Tabeetha: An Uncommon School for a Shared Society
- Caroline Haïat
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
In the heart of the city of Jaffa, Israel, Tabeetha School stands as a rare and remarkable sanctuary of peace. Established over 160 years ago by the Church of Scotland, it remains the only school of its kind in Israel. Here, students from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other backgrounds come together each day not just to learn, but to build bridges between cultures in a spirit of mutual respect and community.
This summer, Tabeetha School in Jaffa is launching an exceptional campaign: "Hope at Every Desk," aiming to raise £20,000 to equip every classroom with essential materials for the new school year. What’s at stake isn’t just textbooks—it’s dignity, confidence, and the belief that every student matters.
"Tabeetha taught me to look beyond prejudice and to appreciate people for who they truly are. What we experience at school—kindness, respect, and unity—stands in stark contrast to the conflict outside. Tabeetha is a community that truly shows what it means to live together in peace," says Yousef, a student.
Founded in 1863 by Jane Walker-Arnott, a committed Scottish woman, the school was originally created to provide education for girls in Jaffa, regardless of their religion, in a context of poverty and oppression. From the very beginning, it welcomed Christian, Jewish, and Muslim students. Today, Tabeetha is an international, English-language school following the British curriculum and preparing students for IGCSE, GCSE, and A-level exams. It serves around 330 students from more than 40 different nationalities, with 80% local students and 20% international. The school is apolitical and emphasizes peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and mutual respect. Students celebrate a variety of religious holidays together, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Eid al-Adha.
"What makes Tabeetha unique is its inclusive philosophy. Diversity is celebrated, and everyone is free to be who they are. The school’s values are inspired by the Christian ethos of the Church of Scotland—hope, love, and justice for all. But you don’t have to be Christian to attend. The idea is that these values are good for everyone, no matter their religion. It’s a genuine belief in a shared society," explains Kate Freedman, Development Officer.
Weekly assemblies bring the entire school together in one room. A teacher—or sometimes a class—takes the stage to speak on a theme such as “love for all” or “don’t judge a book by its cover,” used metaphorically to encourage not judging people by appearances.
"Tabeetha is more than a school—it’s a real peace project. Its very existence creates the conditions for mutual understanding and lasting security," says Per Egil Selvaag, Norwegian Ambassador to Israel and former Tabeetha student.
Building Bridges Across Cultures and Religions
Students learn to overcome cultural and religious divides through shared activities: gardening together, planting seeds, decorating pots, playing football, or participating in collaborative projects. These activities are not explicitly religious or political, but they help normalize difference. Language learning also plays a key role. For older students, these relationships sometimes evolve into deep friendships between Jewish and Arab students—still rare and often misunderstood in Israeli society.
"When difficult events occur—like war—the school addresses sensitive topics more directly. There’s an educational programme called PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education), where lessons are built around ideas like ‘we’re all different, but we’re all the same’," says Kate.
Tabeetha’s model is often met with surprise or curiosity by outsiders. Few people fully understand it, as schools that are truly shared between communities are extremely rare in Israel.
Tabeetha’s model is often met with surprise or curiosity by outsiders. Few people fully understand it, as schools that are truly shared between communities are extremely rare in Israel.
The goal of the "Hope at Every Desk" campaign is to raise funds to purchase essential classroom supplies. A minimum of £7,000–£8,000 is urgently needed. The school’s financial situation has been deeply affected by the war. International students, who make up 20% of enrollment, pay higher tuition fees, which help subsidize local students. However, a decline in international enrollment has undermined the school’s financial stability. Tabeetha now needs support to start the school year strong and ensure every child has what they need to learn.
To help spread the word, the school relies on “champions” of the campaign—people close to Tabeetha who share the fundraising appeal within their networks. They also hope for media coverage, because, as Kate says, “everyone needs to hear a story that brings hope.”
Before the war, the school had planned a campaign to renovate its buildings. A group called Families in Position had been created to support long-term initiatives. But today, the priority is addressing immediate needs: essential supplies, offsetting the drop in international students, and maintaining open access for all.
How to Help?
£10 provides 82 pencils or 7 writing notebooks
£100 can purchase 68 writing notebooks or 32 whiteboards
£250 can supply whiteboard markers for all teachers or textbooks for an entire class
£400 covers the cost of all math notebooks for the school
£1,500 equips a full classroom for the entire school year
"Every contribution, no matter the size, is a gesture of belonging to this vision of a fairer, more united world. Even 50 or 80 shekels is a sign of support for a school that has been building the future for 160 years—and hopes to continue for the next 160," Kate concluded.
To participate in donations : https://donorbox.org/hope-at-every-desk
Caroline Haïat
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