The Task Force Speakers Fellowship provides Arab/Palestinian next-generation leaders in Israel with opportunities to build key leadership skills while meeting and learning about American Jewish communities and raising awareness about Arab citizens of Israel and topics that are important to you. During this ongoing war and in a time of so much pain, we believe it is more important than ever for the voices of Arab/Palestinian citizens to be heard.

Fellows from fields including civil society, shared society, activism, journalism, arts & culture, social entrepreneurship and others, will receive professional training in public speaking and storytelling, with a focus on meeting with and speaking to English-speaking audiences. They will gain firsthand exposure to American Jewish communities and institutions and their role and engagement with Israeli society. The program will help Fellows grow professionally, tell their own stories, reflect on their identity and journey, and expand their networks. Fellows will get to share their perspectives, expertise, experiences, and visions with American Jewish communities and leaders, a population that has interest and influence in Israel but rarely hears directly from Arab and Palestinian citizens of Israel. 

• Launch: A three-day training retreat in Israel. We will get to know each other, explore storytelling for promoting social change, and hear from experts. 

• Personal and Professional Development: 

  • Six evening workshops on Zoom on public speaking, understanding American Jewish communities, integrating the broader context of Arab minority experiences, talking with different audiences, and developing our visions as changemakers and future leaders.

  • One 1.5-day midpoint retreat to expand our skills, put them into practice, and do our first program as a group before the U.S trip. 

  • One-on-one coaching.

• Travel: A 10-12 day experience visiting Jewish communities in the United States including meetings and visits with American Jewish organizations and leaders, public speaking engagements, unique learning opportunities, and dialogue with American Jewish peers. 

• Speakers Bureau: After training, participate in paid speaking opportunities to share your work, perspectives, and story with American Jewish leaders and the larger American Jewish community. Completing the Fellowship includes a commitment to participate in at least 16 speaking engagements over two years. 

• Expenses: The Task Force covers food and lodging for the retreats in Israel, all international travel expenses (except visas) and provides a modest honorarium upon completion of the program.    

• In-person kick off retreat: Friday, January 9 – Sunday, January 11

  • The retreat will start at around 10:30 on Friday and end by 18:00 on Sunday.

  • The hotel and all meals will be covered by the Taskforce.

• Zoom Professional Development Sessions:

  • Tuesday, January 6 from 19:00-21:00

  • Tuesday, January 20 from 19:00-21:00

  • Sunday, February 14 19:00-21:00

  • Tuesday, March 4 from 19:00-21:00

  • Tuesday, April 7 from 19:00-21:00

  • Sunday, April 19 from 19:00-21:00

Note that sessions will be between 90 minutes- 2 hours but please block the entire two hours.

• Post-trip Debrief: Tuesday, June 2 from 19:00-21:00

• A 1.5 mid-point retreat with preparation for the U.S Experience: Friday, March 27- Saturday, March 28

  • The hotel and all meals will be covered by the Task Force.

  • This program will include a Shabbat dinner event with American rabbinical students.

• U.S Experience: Estimated dates are May 3-May 15, 2026.

  • We will confirm the exact cities we will be travelling to over the next few months.

  • All expenses in the U.S associated with Fellowship (lodging, food, etc.) are covered by the Task Force.

  • The Task Force will cover economy class tickets for all portion of the trips. You are welcome to arrive early or stay late as long as a ticket is within the designated budget. If you would like to upgrade your seat you will be responsible for related costs.

• You commit to attending all of the programs on all of the dates listed on the calendar above, barring serious illness or emergency.

• You commit to being part of a speakers bureau for two years following the completion of the program (June 2026- May 2028), meaning:

  • You commit to speaking on or participating in at least 16 programs with the Task Force over two years. Most programs will take place in Israel with some on Zoom and possible (but not guaranteed) opportunities in-person in the U.S.

  • There may end up being fewer or greater than 16 speaking invitations, depending on demand. We also hope to continue offering you opportunities after the 2 years are over!

  • For each speaking opportunity you will receive a minimum of $200 honorarium

  • The vast majority of opportunities will NOT be with philanthropists or funders. None of the events are fundraising opportunities and direct solicitation is prohibited. Task Force events are educational, and we assure our audiences they are coming to learn.

  • Most events will be with American Jewish audiences including community professionals and lay-leaders, young adult changemakers, American Jewish educators, university students, rabbis and rabbinical students, and American young adult programs visiting Israel. Many times, we plan these programs with other organizations, which can include youth groups, Taglit, schools, Jewish community centers etc.  Sometimes you may speak with people who are deeply involved and connected to the realities in Israel who may be learning about Arab citizens for the very first time.

  • You can always refuse to participate in a specific program if you are unavailable or if it crosses an ideological line. However, we do expect you to be generally open to speaking to the different audiences above and that you will be able to say yes to most of the programs you are offered if the dates work.

• During the Fellowship and Speakers Bureau you will show up to all speaking engagements on time, prepared, and fully able to participate. If challenges emerge you will promptly communicate with the Task Force or other relevant partners.

• You will be responsible for communicating with partners, sending paperwork, and following up as needed to make sure you are paid for speaking engagements.

• You will procure and pay for your own visa or ESTA visa waiver for traveling to the U.S.

• You allow us to share your photo, bio, and other media in promoting the program and our work. We will do our best to check in with you before publishing marketing material for specific speaking engagements.