From the Kitchen Table to the Knesset
Derech Eretz gives Israelis a real say in how this country is run — and rebuilds the civic fabric that holds society together.
What We Bring Together
- Local reachOrganizing committees in 57 cities give us direct access to regional agendas and the ability to put resources on the ground wherever the situation calls for it.1
- Political leverageAn established legislative caucus inside the Knesset lets us track where the law is heading and push the community's interests through formal committees and parliamentary inquiries.2
- Independent expertiseOur in-house analytical center monitors markets and social trends, supplying the community with verified data, forecasts, and the evidence to make sound decisions.3
- A business communityAn active network of entrepreneurs and senior executives building value chains, sharing know-how, and pursuing joint ventures inside a trusted ecosystem.4
- Mutual aidA dedicated peer-to-peer support platform that connects members to solutions quickly in moments of crisis and strengthens the bonds inside the community.5
What We Do
Derech Eretz works along four strategic tracks — civic education, local self-governance, resources, and legislation. Each track advances a clear set of goals.
- We solve real municipal problems through direct support for the movement's organizers on the ground. Residents bring the demand; we turn it into concrete results, block by block.
- Technical infrastructure and legal support for local projects in cities across Israel. We advise organizers, supply expert input, and award small grants that directly fund grassroots municipal initiatives.
- We are drafting and advancing the Neighborhood Councils Legalization Act through the Knesset. In parallel, we are running pilot neighborhood councils in cities across Israel to test the model in practice and convening expert dialogue on modernizing the legal framework for civic participation.
- We train the next generation of change-makers. Organizers learn the practical tools that make change happen — from effective fundraising and project management to current best practices in civic engagement.
By the Numbers
Current program metrics. Figures are updated quarterly.
- 20 214People engaged
- 57Cities
- 43Active projects
- 211Meetings with elected officials
- QuarterlyNeighborhood council sessions
- 2 billsCurrently in the legislative pipeline
Rabbi Alexander Hayat
I want to share a dream with you. It is something I have been working toward, and I believe I have found the way to reach it.
My dream is that every one of my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances will see themselves treated with respect. That people will seek them out for conversation, offer them meaningful projects, and put real money behind them as equal partners. I am talking about the friends who have done the enormous work of building a life here, only to find themselves stuck — people who carry tremendous human and intellectual capital and have so much to contribute to this remarkable country. All they need is a foothold. A point of leverage. To be lifted above the grind and have some of the weight taken off their shoulders. That is my dream.
If this resonates with you, join the mission. Find your place in it as a citizen committed to peace and democracy. Live and earn your living with dignity — and reach back to lift up the people who need you. Let us help one another.
My dream is that every one of my friends, colleagues, and acquaintances will see themselves treated with respect. That people will seek them out for conversation, offer them meaningful projects, and put real money behind them as equal partners. I am talking about the friends who have done the enormous work of building a life here, only to find themselves stuck — people who carry tremendous human and intellectual capital and have so much to contribute to this remarkable country. All they need is a foothold. A point of leverage. To be lifted above the grind and have some of the weight taken off their shoulders. That is my dream.
If this resonates with you, join the mission. Find your place in it as a citizen committed to peace and democracy. Live and earn your living with dignity — and reach back to lift up the people who need you. Let us help one another.
In the Press
A selection of external coverage and mentions.
Rabbi Alexander Hayat’s Derech Eretz Movement Seeks To Rebuild Israel’s Civic And Strategic Foundations
New research from the Dor Moriah center warns that Israeli society remains mentally anchored to outdated geopolitical assumptions as regional alliances and internal cohesion rapidly evolve.
‘United against Iran’: A phrase Israelis no longer believe
The groups most opposed to the current government no longer see the external enemy as the principal danger; they see it inside the country itself.
Russian Speakers in Haifa: From Discontent to Participation — An Interview with Igor Kaminnik
Recent years have brought growing recognition that Russian-speaking citizens of Israel need genuine political and social agency.
Knesset Discusses Legalizing Neighborhood Councils as a Tool for Bridging Social Divides
On July 21, 2025, the Knesset's legislative caucus convened to address the formal recognition of neighborhood councils in Israeli cities
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Contact
Get in touch to discuss an initiative, a partnership, or a way to get involved. We respond within two business days.
224 Yafo Street, Jerusalem, Israel