Gefen Programs
Educational, therapeutic and enrichment programs for schools
Theater in the Service of Education
Gefen — Pedagogical Management Flexibility
Gefen — Pedagogical Management Flexibility
The Gefen program is a budgetary framework from the Ministry of Education that gives schools independence and flexibility in managing their educational resources. The Ministry transfers a budget of 11,500 NIS per student to each school, shared between the school and the local authority. The core idea is to allow principals to choose educational programs and services from the Ministry's approved provider database — without requiring committee approval for each engagement.
Our Programs
Audience
Topic
Drama Therapy
Al Shams Center specializes in emotional therapy within educational institutions, in collaboration with the University of Haifa, Tel Hai and Oranim. All therapists are certified and undergo ongoing training. Therapy takes place in the child's familiar environment — reducing barriers and enabling a genuine therapeutic process.Types of therapy: Drama Therapy — emotional expression through play, improvisation and storytelling Psychotherapy — professional talk therapy for a range of emotional difficulties Psychodrama — group emotional processing through role-playing real-life situations Arts Therapy — creative expression as an emotional language Bibliotherapy — therapy through books and stories Music Therapy — listening, singing and playing instruments as therapeutic tools Styling Therapy — connecting clothing to self-image and emotion
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Theater Workshop with Final Product
A 12–16 hour workshop. Theater as a tool for life: personal empowerment, public speaking, diction and teamwork. No final performance — everyone participates, everyone grows.
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Medical Clowning
Children embark on a magical journey of humor, creativity and giving. They learn mime, stand in front of an audience and acquire tools from the world of clowning. They develop empathy, connection with others and the power of laughter — and at the end they become medical clowns who go out to bring joy to people in medical centers.
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The Young Journalist
Eight fascinating sessions. 4 sessions with Yasmin Dalal, a mediator and group facilitator who works with students on emotional regulation and public speaking. 4 sessions with journalist Forat Nassar who works with students on writing and text analysis, diction and public speaking. A culminating day can be arranged where the children present short news reports.
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Carpentry Workshop — Build, Create, Take Home
Two tracks: Track A: A one-time session for up to 15 students. Each child prepares a personal product — sanding, painting and assembling with professional guidance, then takes it home. Track B: A multi-session workshop where a fixed group prepares products for the school, step by step.
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Jewelry Making — Creating Unique Pieces
Children discover unique materials, learn a variety of techniques and create personally designed jewelry. An enriching and immediate creative experience — every child leaves with a product they made with their own hands.
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Watch Us in Action
Our Team
Natalie Houri
Movement Therapist and Dance Teacher
אנגלית: I am Natalie Houri, a flamenco dance teacher and master's student in movement therapy. This year I joined Al Shams Theater and led flamenco dance and movement workshops in various schools in the Arab sector. Al Shams Theater gave me the opportunity to reach workplaces I had never been exposed to before — I received support, guidance and a strong backing.
Maisa Mansour Assakle
Social Worker and Sexuality Education Instructor
החוויה שלי בעבודה מול התיאטרון הינה חוויה חיובית מאוד. המענה של צוות התיאטרון מאוד הולם, זריז ומקצועי. בתור מנחה, מאוד היה לי נוח לתאם מול המסגרות ומול התיאטרון; הרגשתי שיש אמון הדדי ומרחב פעולה, מה שתרם לקידום העבודה שלי מול המסגרות. אהבתי את ימי העיון שהוצעו עבור כלל המטפלות ואת הרצון להשקיע ולקדם את כולן. תודה רבה הן לשמס והן לסלוא על העבודה המסורה. עלו והצליחו!
Huda Daksa
Emotional Therapist in Psychotherapy
On a personal note: What connects me so deeply to Al Shams Theater is first and foremost the people. I am here because of the wonderful, trustworthy and humane people who lead the program, and because of the respectful and empowering treatment at every level. Then, and no less importantly, because of the professionalism, the desire to do good, to bring change and innovation, and to introduce the therapeutic field into the Arab sector with full force and at the highest level possible.
Vivian Daw
Emotional Therapist in Drama Therapy
I finally found an organization that understands the therapeutic language, provides personal guidance at the start of every project, and offers rich and educational study days.
Sarhan Mahamid
Medical Clown
With the help of Al Shams Theater, we succeeded this year in delivering medical clowning workshops in several schools in the Arab and Druze sectors. We are pleased to say that the workshops achieved their goals, and the collaboration with Al Shams Theater was successful and enjoyable.
Yasmin Said Dalal
Mediator and Group Facilitator
I was very happy to work with such a wonderful person as Shams Zaher — a fair, honest and professional man. The trust was mutual. I have worked with several providers, and I will say this honestly: there is no one like Shams when it comes to integrity and loyalty. He is patient and accepting, full of calm and humanity, and most importantly — his conscience is still very much alive at the highest level. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with Al Shams Theater, and I look forward to continuing.
Lina Faour
Theater Teacher
The theater workshops I delivered at school through Al Shams Theater were a tremendous success in every respect, and left a significant and lasting impression on the students across many areas.
Forat Nassar
Journalist
It was simply a pleasure to feel the change in the students. Moving from school to school, the change is noticeable: students who were afraid of the stage by the end of the course let go and start speaking and broadcasting like journalists — and this is something that is missing in schools in Arab society. Within just a few months we managed to instill that change. In Kafr Qasim, for example, on the culminating day at the end of the course all the parents came — and it felt like we had conquered a summit.
Goni Havis
Medical Clown
With all love and appreciation, I would like to thank Al Shams Theater for the wonderful atmosphere that surrounded every moment of our work together. From the very first moment I felt the level of constructive collaboration, the beautiful spirit and the mutual respect in every interaction — which made working with you a truly joyful and happy experience. I felt a very high level of professionalism, attention to every detail, alongside a warm human spirit that makes everyone who works with you feel comfortable and a sense of belonging. And most beautiful of all — throughout the entire time I felt as if I was among family, and not just within a work framework. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope this beautiful collaboration continues always.
Gwaina Masri
Actress and Theater Facilitator
To the wonderful team, I want to thank you for the positive work environment and your excellent treatment. I really enjoyed the experience with you, and I look forward to achieving shared success.
Louay Sabek
Carpentry Workshop Facilitator
We were very pleased to collaborate with Al Shams Theater Association, where we met a team with a listening ear and full willingness to cooperate for the benefit of the students and the success of the project. We hope for many more collaborations in the future.
Marihan Houri
Emotional Therapist in Psychotherapy
My experience with Al Shams is beyond words, but to keep it brief—it has been wonderful. I felt like I was in a warm, welcoming home that pays great attention to detail and provides immediate support for any questions or inquiries. I am very happy with our collaboration and look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship.
Maria Masri
Music Therapist
I am delighted to collaborate with the Al Shams Theater Association and am truly grateful for the opportunity to lead music workshops and therapy sessions. This experience has allowed me to connect with remarkable individuals within the community and guide them on a profound, expressive, and human journey through music. I feel a great sense of love and acceptance from the participants, which fosters a warm, safe environment for both expression and growth. This work not only enriches them but also contributes significantly to my professional and personal development, further reinforcing my belief in the power of music as a vital tool for communication, healing, and building human bridges.
Ola Kiyuf Halabi
Emotional Therapist using CBT and Arts-Based Approaches
After years of working together across several schools, I can say with certainty: Al Shams is not just an organization; it is a home. This collaboration is built on trust, mutual respect, and genuine care that extends far beyond the professional realm. Knowing that your work is recognized, your path is respected, and your sense of belonging is valued—that is rare. Working alongside an association that truly lives its values makes you a better educator. I am grateful for every moment of this shared journey.
Movement Therapist and Dance Teacher
אנגלית: I am Natalie Houri, a flamenco dance teacher and master's student in movement therapy. This year I joined Al Shams Theater and led flamenco dance and movement workshops in various schools in the Arab sector. Al Shams Theater gave me the opportunity to reach workplaces I had never been exposed to before — I received support, guidance and a strong backing.
Social Worker and Sexuality Education Instructor
החוויה שלי בעבודה מול התיאטרון הינה חוויה חיובית מאוד. המענה של צוות התיאטרון מאוד הולם, זריז ומקצועי. בתור מנחה, מאוד היה לי נוח לתאם מול המסגרות ומול התיאטרון; הרגשתי שיש אמון הדדי ומרחב פעולה, מה שתרם לקידום העבודה שלי מול המסגרות. אהבתי את ימי העיון שהוצעו עבור כלל המטפלות ואת הרצון להשקיע ולקדם את כולן. תודה רבה הן לשמס והן לסלוא על העבודה המסורה. עלו והצליחו!
Emotional Therapist in Psychotherapy
On a personal note: What connects me so deeply to Al Shams Theater is first and foremost the people. I am here because of the wonderful, trustworthy and humane people who lead the program, and because of the respectful and empowering treatment at every level. Then, and no less importantly, because of the professionalism, the desire to do good, to bring change and innovation, and to introduce the therapeutic field into the Arab sector with full force and at the highest level possible.
Emotional Therapist in Drama Therapy
I finally found an organization that understands the therapeutic language, provides personal guidance at the start of every project, and offers rich and educational study days.
Medical Clown
With the help of Al Shams Theater, we succeeded this year in delivering medical clowning workshops in several schools in the Arab and Druze sectors. We are pleased to say that the workshops achieved their goals, and the collaboration with Al Shams Theater was successful and enjoyable.
Mediator and Group Facilitator
I was very happy to work with such a wonderful person as Shams Zaher — a fair, honest and professional man. The trust was mutual. I have worked with several providers, and I will say this honestly: there is no one like Shams when it comes to integrity and loyalty. He is patient and accepting, full of calm and humanity, and most importantly — his conscience is still very much alive at the highest level. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with Al Shams Theater, and I look forward to continuing.
Theater Teacher
The theater workshops I delivered at school through Al Shams Theater were a tremendous success in every respect, and left a significant and lasting impression on the students across many areas.
Journalist
It was simply a pleasure to feel the change in the students. Moving from school to school, the change is noticeable: students who were afraid of the stage by the end of the course let go and start speaking and broadcasting like journalists — and this is something that is missing in schools in Arab society. Within just a few months we managed to instill that change. In Kafr Qasim, for example, on the culminating day at the end of the course all the parents came — and it felt like we had conquered a summit.
Medical Clown
With all love and appreciation, I would like to thank Al Shams Theater for the wonderful atmosphere that surrounded every moment of our work together. From the very first moment I felt the level of constructive collaboration, the beautiful spirit and the mutual respect in every interaction — which made working with you a truly joyful and happy experience. I felt a very high level of professionalism, attention to every detail, alongside a warm human spirit that makes everyone who works with you feel comfortable and a sense of belonging. And most beautiful of all — throughout the entire time I felt as if I was among family, and not just within a work framework. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope this beautiful collaboration continues always.
Actress and Theater Facilitator
To the wonderful team, I want to thank you for the positive work environment and your excellent treatment. I really enjoyed the experience with you, and I look forward to achieving shared success.
Carpentry Workshop Facilitator
We were very pleased to collaborate with Al Shams Theater Association, where we met a team with a listening ear and full willingness to cooperate for the benefit of the students and the success of the project. We hope for many more collaborations in the future.
Emotional Therapist in Psychotherapy
My experience with Al Shams is beyond words, but to keep it brief—it has been wonderful. I felt like I was in a warm, welcoming home that pays great attention to detail and provides immediate support for any questions or inquiries. I am very happy with our collaboration and look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship.
Music Therapist
I am delighted to collaborate with the Al Shams Theater Association and am truly grateful for the opportunity to lead music workshops and therapy sessions. This experience has allowed me to connect with remarkable individuals within the community and guide them on a profound, expressive, and human journey through music. I feel a great sense of love and acceptance from the participants, which fosters a warm, safe environment for both expression and growth. This work not only enriches them but also contributes significantly to my professional and personal development, further reinforcing my belief in the power of music as a vital tool for communication, healing, and building human bridges.
Emotional Therapist using CBT and Arts-Based Approaches
After years of working together across several schools, I can say with certainty: Al Shams is not just an organization; it is a home. This collaboration is built on trust, mutual respect, and genuine care that extends far beyond the professional realm. Knowing that your work is recognized, your path is respected, and your sense of belonging is valued—that is rare. Working alongside an association that truly lives its values makes you a better educator. I am grateful for every moment of this shared journey.
What They Say About Us
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