Held ahead of Jerusalem Day 2026, the gathering brought together representatives from 15 mission-driven movements and communities operating under MAKOM (The Council of Mission-Driven Communities in Israel). Participants came from diverse sectors of Israeli society, including religious and secular Israelis, longtime residents of Israel’s periphery alongside those who moved there, Druze citizens, Ethiopian Israelis, as well as educators and artists.
The initiative was born out of growing concerns over increasing polarization in Israeli society, and a shared recognition of the need to foster unity, dialogue, and engagement across divides. Especially in an election year, following a prolonged period of war and ongoing social and national challenges, the organizers sought to create a space for connection, partnership, and shared responsibility - one that enables diverse identities to meet, listen, and actively participate in shaping Israel’s future. The gathering also aimed to lay the groundwork for broader cooperation around a shared goal: strengthening Israel as a Jewish and democratic state that reflects and serves its diverse communities.
At the center of the event were five immersive artistic installations created by the participating movements and organizations, each exploring the question of what Jerusalem might look like in 2048, Israel’s 100th year. The installations offered different interpretations of the city’s future and served as a starting point for a shared journey through contrasting visions of Israeli society.
The day concluded with facilitated dialogue circles that brought together participants from across Israel’s social spectrum. The discussions focused on how the encounter could be translated into concrete civic and social action. Central to the conversations was an effort to articulate a “Covenant of Purpose” - a shared language of values, responsibility, and direction for Israeli society.
The decision to hold the event at Ammunition Hill (Giv'at HaTahmoshet) reflects its historical and symbolic significance as a site that connects Israel’s past, present, and future.
Hadas Goldman, Chairperson of MAKOM, said, “This event represents the culmination of a year-long educational and communal process during which diverse movements and organizations met, learned, and worked together around questions of identity, sovereignty, community, and a shared future. At a time when Israeli society is facing profound challenges, there is great importance in the ability of communities to meet, listen, and take shared responsibility for shaping the country’s future.”
For more than 15 years, MAKOM has worked to strengthen Israeli society through mission-driven communities, educational initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships. The council brings together approximately 300 communities and groups across Israel, representing more than 18,000 members, with a focus on Israel’s geographic and social periphery.