Bringing Communities Together
Was established in 2016 as a result of the generosity of Mr. Gerald Ronson and his family. The Center aims to consolidate the special relationship between the Druze community and the Jewish people. The Center acts as a cultural center where guests from Israel and around the world can visit to learn about the historical roots of this special relationship . This connection dates back to the period of Mosheh and was renewed in the early 20th century during the Yishuv period and the early years of the establishment of the State of Israel .The center also serves as a cultural center that empowers the Druze community on focuses on supporting women and army veterans.
The Ronson Family foundation is committed to making a demonstrable impact on people’s lives. The family supports a range of causes in particular projects enabling disadvantaged communities. It’s the result of a lifetime’s dedication to philanthropy from one of the UK’s foremost businessmen. Since its foundation in the 1960s the foundation has empowered thousands of people in the UK and Israel to build better lives for themselves and their communities. In appreciation of the special relationship that ties the Druze community , the Jewish people and the State of Israel the foundation has invested in two major projects that have had a significant impact on hundreds of youths in the town of Isifya on the Carmel. In appreciation of his support and generosity Mr. Ronson is known as the “Druze Ambassador” and in 2022 the Council Town of Isifya awarded him as ” an Honorary Citizen of the town”.
The Center’s management is comprised of respected Druze and Jewish personnel who believe in the Center’s vision and goals.
Since its foundation in 2017, Dr. Amir Khnifess has acted as the head of the Center and is responsible for running the projects within the Center and abroad. Dr. Khnifess has a Post-Doctorate degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington D.C , a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a PhD from the School of Oriental and African studies at the University of London .
Dr. Khnifess was introduced to the Ronson family during his studies at the LSE and while he worked at the Israeli Embassy in London .
The Center works towards consolidating the unique relationship between the Druze community, the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Every year dozens of groups, families from all over the country and from abroad visit the center to learn about the Druze community it’s religious principles, cultural characteristics and it’s current social and economic status. In addition they get the chance to hear about our relationship with the State of Israel and how our youth contribute to the Israeli State’s security and safety . The talks in Center are given by experts in the field , as we believe that such activities conserve , improve and transform this very special bond.
One of our major goals is empowering the Druze community which is still considered to be underprivileged as the majority live in the periphery a far distance from the State’s center. Indeed, despite the significant improvements within the Druze community it still lags behind in major areas such as the level of education, the infrastructure within their localities and their integration into the Israeli developed labor market. Since its establishment the Center has managed to run a number of projects that have achieved a significant influence on different segments of the Druze community. One of these projects “Youth for Peace” which targets the younger generation within the community and aims to increase understanding and tolerance within this group. An issue that became significantly important following a series of misbehaviour and violent attacks witnessed within the community in recent years.
Our goal is to continue the Center’s activity within the Druze community and its projects vis-à-vis the State and the Jewish majority, but we are also determined to increase the Center’s activity in the international arena. This issue became increasingly important following the rise in delegitimizing propaganda and the BDS activity against the State of Israel in recent years. We believe that the Centre can play a major role in public relations to increase understanding and support of the State of Israel and its people. Our intention is to achieve this through encouraging more delegations from leading international organizations to visit the Center. In addition, we would like to see more representatives from our Center participating in international events and conferences, giving talks about Israel and the status of its minorities.
