  • To provide skills necessary for life in a democratic and modern society, and to promote the values of tolerance and mutual respect
  • To further foster   students' identification with the State of Israel and its values, focusing on  the equal rights of all students
  • To encourage open communication between teachers, students and school administrators
  • To continuously strive for excellence on all levels – in all areas

Projects

The Amal Educational network operates a wide range of educational projects in a variety of areas as follows:

A Warm Homes for Amal Students

Advancement of Students with Learning Disabilities

Advancement of Social Coordinator as a Leader in the School Organization

Jewish Heritage Trip to Poland

Youth Wellness Project

Promotion of youth leadership in the Bedouin sector

Student Council Development

Physical Education

Technicians & Matriculation

"Merom" Technology

Paamey Atidim

English Access Micro-Scholarship Program

Star Debating

A Warm Home for Amal Students

This is a day program aimed at bridging social gaps and creating a warm, supplemental framework within the schools, which encourages disadvantaged students, who moght otherwise be at risk of dropping school

Advancement of Students with Learning Disabilities

This unique intervention program aims to improve the achievements of students with learning disabilities by creating a supportive learning environment and educational climate, by developing learner-specific  materials, and by providing the necessary support and effective teaching techniques and strategies for teachers in their efforts to advance theese students.

Advancement of the Social Coordinator as a Leader in the School Organization

This project works towards developing and implementing an annual program, which promotes the Social Coordinator as an agent of change in the school environment.

Jewish Heritage Trip to Poland

This organized trip allows 11th graders to explore Jewish heritage and gain a sense of the historic, cultural, and social significance of man's behaviour – to both Jews and mankind.  The purpose of this trip is multifold. One of the aims is to develop awareness to values, such as tolerance of differences between people and cultures and to raise awareness of the legacy of the Holocaust and its impact on the Jewish people. The trip also aims to further foster an appreciation of the cultural and spiritual wealth of the eastern European communities. Furthermore, it aims to teach the students about the struggle of the Jewish communities and encourage them to discuss the concept of "lambs led to slaughter".  The trip is part of their studies of the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel.

Youth Wellness Project

This is a unique national initiative to reduce the incidence of violence in the schools through improving the overall emotional and social well-being of students and teachers.  The initiative was developed by Dr. Yossi Harel of Bar Ilan University in collaboration with colleagues from the World Health Organization and the Well Being International (WBI) Institute.  It is a multi-year project that will gradually introduce and implement system-wide strategy in the schools. The strategy focuses on highlighting the positive in the school environment and in the personal experience of students and teachers.  The project is unique in that it provides practical tools for reducing violent and dangerous patterns of behaviour. It encompasses a wide spectrum of student life, both within and outside the school, and emphasizes volunteering in the community as an important  cornestone in empowering the induvidial

Promotion of Youth Leadership in the Bedouin Sector

In cooperation with the Givat Haviva Institute, 10th grade students from southern Bedouin communities in Israel participate in a youth leadership project where they are encouraged to take responsibility for community involvement and assume leadership in their communities. Developed by the Center for Jewish-Arab Peace at the Givat Haviva Institute, the project recognizes the individual and collective potential   to contribute to the future development of their communities.

Student Council Development

The Amal 1 network collaborates with members of the schools' student councils and provides them with the strategies and training that will enable them to fulfill their leadership roles in the school.

Physical Education

Ongoing efforts are made to expand physical education activities and increase participation in sports among Amal students, and encourage intramural sports teams and network wide tournaments

Technicians & Matriculation

An accelerated study program operated in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Manufacturers Association of Israel, and the IDF.  Participants take on an increased workload in the key academic subjects (Mathematics, Science, English, and Hebrew language arts), with the aim of completing the matriculation certificate by the end of the 11th grade, and earning a Technicians certificate by the end of the 12th grade.  These students can then continue their studies toward a practical engineer's certificate or pursue other academic studies.   At the same time, participating students train in factories, with the support and coordination of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, and constantly expand their knowledge and skills in their chosen specialization field.

"Marom" Technology

This specialized post secondary track is intended for students who complete high-level matriculation certificates and is aimed at increasing the number of students who complete practical engineering studies prior to their enlistment in the IDF.  These students are invited to pursue post-secondary technological studies toward a practical engineering certificate in electronics or mechanics at the Amal B Technological College in Petah Tikva or the Amal Engineering and Technology College in Beer Sheva.  The programs at both of these colleges are operated in  cooperation with the IDF.

Paamey Atidim

This specialized post-secondary track focuses on the study of engineering and is operated in cooperation with Sami Shimon School of Engineering at the Amal Engineering and Technology College in Beer Sheva.

English Access Micro-Scholarship Program

Aimed at increasing the number of Bedouin students who take the 4 and 5-point English matriculation examinations, the English Access program advances Bedouin students' achievements in English through a comprehensive enrichment program.  Improved English skills will also advance their potential for participating in the socio-economic development of the country and in U.S.educational and exchange programs.

 Since the program's implementation in 2005, an increased number of Bedouin students have successfully completed the English matriculation examination. The program is funded by the United States embassy and the U.S. state department

Star Debating

Developed by Amal's English department, Star is a unique project devised to bridge recognition and understanding by opening the lines of communication between Arab and Jewish teenagers in the hope of planting the seeds of mutual respect and tolerance. At the same time, STAR provides a tool for advancing the students' writing (presentation) skills, speaking (social interaction) and reading (access to written   information) skills in English as a In its first years of operation, 2005-2007, the program was funded by the United States Embassy. Since 2007, the program has.enjoyed the generous support for Dr. Predence Steiner

The Debating Project

A joint debating project for 10th and 11th grade students from  Jewish and Arab schools, aimed at fostering greater tolerance for the viewpoints of others, developing logical and critical thinking, and improving students' overall English skills, and their ability to communicate in spoken English in particular. The project includes a series of workshops and culminates in a final debate between students. The project is funded by the United States Embassy and is carried out in cooperation with the Isael Debating Society.

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International Relations – Friends of Amal Association

The main objective of Amal's International Relations Department and the Friends of Amal Association is to establish a solid infrastructure for raising funds and recruiting Friends, with the objective of finding additional channels of funding to develop the Network, while creating a wide public network of friends and supporters, both in israel and aboard.
Mr. Harry J. Bloomfield, QC, Canada, International President, the Association for the Advancement of Technological Scientific Scientific Education, Amal 1 plays a key role in this effort

The Amal 1 network also works closely with a number of leading organizations, such as THE ELDEE Foundation, Canada, which help to advance Amal, with the goal of acquiring the funds necessary to continue to advance educational projects for the Network's schools, including state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms and workshops, books and other study materials, and scholarships, as well as construction and renovation projects

For further information or to make a contribution to the Amal 1 network, contact:

The Amal 1 Network Center, 15 Kehilat Kiev Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: +972-3-6450865 (Hadassah Wortman-Jonas, Director, International Relations)

Fax: +972-3-6452958

Email: hadas@amalnet.k12.il

Association for the Advancement of Technological Scientific Education, the Amal 1 Network

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel: +972-3-6450865

Fax: +972-3-6452958

Canadian Friends of Amal

Karen Waxman

Email: k.waxman@sympatico.ca