Maase Center

Maase Center (מרכז מעשה) is an Israeli non-profit organization and educational brand founded in 2004 by educator and social entrepreneur Miki Nevo, with support from the IVN organization and the Rashi Foundation. It operates as a subsidiary of the Rashi Foundation and is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities and social mobility for young people from Israel's social and geographic periphery. The organization's vision is a society in which young people from all segments of Israeli society—Jews, Arabs, Bedouins, Druze, religious, secular, and ultra-Orthodox—can realize their potential and drive social change. Maase Center runs a continuum of educational and social programs spanning ages: youth programs for grades 7–12, year-of-service frameworks (Shnat Sherut), national-civilian service, pre-military academies (mechinot), and alumni communities. Its flagship programs include the Maase Garin (service year communities), the Midrasha for Shared Life, and numerous pre-military academies such as Mechina Ofek La'Atid, Mechina Bnei Gad, Mechina Gal, and Maase BaGalil (Tiberias and Kiryat Shmona), Maase BaNegev (Netivot), and others. It also operates programs for the Arab society, including the Dorov program and the Institute for Arab Leadership, as well as the Yessod program for diversity in public service. The organization operates nationally across approximately 70 local authorities. According to its official website, it engages about 1,000 young people in service years, 3,496 teenagers in its programs, and reaches 30,000 children and teens through its activities, with 11,500 alumni. It reports that 65% of its alumni are first-generation academics, 38% go on to command roles, and 88% enlist in quality military positions. Its annual budget is approximately 50 million shekels, funded by government ministries, philanthropic foundations, businesses, and private donors. Maase Center has received numerous awards, including the Ministry of Defense Award (2009), the Sderot Conference for Society Award (2010), the Knesset Chairman's Award for Quality of Life (2011), the Yigal Allon Award (2019), and the Tikva Israelit Award (2020). Its board is chaired by Noam Lautman, and its CEO since 2022 is Danny Valel. The organization's headquarters are located in Ben Shemen Youth Village, with additional offices in Karmiel and Acre.

Maase Center was founded in 2004 by Miki Nevo, an educator, entrepreneur, and social activist, with the support of the IVN organization and the Rashi Foundation. Nevo served as the organization's director from 2004 to 2014. The organization was established as a subsidiary of the Rashi Foundation, a major Israeli philanthropic foundation, and operates as a non-profit association (amuta). From its inception, Maase Center focused on promoting social mobility among young people from Israel's social and geographic periphery. Its approach is based on the theory that volunteering frameworks—such as service years, pre-military academies, and national-civilian service—should be accessible to all young people in Israel, not only those from well-established communities. Research indicates that volunteering is a powerful tool for building self-worth, leadership capacity, and ultimately social mobility. Over the years, the organization expanded its programs significantly. It established numerous pre-military academies (mechinot) across the country, including in the Galilee, the Negev, and mixed cities. It developed service year communities (Garin Maase) and a variety of youth programs for grades 7–12. It also created programs specifically for the Arab society, such as the Dorov program and the Institute for Arab Leadership (Intalka), and the Yessod program to promote diversity in Israel's public service. In 2022, Danny Valel became the CEO of Maase Center. Valel had previously been a part of the organization, starting as a service year director, then head of Mechina Gal, director of core field activities, and VP of Education. He later worked at the Rashi Foundation as director of R&D initiatives before returning to lead Maase Center. The organization operates nationally, with offices in Ben Shemen Youth Village, Karmiel, and Acre (Beit Maase). It engages approximately 1,500 young volunteers annually across its programs, with about 1,000 active alumni, 6,500 teenagers in grades 7–12, and benefits around 22,000 children and teens each year through its volunteers. It operates in about 70 local authorities. Its annual budget is approximately 50 million shekels, funded by government ministries, philanthropic foundations, businesses, and private donors. Maase Center has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Ministry of Defense Award (2009), the Sderot Conference for Society Award (2010), the Knesset Chairman's Award for Quality of Life (2011), the Yigal Allon Award (2019), and the Tikva Israelit Award (2020). In 2012, founder Miki Nevo received an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University. In 2013, Maase Center was selected as a member of the Ministry of Education's task-oriented round table.

• 2022

  Danny Valel appointed CEO of Maase Center.

• 2020

  Received the Tikva Israelit Award in the spirit of President Reuven Rivlin's vision.

• 2019

  Received the Yigal Allon Award for pioneering exemplary action.

• 2014

  Miki Nevo concludes his tenure as director of Maase Center.

• 2013

  Maase Center selected as a member of the Ministry of Education's task-oriented round table.

• 2012

  Founder Miki Nevo awarded an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University.

• 2011

  Received the Knesset Chairman's Award for Quality of Life for bridging, tolerance, and narrowing gaps.

• 2010

  Received the Sderot Conference for Society Award as a 'breeding ground for social leaders'.

• 2009

  Received the Ministry of Defense Award for unique activity in narrowing gaps in Israeli society.

• 2004

  Maase Center founded by Miki Nevo with support from IVN and the Rashi Foundation.

Non-profit educational organization promoting equal opportunities and social mobility for youth from Israel's social and geographic periphery.

• Garin Maase

  Service year communities (Shnat Sherut) with 18 communes.

• Midrasha for Shared Life

  Educational program promoting shared life and coexistence.

• Mechina Ofek La'Atid

  Pre-military academy.

• Mechina Bnei Gad

  Pre-military academy.

• Mechina Gal

  Pre-military academy.

• Maase BaGalil (Tiberias)

  Pre-military academy in Tiberias.

• Maase BaGalil (Kiryat Shmona)

  Pre-military academy in Kiryat Shmona.

• Maase BaNegev (Netivot)

  Pre-military academy in Netivot.

• Institute for Arab Leadership (Intalka)

  Leadership program for Arab society.

• Yessod

  Program for diversity in Israeli public service.

1. 1עמותת מרכז מעשה - הפריפריה במרכזmaase.org.il
2. 2אודות - עמותת מרכז מעשהmaase.org.il
3. 3הנהלת העמותה - עמותת מרכז מעשהmaase.org.il
4. 4מרכז מעשה - ויקיפדיהhe.wikipedia.org
5. 5Wikidata: Q108809606wikidata.org