Tel-Hai Magazine 2022

Hila was born on Kibbutz Evron, near Nahariya. While at high school, Hila acted as a counselor in the ‘Hashomer Hatzair’ youth movement, initiated workshops and seminars on social issues, and taught in various educational institutions with the intent of encouraging social en gagement amongst youth. Not Student Entrepreneurs

power young women to enter into politics, where they are largely under-represented. Today, the program runs at academic in stitutions around the country. However, Hila and Shai soon understood that they did not want to limit the program to stu dents at Tel-Hai. They wanted to

make it more inclusive, adapt it to the unique character and demography of the Galilee, and open it to all women living in the re gion, regardless of their age or occupation. Their goal was to empower participants to generate change in fields relevant to the communities in which they

stopping there, she volun teered for an additional year in the youth move ment, which she spent working in communities near the Gaza Strip. During this period, she helped design and imple ment programs intended to respond to the unique needs of

the communities, needs created not only by their pe ripheral location, but also because they are situated in an area where rocket attacks are virtually routine. Following her vol untary year in the south of the country, Hila be gan her mandato ry military service and enlisted in the ‘Karakal’ combat unit. When Hila began her studies in the De partment of Economics and Management at Tel-Hai, her goal was not only to earn a degree, but also to learn how to develop mechanisms that could help bring about wide-ranging and lasting social change. With this in mind, she joined the Local Government Cadet Program, which is ac tive at Tel-Hai and aims to prepare young adults for careers in local government in Israel. At the college, Hila also met Shai Rab inowitz, a student dedicated to promoting gender equality. Together, they opened the ‘Young Female Politician Program’ at Tel Hai. The program, originally established by Nitzan Senior, a graduate of the He brew University, is independent of any political party and it aims to train and em

live, and to create a diverse network of women - a lob by that could work with the lo cal authorities. The program took shape and a group of 20 out standing women participated, 10 of whom were students at Tel Hai, and the re

Making a difference Meet Tel-Hai graduate, Hila Schwartz, 28, for whom social activ ism and community engagement are an inseparable part of life

maining 10 were residents of the Galilee, from outside the college. A third of the overall number of participants were wom en from Arabic-speaking communities, from both inside and outside the college. Throughout the year, participants met with experienced female politicians and activists, and learned debating skills, pub lic speaking, and how to market their ideas. A new group has opened this year, a testament to the program’s success and popularity. Graduates of the program are now working independently to advance their respective causes and continue to meet with each other, to strengthen and maintain their network. Hila Schwartz has made valuable and far-reaching contributions wherever she has been. She is currently working in Acre Municipal Government as a business pro motion consultant.

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