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title: Tsofen-Tashbik - Wikipedia
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> **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsofen-Tashbik

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tsofen-Tashbik

Formation

2008; 18 years ago

Founded at

Nazareth, Israel

Purpose

Promoting hi-tech in Israeli Arab society

Headquarters

Nazareth, Israel; Kafr Qasim, Israel

CEO

Maisam Jaljuli

Key people

Fadi Aboud, Alon Bar-Shany, Prof. Ziyad Hanna, David (Dadi) Perlmutter

Awards

-   Speaker of the Knesset Quality of Life prize for promoting mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs (2015)
-   Abraham Fund Initiatives Shared Society Award (2018)

**Tsofen-Tashbik – Hi-Tech Development in Arab Society Ltd**, formerly Tsofen High Technology Centers Ltd,[\[1\]](#cite_note-1) known simply as Tsofen-Tashbik, is an Israeli-registered [public benefit company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonprofit_organization#Israel "Nonprofit organization") based in [Nazareth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth "Nazareth"), northern [Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel "Israel"), and [Kafr Qasim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafr_Qasim "Kafr Qasim"), in the centre, established as a joint Arab and Jewish [nonprofit organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonprofit_organization "Nonprofit organization") promoting hi-tech in [Israeli Arab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_citizens_of_Israel "Arab citizens of Israel") society, as a lever for economic development and the creation of a shared society in Israel, based on equal participation in a [sustainable economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_economy "Sustainable economy"). Tsofen-Tashbik's mission is to integrate Arabs into Israel’s hi-tech sector and bring hi-tech centers to Arab cities.

## History and leadership

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsofen-Tashbik&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: History and leadership")\]

Tsofen-Tashbik was formed in Nazareth in 2008 by Smadar Nehab, a hi-tech entrepreneur, Sami Saadi, an independent CPA, and Yossi Coten, a former [Amdocs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdocs "Amdocs") executive. Saadi remained one of two Co-CEOs until stepping down at the end of February 2022.[\[2\]](#cite_note-2)[\[3\]](#cite_note-3) From the start of 2023, Tsofen-Tashbik moved to a single-CEO model whilst remaining a Jewish-Arab prganisation in terms of board leadership and staff. The current CEO is [Maisam Jaljuli (Hebrew)](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A1%D7%9D%20%D7%92'%D7%9C%D7%92'%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%99 "he:מייסם ג'לג'ולי"), who replaced Saadi (as Co-CEO) in July 2022,.[\[4\]](#cite_note-4) Tsofen-Tashbik's board, which is half Jewish and half Arab, and whose members include professionals with backgrounds in hi-tech, academia, and business, is co-chaired by Fadi Aboud, an Intel fellow at [Intel Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Corporation "Intel Corporation"), and Alon Bar-Shany, who spent 25 years in a variety of roles including CFO, Corporate VP Finance and—for 16 years until his retirement in 2020—CEO, at [HP Indigo Division](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Indigo_Division "HP Indigo Division"). Tsofen-Tashbik established the Public Council for Promoting Hi-Tech in the Arab Society in Israel, to support and facilitate its mission; it is co-chaired by Professor Ziyad Hanna, VP of R&D at [Cadence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadence_Design_Systems "Cadence Design Systems") and [visiting professor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visiting_professor "Visiting professor") at [Oxford University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_University "Oxford University"), and David (Dadi) Perlmutter, former executive vice president, [Intel Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Corporation "Intel Corporation").[\[5\]](#cite_note-5)

When Tsofen-Tashbik was established, Arab engineers accounted for 0.5% of employees in Israeli hi-tech (about 350 people).[\[6\]](#cite_note-6) Today, they represent 3.7% (about 5,500 people), and Tsofen-Tashbik's stated goal is to increase that percentage to at least 10% by 2025. At a time when there is a shortage of over 15,000 hi-tech engineers in Israel, the Arab community is a key demographic group with the potential to help meet the shortage, with thousands of suitably qualified Arabs who, for various reasons, either do not seek employment in hi-tech or cannot find a way in. In addition, increasing numbers of Arabs are studying hi-tech related subjects at tertiary level: whereas there were only 1,600 Arab graduates in high-tech academic studies between 1985 and 2014, over 2,200 Arab students enrolled in high-tech academic studies in 2016 alone.[\[7\]](#cite_note-7)

Tsofen-Tashbik is a member of Co-Impact (formerly Collective Impact), the partnership for a Breakthrough in Arab Employment, which is a partner in ex-President [Reuven Rivlin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuven_Rivlin "Reuven Rivlin")’s Israeli Hope initiative focusing on four aspects of Israeli society: Academia, Education, Sports and Employment.[\[8\]](#cite_note-8)

## Tsofen-Tashbik's theory of change

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsofen-Tashbik&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Tsofen-Tashbik's theory of change")\]

By supporting the integration of Arab engineers in Israel’s hi-tech industry, Tsofen-Tashbik aims to influence a deep institutional effect on the industry’s make-up and culture, towards a wider impact: (a) As the Arab community contributes a greater share to Israel’s economic growth, it will also enjoy its benefits more equally, improving the socio-economic status of the Arab community and reducing disparities, and (b) Arabs and Jews can develop a shared society, beginning in the technological work-space, where daily work interactions and relationships are developed that change prejudice, stereotypes and biases.

## Tsofen-Tashbik's model

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsofen-Tashbik&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Tsofen-Tashbik's model")\]

-   Nurturing human talent in Arab society by exposing Arab students to hi-tech, providing applied technological training to academic students and graduates, and building networks for Arab hi-tech professionals, in cooperation with leading hi-tech firms.
-   Changing the hi-tech industry landscape by placing thousands of Arab engineers in jobs, by working with hi-tech firms to make recruitment and hiring policies more inclusive, and by bringing hi-tech businesses to Arab cities.
-   Changing national policies and priorities by ‘mainstreaming’ its programs within the government, academia, and business sectors.

## Key Tsofen-Tashbik accomplishments and impact 2008–2025

\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsofen-Tashbik&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Key Tsofen-Tashbik accomplishments and impact 2008–2025")\]

-   Tsofen-Tashbik has placed a quarter of the 16,000 Arab hi-tech employees in Israel today (there were only 350 Arabs in hi-tech when Tsofen-Tashbik was founded), contributing billions to Israel’s GDP annually.
-   Exposing more than 15,000 Arab high school students to the hi-tech industry and opening to them the option of a hi-tech career. The program was discontinued when it was mainstreamed in the school system.
-   One hundred industry exposure workshops for thousands of college and university students studying for hi-tech relevant degrees, introducing them to the possibilities of a career in hi-tech.
-   More than 2,000 Arab undergraduate students and recent graduates completed 80 applied technological courses.
-   12 management development courses for around 300 candidates with limited industry experience.
-   1,864 candidates received mentoring from Jewish or Arab industry veterans; many mentees return to volunteer as mentors for their successors.
-   Annual career fairs exposing thousands of students and recent graduates to hundreds of companies recruiting Arab engineers.
-   Between 2007 and 2022, Tsofen-Tashbik facilitated the opening of over 50 companies, branches and projects in Nazareth, of the 80 or so that operate there today, including [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft "Microsoft"), [Amdocs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdocs "Amdocs"), [Broadcom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcom "Broadcom"), Alpha Omega, Galil Software, [SalesForce](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salesforce.com "Salesforce.com"). This increased the number of hi-tech engineers working in the city from 35 in 2008 to some 1,300 by 2022, of which four-fifths were Arabs, and 26% women.
-   Tsofen's 5-year Plan for hi-tech and innovation in Arab society, developed with the [National Arab Local Councils Committee in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Follow-Up_Committee_for_Arab_Citizens_of_Israel "High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel"), was incorporated fully into government resolution 550, fully budgeted and confirmed by the [Knesset](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knesset "Knesset") in November 2021.
-   Tsofen-Tashbik reports that their work is at great risk with delays in Israeli government funding from 2024 and President Trump's [review of foreign assistance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14169 "Executive Order 14169") in 2025.[\[9\]](#cite_note-9)

-   2012: Sami Saadi (Founding CEO) named in [The Marker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marker "The Marker") 100 Most Influential List[\[10\]](#cite_note-10)
-   2015: Speaker of the [Knesset (Israel's parliament)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knesset "Knesset") [Quality of Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_life "Quality of life") prize for promoting mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs[\[11\]](#cite_note-11)
-   2017: Sami Saadi (Founding CEO) named in [Calcalist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcalist "Calcalist") 100 Most Influential List
-   2018: [Abraham Fund Initiatives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Fund_Initiatives "Abraham Fund Initiatives") Shared Society Award[\[12\]](#cite_note-12)
-   2018: Walaa Ibrahim, Tsofen's Head of Human Capital Development, was named by The Marker as one of 21 Women Changing the Face of Israeli Hi-Tech[\[13\]](#cite_note-13)
-   2019: Prof Ziyad Hanna (Co-Chair of Tosfen’s Public Council) named in The Marker 100 Most Influential List[\[14\]](#cite_note-14)
-   2021: Tsofen chosen as semi-finalist #15 in the iValues: Rethink Politics in the MENA Region Awards for its 5-Year Policy Plan for Advancement of Hi-Tech in Israel's Arab Society.
-   2021: Sami Saadi (Founding & Retiring CEO) and David (Dadi) Perlmutter (Co-Chair of Tsofen’s Public Council) awarded Honorary Fellowships from Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering.[\[15\]](#cite_note-15)[\[16\]](#cite_note-16)[\[17\]](#cite_note-17)

1.  [↑](#cite_ref-1) ["Guidestar Israel website"](https://www.guidestar.org.il/search-malkars/514003177). Retrieved May 5, 2025.
2.  [↑](#cite_ref-2) ["עושים כבוד לסאמי סעדי מארגון צופן"](https://www.pc.co.il/kehila/364313/). _People&Computers (Hebrew)_. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
3.  [↑](#cite_ref-3) ["Tsofen LinkedIn"](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tsofen_farewell-message-from-tsofens-co-founder-activity-6905111566770151424-wSiE/). _LinkedIn_. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
4.  [↑](#cite_ref-4) ["Tsofen Organization appoints Maisam Jaljuli as its new co-CEO"](https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/s1ukm1jo5). _Calcalist Tech_. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
5.  [↑](#cite_ref-5) ["Tsofen website"](http://www.tsofen.org/). _Tsofen High Technology Centers_. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
6.  [↑](#cite_ref-6) ["Arab Citizens' Integration into Israeli High-Tech: Achievements and Emerging Issues"](http://www.iataskforce.org/sites/default/files/resource/resource-1630.pdf) (PDF). Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues. August 1, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
7.  [↑](#cite_ref-7) ["Human Capital Survey Report 2018"](https://innovationisrael.org.il/sites/default/files/SNC_2018_Human_Capital_Report_Final_0.pdf) (PDF). _Israel Innovation Authority_. Israel Innovation Authority/Start-Up Nation Central. December 16, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
8.  [↑](#cite_ref-8) ["Co-Impact"](https://co-impact.org.il/?lang=en). _co-impact.org.il_. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200804193719/https://co-impact.org.il/?lang=en) from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
9.  [↑](#cite_ref-9) ["Trump's pen cut deep: How a single order derailed Arab tech progress in Israel"](https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/wu3fc0hec). Retrieved May 5, 2025.
10.  [↑](#cite_ref-10) ["Israel's 100 Most Influential People This Jewish Year / The Full List"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002607/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/israel-s-100-most-influential-people-this-jewish-year-the-full-list-1.5163470). _Haaretz_. The Marker. September 16, 2012. Archived from [the original](https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/israel-s-100-most-influential-people-this-jewish-year-the-full-list-1.5163470) on June 18, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
11.  [↑](#cite_ref-11) ["Knesset Speakers' Quality of Life Prize awarded to three NGOs; Edelstein: "You are the true leaders of Israeli society""](https://m.knesset.gov.il/EN/News/PressReleases/pages/Pr11938_pg.aspx). _Knesset_. Knesset Press Release. February 9, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
12.  [↑](#cite_ref-12) ["Facebook announcement (Hebrew)"](https://www.facebook.com/abrahamfund.org/posts/1798674383592980). _Facebook_. Abraham Fund Initiatives. November 13, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
13.  [↑](#cite_ref-13) ["ואלאא איברהים: משלבת מאות אקדמאים ערבים במשרות פיתוח"](https://www.themarker.com/themarker-women/1.6406489). _TheMarker_. TheMarker Women. September 2, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
14.  [↑](#cite_ref-14) ["100 המשפיעים"](https://www.themarker.com/magazine/EXT-INTERACTIVE-1.8195518). _TheMarker_. TheMarker. December 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
15.  [↑](#cite_ref-15) ["דבריו של המנכ״ל השותף בארגון צופן - סאמי סעדי בטקס הענקת התארים של מכללת אפקה (English subtitles)"](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=448381376789269&extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing). _Facebook_. Tsofen. December 28, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
16.  [↑](#cite_ref-16) ["הלאונג' (Hebrew)"](https://tmi.maariv.co.il/the-lounge/Article-886414). _Maariv_. Maariv. December 27, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
17.  [↑](#cite_ref-17) ["הייטק צפוני (Hebrew)"](https://finance.walla.co.il/item/3479224). _Walla!_. Walla!. December 27, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2022.

-   [Official website](http://www.tsofen.org/)
-   [Video shown at Tsofen's 15th Anniversary Conference in 2023, highlighting its achievements](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZBfBRunlII)
-   [Excerpt from Holy Land – Start-Up Nations: Tsofen’s Co-CEOs’ Insights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLB0lQVCPaw&feature=youtu.be)
-   [‘Cracking the Code’ on Strategy, Times of Israel, 4 March 2019](https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/cracking-the-code-on-strategy/)
-   [Tsofen on Guidestar Israel](https://www.guidestar.org.il/organization/514003177)