From Ann Arbor to Zarzir: Supporting Young People in Northern Israel

We are deeply grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, Michigan, for its generous support of children and teens in Zarzir, a Bedouin community in northern Israel.

Through this new partnership, HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed (NOAL), Dror Israel’s associated youth movement, will strengthen youth activities in Zarzir, develop young leaders, and create more opportunities for children and teens to experience belonging and community.

Young participants and counselors gather for a group discussion at NOAL’s Zarzir branch, building confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging.

The support comes at an especially meaningful time. On March 13, 2026, an Iranian missile struck Zarzir. Although no lives were lost, dozens of residents were injured, including NOAL members and graduates, and homes and public spaces were damaged. For young people, returning to familiar activities, friends, and trusted educators can help restore routine and stability.

Zarzir is home to one of NOAL’s largest local branches, traditionally reaching around 200 children and teens each year, supported by approximately 25 teenage junior counselors.

Thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, NOAL will strengthen weekly activities for ages 8 to 18, expand leadership opportunities for high school students, increase activities in local schools, and deepen connections with families and the wider community.

Children and teens from NOAL’s Zarzir branch take part in group activities, games, and leadership-building experiences that strengthen friendships and community connections.

At the heart of NOAL’s approach is the belief that young people are not only participants. They can become leaders in their own communities. Teenage counselors take responsibility for younger participants, becoming trusted role models while developing their own confidence, leadership, and sense of responsibility.

For Zarzir’s young people, recovery is about more than repairing physical damage. It is also about strengthening relationships, rebuilding confidence, and creating hope for the future.

We thank the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and the entire Ann Arbor community for standing with the young people of Zarzir.

From Ann Arbor to Zarzir, this partnership shows what is possible when communities stand together, even from thousands of miles apart.