Yahya Mahamid, a young Israeli Arab working as an educator at the international Israel education organization StandWithUs, was a guest speaker at Bruriah.

Addressing the students, faculty and staff, he presented his inspiring story. Born in Umm Al Fahm, an Arab city in northern Israel, Mahamid had a typical Arab upbringing. He was indoctrinated from childhood to hate Jews and deny Israel’s statehood. He began having regular interactions with “everyday” Israelis which challenged the negative views he had been encouraged to develop. Mahamid began to see Israel’s struggle for co-existence and desire for a peaceful future, despite being surrounded by many strategic threats.

After realizing that he had been intentionally misled, Mahamid decided to do everything within his power to combat the negative stereotypes and demonization of Israel.

Bruriah junior, Gila Allen (Edison), heard Mahamid tell his story to her group on a recent Israel summer program and she suggested to the Bruriah administration that he speak at the school. Gila says, “Hearing Yahya Mahamid’s inspirational story solidified what it truly means to be the power of one. He stood up for what he believed in at times when it was anything but easy. He inspires me to stand up for what I believe in and speak out against the lies about Israel.”