In recent months we have been witnessing a heartwarming collaboration between Shenkar and the women of Jisr az-Zarqa. The goal: to help the women of Jisr az-Zarqa gain financial independence. This cause is aligned with Shenkar’s vision of creating a world where design and engineering work together to benefit the community.

The project was initiated by Celia Jawabreh, who heads Shenkar’s Unit for Arab Students; Michal Koren, acting vice-dean at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management; and Michal Sadeh, a social justice entrepreneur who runs vocational training programs for Arab women.

As part of the project, the women of Jisr az-Zarqa took part in a workshop for designing laptop slipcases (led by textile designer Kim Munoz Salazar, head of social projects at Shenkar). The slipcases will be sold in collaboration with the Beach Hub, a coworking space on the beach at Jisr az-Zarqa, frequented by people from all over Israel. The sales revenues will go directly to the designers, adding to their income and helping them thrive.

Celia Jubari, Head of The Unit for Arab Students, and the women of Jisr az-Zarqa

At Michal Koren’s request, three industrial engineering and management students were recruited into the project. Under Koren’s guidance, the students developed a pricing tool and helped formulate a detailed business plan that would help the women expand their range of products in the future. Three design students (from the departments of Textile Design, Visual Communication and Industrial Design) will help the women with branding.

Funded by the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Israeli Council for Higher Education, this important multidisciplinary project empowers Arab women while fostering collaboration between Shenkar’s School of Industrial Engineering and Management and its design departments.

The project launched on June 1, 2021, just after Operation Guardian of the Walls had ended. Everyone involved in the project worked tirelessly, fueled by their genuine belief in creating a better future together for everyone.

The industrial engineering and management students who took part in the project are Eyal Azaria, Hagai Flint, and Dor Mizrahi.

The design students who took part in the project are Ulah Atalla (Industrial Design), Dina Hajuj (Visual Communication), and Zainab Mansur (Textile Design).

Image credit: Celia Jawabreh and Michal Sadeh