RAWNAK NATOUR
SIKKUY’S NEW CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

In mid-August Rawnak Natour will commence work as the new co-executive director of Sikkuy alongside Ron Gerlitz.  She will replace Jabir Asaqla who is concluding two years of intensive and successful activity.

Sikkuy’s board of directors chose Rawnak from a few very capable finalists.  We see this as a mark of distinction for Sikkuy that so many highly qualified candidates, most of them holding senior positions at other organizations, wanted to join our work. We are particularly pleased that the candidate chosen brings with her an innovative, determined and activist spirit.

Rawnak was born in Kalanswa and received her BA in community social work and MA in early childhood education from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where she was active in the Arab student’s association.

For a number of years she worked on the Shatil team advancing equal rights and coordinated the project for special education for the Arab community.  She has 20 years of experience in a wide range of fields in social activism and human and civil rights. Among these activities, she led, managed and participated in projects to advance equal rights in employment, education and against discrimination. In recent years, Rawnak held a wide range of managerial positions in frameworks to advance employment opportunities for educated immigrants in Denmark. Rawnak and her family will be returning to Israel in the near future.

As we say farewell to Jabir Asaqla we want to convey to him our warmest thanks for his dedication, diligence and unstinting commitment to Sikkuy.  Jabir revealed himself to be a thoughtful leader who engendered a positive and cooperative atmosphere for the staff, board and co-chairs. We were fortunate to benefit from his professionalism that led the staff, with considered and determined patience, to path breaking achievements on the road to equality and shared society.  We extend to Jabir our best wishes for his continued health and success in his new position.

And on behalf of Sikkuy’s board, we are pleased to wish Sikkuy’s co-executive directors, Rawnak Natour and Ron Gerlitz, a fruitful and successful partnership to continue and expand Sikkuy’s achievements.

Sincerely,
Muhammad Amara and Avirama Golan
Co-Chairs
Sikkuy