YANIV SAGEE AND FAMILY HEAD FOR NEW YORK

 

Galia and Yaniv Sagee out and about with the International Department on the Amir mountains

 

Born and raised at Kibbutz Ein Hashofet, Yaniv Sagee and his family recently left the comfort of their successful Menashe Hills community to pick up the challenge of making a difference in North America as new emissaries for Givat Haviva – and extended 'hamula' of Hashomer Hatzair, Kibbutz Movement, Meretz and Peace Now. 

Wearing so many hats of responsibility at the same time might be a daunting prospect and too tall an order for some but Yaniv, who recently completed his second stint as general secretary of his veteran kibbutz, seems to take such situations in his stride.  For the past two decades he has been a central figure in various organizations connected to education in general, and youth movements in particular, whilst also volunteering his expertise to the Partnership 2000 team of the local Megiddo Municipality, advising and directing decision making  at the somewhat unique kibbutz of Pelech in the Galilee,  and more – much more.

Although a quiet and modest gentleman, Yaniv Sagee's sense of determination, commitment and responsibility comes through very strongly, as does the support of wife Galia, a theatre director, teacher of drama and education consultant.

Sagee describes his wife as an 'active partner' in all his positions of responsibility to date and she is planning to be a contributing factor to a successful posting to North America whilst at the same time taking care of their 3 children, aged 6, 11 and 13.

Over two decades ago Yaniv Sagee spent a year as a young emissary in Chicago on behalf of Hashomer Hatzair and kibbutz movement.  Upon returning home he worked in the kibbutz diary, responsible for the health and fertility side of the large dairy herd before being asked to take up the post of Ein Hashofet's general secretary the first time.

Ein Hashofet was settled by pioneers from Poland and North America in the late 1930's and named in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis – 'shofet' being judge in Hebrew.  When taking the post of general secretary of his community, Sagee – then in his late 20's - became one of the youngest, if not the youngest, kibbutz member to hold such a position in a veteran kibbutz.  

An educator at the local high-school and four-year stint as headmaster followed before Sagee became the national chairman of the Hashomer Hatzair movement for a five year period, and then 3 years at the helm of the National Council for Youth in Israel.

During his career to date, Yaniv Sagee has met, worked closely alongside and forged close ties with leading personalities from the world of Israeli politics and government agencies, educational establishments and youth organizations – to name but a few.

Prior to leaving recently for New York, Yaniv spent time at Givat Haviva to update himself with the diverse departments to be found on campus, and to meet administrative and educational staff members responsible for departments and many innovative projects organized by Givat Haviva from the Wadi Ara campus and out of the northern branch in the Galilean town of Sakhnin.

The Sagee's also undertook an International Department led tour of the Wadi Ara region, Shaked settlement block, Palestinian communities in that area and the divided by the Green Line Arab Muslim village of Barta'a, in order to see for themselves what thousands of folks from North America every year experience when out and about with Givat Haviva International Department seminars and study tours of the region.

 

Galia and Yaniv Sagee on the Amir mountain range, Ein Hashofet perched on the Menashe Hills in the middle distance

 

From their home community atop the Menashe Hills, the Amir mountain range and city of Umm al-Fahm are clearly visible in the near distance, as are the mountains surrounding Jenin and the Dotan Valley deep in the West Bank in the not-so-near distance.

Although the Jewish and Arab residents of the area view each other from relatively close quarters, the majority do not meet – not only in the Wadi Ara area but throughout Israel in general.

Hopefully, the Sagee's will be successful in encouraging organizations and individuals in North America to become involved with Givat Haviva's educational projects attempting to bring together Israeli Jews and Arabs from either side of the divide, and the Palestinians on the other side.

 

A Palestinian goatherd passes by Yaniv and Galia Sagee on the Umm al-Fahm outer road.  The goatherd explains that he is on his way to the security fence and a checkpoint for agricultural workers about 5 kilometers away.

 

Text & Photos: Lydia Aisenberg

August, 2009