Homeward | Education, Resilience & Impact Report

A Letter from Leadership

Rebuilding Hope, Securing the Future: A Year of Resilience and Impact in Israel’s Frontline Communities

Dear Friends and Partners,

What does it truly mean for a family to come home?

For families in Israel’s Western Negev and Galilee, returning home means far more than rebuilding houses, reopening schools, or restoring daily routines. It means reclaiming a sense of safety, belonging, and hope. Above all, it means believing that their children can grow, learn, and build bright futures in the communities they call home.

This is the promise at the heart of Homeward/Habaita. And because of you, that promise is becoming a reality.

Together, we are doing more than rebuilding communities. We are helping ensure that Israel’s frontiers remain places where families belong, children flourish, and future generations will proudly call home.

With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation,

Sigal Moran

CEO

Izhar Armony

Chairperson

Dear Friends and Partners,

What does it truly mean for a family to come home?

For families in Israel’s Western Negev and Galilee, returning home means far more than rebuilding houses, reopening schools, or restoring daily routines. It means reclaiming a sense of safety, belonging, and hope. Above all, it means believing that their children can grow, learn, and build bright futures in the communities they call home.

This is the promise at the heart of Homeward/Habaita. And because of you, that promise is becoming a reality.

Together, we are doing more than rebuilding communities. We are helping ensure that Israel’s frontiers remain places where families belong, children flourish, and future generations will proudly call home.

With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation,

Sigal Moran

CEO

Izhar Armony

Chairperson

Habaita in Numbers

Our Reach Since Launch

Children Reached

WESTERN NEGEV • EASTERN GALILEE • WESTERN GALILEE

Educators Recruited

STRENGTHENING LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Moshavim

with new social and community education frameworks close to home

Educational & Regional Programs

Supported to Date

Grassroots Educational Initiatives

Municipalities & Partners

Working together across the Western Negev and the Galilee

Insights from the Field

Education Helps Families Choose to Stay

In Habaita’s surveys, families ranked education and economic opportunities jointly second to a sense of security as factors in their decisions about where to live.

Proof point: Summer of “Tkuma”Awareness of the summer program had a positive impact on the willingness to return to their communities, staying long term, and on demographic growth

Intent on returning to the community

Aware

Unaware

Intent on staying in the region long-term

Aware

Unaware

Impact on attracting new families to the region

Aware

Unaware

Sapio research, October 2024 · Aware (N=44) · Unaware (N=81)

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MADE POSSIBLE

‘THE WHOLE SPACE’ IN KIRYAT SHMONA

For a child returning to Kiryat Shmona after months of displacement, school can offer a sense of stability and belonging. Habaita brought the community center, funding partners and school networks together around a shared plan for the whole child. The Whole Space model, developed by the AMIT network, connects classroom learning with afternoon activities, regional excellence hubs, and support systems across the wider community. By focusing on individual strengths, educators guide every student along diverse pathways to success – empowering them to explore their interests, gain skills, and rebuild confidence.

Personalized Excellence Pathways

Hands-on clinical training alongside specialists at Sheba and Ziv Hospitals.
Youth-led initiatives focused on community safety and mutual responsibility.
Experiential learning spanning food-tech (“Seed to Plate”) and applied engineering.
Bouldering instructor certification, youth orchestras, and community showcases.

Model Framework & Reach

6 pilot schools in 2025-26, with expansion to 11 planned for 2026–27.
Seamless integration between school and afternoon activities.
Evaluation from baseline through follow-up.

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MADE POSSIBLE

The Bit-Maker Regional Technology Center

For young people in the Galilee, the Bit-Maker Hub turns high-tech and innovation into an everyday reality. Through hands-on projects and direct mentorship from Elbit Systems engineers, students unlock their potential, build prototypes, and discover meaningful pathways to study, work, and build their futures in the North. By bringing together local authorities, the Ministry of Education, Tel-Hai University, industry, and philanthropy, Habaita helps ensure that every child can dream big – right close to home.

Core Program Highlights

Students explore digital design, robotics, and rapid prototyping through practical challenges.
Professional guidance throughout the learning process.
Partnerships with Tel-Hai University and Elbit Systems bridge classroom STEM learning with academic opportunities and real-world high-tech careers in the North.

REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM

Serving youth across Kiryat Shmona, Galil Elion, Mevo'ot Hermon, and Metula.
A center for hands-on learning at Elbit Systems’ Tel-Hai site.
Providing a permanent, fully-equipped space that connects schools and youth throughout the region.

Asaf Langleben, Mayor of the Upper Galilee Regional Council

Regional Leaders Working Together

The Regional Leadership Incubator (HaHamama), developed with Maoz, brings together education, community, and local government leaders in the Western Negev and Eastern Galilee. Participants build a shared language, use data to identify regional needs, and develop joint initiatives across municipal boundaries. Looking ahead, the program will focus on strengthening this leadership network, providing ongoing guidance to bring these joint initiatives to life. Habaita connects this leadership work with its wider education partnerships, helping turn regional plans into practical opportunities for children and families.

Core Program Highlights

Leaders use shared data and practical tools to identify priorities and develop long-term plans.
Developing joint initiatives, shared learning pathways, and regional centers across local government boundaries.
In November 2026, participants will travel to Boston for a study mission focused on learning, inspiration, and connecting with local community members.

Participation and Reported Outcomes:

Representatives of local government, education, and community organizations in the Western Negev and Eastern Galilee.
Respondents in the Eastern Galilee (100%) and the Western Negev (95%) reported new partnerships across sectors.
Respondents reporting a broader regional outlook on education.

Excellence Lead, Eastern Galilee Cluster

CONTINUOUS CARE & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

KEEPING CHILDREN SUPPORTED DURING EMERGENCIES

During periods of conflict and displacement, Habaita worked with local community centers and other partners to keep children and young people connected to supportive adults and to one another. Teams adapted activities to shelters and temporary locations, offering cooking, music, creative workshops, and emotional support. These activities gave children moments of relief and helped sustain a sense of belonging when daily routines were disrupted.

Beyond immediate emergency response, Habaita also ensured academic resilience and continuity. Gav LaTzafon, developed in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel and supported by CJP and KKL, took high school students away from conflict zones into focused, intensive learning environments to secure their matriculation exams (Bagrut) and future success.

Program Highlights

Approximately 750 students took part in nine groups on multi-day retreats, with time for rest, emotional support, and study.
Emotional support, time with peers, and focused study helped students prepare for Israel’s high school matriculation exams.

Student Voices

94% Of survey respondents reported feeling safe, heard, and supported by staff.
88% Of survey respondents reported being able to take a break from wartime stress.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, NORTHERN BORDER REGION

How the Work Was Funded

Funding Sources and Investment Allocation

Sources & UsagesFiscal year ended June 30th, 2026 · All amounts in NIS millions

Sources

Philanthropy: 39.5
Government: 39.5
Armony Family for G&A: 6

Usages

Western Negev: 23
Western Galilee: 8.8
Eastern Galilee: 30.2
Summer & Emergency Response: 17
G&A: 6

Total85

Allocation of Program InvestmentExcluding Summer & Emergency Response Programs & G&A

Five-Year Funding PlanIn NIS millions

G&AHabaitaGovernment

* 2024-25

Pilot & Incubate

G&A: 4
Habaita: 30
Government: 30

** 2025-26

G&A: 6
Habaita: 39.5
Government: 39.5

*** 2026-27

Scale & Connect

G&A: 7
Habaita: 33
Government: 33

*** 2027-28

G&A: 5
Habaita: 35
Government: 35

*** 2028-29

Transition & Exit

G&A: 5
Habaita: 17.5
Government: 52.5

* Includes the 2024 Negev summer initiative (one-time allocation, not recurring in future budget cycles).
** Includes the 2025 Galilee summer initiative and targeted emergency response programs (one-time allocations, not recurring in future budget cycles).
*** Governmental and municipal allocations for FY 2026–2027 onward are estimates, reflecting a projected shift from philanthropic support toward sustained public funding by 2028–2029.
**** All General & Administrative (G&A) expenses are fully funded by the Armony family.

Looking Forward

BUILDING THE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN & COMMUNITIES

In the coming year, we will deepen the Whole Space of Excellence – connecting classroom learning, non-formal education, and opportunities for choice around every child. Together with local municipalities, educators, and funding partners, we will strengthen the infrastructure, skills, and coordination needed to sustain these programs over time. By expanding access to regional excellence, we are shaping a bright future for every child – and building the foundations that inspire families to return, stay, and choose these regions as home.

With Gratitude

Partnering for Our Children’s Future

Thank you for helping children build a future close to home.

Your partnership helps children learn, belong, and pursue excellence close to home. Continued support will help us connect and deepen the work across both regions, while building the capacity of public partners to sustain it. We invite you to continue building this future with us.