Who are we?
Our story began with two friends from Jerusalem who decided to practice Hebrew and Arabic together, and grew into one of the largest longstanding Jewish-Palestinian communities in the city.
Spoken Jerusalemite puts language at the center, seeking to turn it from a source of alienation and fear into the basis for real communication, familiarity and understanding between women from different parts of Jerusalem. In what may be Israel’s most volatile city, we manage to create a common language and bring together hundreds of women not likely to meet otherwise.
We also work to promote equality of rights and opportunities, and to ensure that language barriers do not impede any woman seeking independence and self-fulfillment. Our community, which has been growing steadily since 2017, is run by an egalitarian team of Palestinian and Jewish women as part of the Kulna Jerusalem non-profit organization. In addition to the many activities held for our members, we offer language courses, workshops and translation services to individuals and organizations all over the country.
Our team
Avigail Zohar Millgram
Community Coordinator, “Free to Talk?” and “Keep on Moving”
I’ve been a community member since 2023. I believe that the language of movement and the body, together with spoken language, create connections that help to build bridges over what separates us.
Hiba Bark
Events Coordinator
I’m a student majoring in industrial engineering and management, and have been a community member since 2022. I believe in the power of our small community to make a big difference for the city and its women.
Hadba Askar
Coordinator, The Employment Project, “Free to Talk?” and “Keep on Moving”
I’m a researcher and teaching associate in law and human rights at Birzeit University, and a coordinator for the community. I love being part of this community, which to me means diversity and difference in language, culture, religion - but one shared heart.
Noga Zer
Events coordinator
I’m an educator by day and a community events coordinator by night. I’m originally from Mevasseret Zion and now live in Tel Aviv, but my heart always stays in Jerusalem. I’ve been in the community since 2019 and am still newly moved by every gathering I go to.
Lior Urian
Founder and Co-Director
Believes in the power of language to create genuine understanding between us and promote a society where each of us has a real, equal place. Thrilled and touched by every gathering, and by the women who choose to take part in the community, to give of themselves and to make space for others – even in difficult times.
Dareen oudeh
Events Coordinator
I joined the community as a university student to practice my Hebrew. Now, few years later, I can see how much has contributed to my learning and personal development. I’ve gotten to know women from other cultures and made some dear friends. I am grateful to all the women who run the community and proud to be a part of it.
Hagar Mizrachi
Coordinator, The Employment Project
I’m a social worker from Jerusalem and grew up in shared, bilingual spaces. I believe in this city, in its people, and in making things happen together. The community shows me every day how much power women have to create change towards a better future for us all.
Yael Malhi
Community Coordinator, “The Elephant in the Room”
I’m a fourth-year student of Islam and Middle Eastern Studies at the Shalem Academic Center. I’ve been living in Jerusalem for the last four years. I joined the community and fell in love with it. I believe in the healing that meeting each other brings.
Tamara Jaber
Coordinator and facilitator, “The Elephant in the Room”
I’ve been part of the community since 2020, out of faith in the power of communication and joint language study to be a first step towards a better reality.
Suzan Sayyad
Founder and Co-Director
I live on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and have been a member of the community since it was created. I believe in our community as a safe space where any woman can be herself, grow personally and professionally, and help to create a better reality in this city.
Odeya Guri
Program director
I am a software developer for Mobileye by day, and a volunteer in the community by night. I am part of the community because I believe, see and experience how much learning the language helps to break down barriers and create an opening for deep connection.
Hagar Bartana
Coordinator, Language Exchange
I’m a doctoral student in atmospheric science (climate change) and have been volunteering in the community since 2020. I grew up learning both Hebrew and Arabic, so that mixed spaces feel very natural to me. I love our community and want to promote direct, genuine encounters between women who are neighbors.
Yasmeen Risheq
Coordinator, “Beit Hamidrash محادثة دينية”
I have a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and Education from the Hebrew University, and have been part of the community since 2021. I joined the Spoken Jerusalemite team because I want to change the reality for Arab women in Jerusalem. I believe in their potential, and will do everything I can to make sure they achieve it.
Layan Jolani
Community Coordinator
I’m a student and oversee the community’s social media content. I came to the community a few months ago. My goals are to help other women learn my language, and to learn a new language myself.