As a community-based organization, A New Dawn in the Negev is intrinsically attuned to the challenges and opportunities of Bedouin society from the grassroots level. The Bedouin community of Israel's Negev is a marginalized, indigenous population with low socioeconomic resources, both in relation to Israel's mainstream population and its Arab non-Bedouin counterparts. Rahat is the largest Bedouin community in Israel and its only Bedouin city. With a population of 80,000, 66% of whom are estimated to be under the age of 18 and 80% under age 30, meaningful tools for leadership development and social engagement are of paramount importance to community development. Fueled by a passion and a vision for a better future for Rahat, Jamal Alkirnawi founded A New Dawn in 2009. Our programs include:
- Leadership Circle: Civil Society Engagement for Community Leaders
- Youth at Risk: Employment Training and Educational Assistance
- Afterschool English Program: For High Achieving Teens
- Sarab: Music Education Program for Bedouin Children
- Bedouin Digital Culture Center: Telling Our Stories in Our Own Words
- German Youth Exchange: With Teens from Germany and Rahat