The Israel Story Fellowship
The Israel Story Fellows
Over time, the program has brought together a diverse group of participants spanning different ages, professions, and geographic backgrounds. Fellows have included individuals from Metulla in Israel’s north to communities in the Negev, regions that continue to rebuild in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. Collectively, the Fellows reflect the breadth of Israel’s ethnic, cultural, and social mosaic.
Their personal experiences form a grounded portrait of Israeli society at a moment of profound strain, shaped by loss and disruption, but also by resilience, responsibility, and social renewal. Rather than abstract narratives, the program is rooted in lived experience.
Through the perspectives of its Fellows, the program sheds light on a broader Israeli story: one of rebuilding damaged communities, repairing fractured relationships, and re-engaging with the world through human connection rather than political messaging.
Program Rationale
The approach guiding this program is grounded in evidence-based research, informed by academic work at the forefront of strategic communication and public opinion analysis. These studies point to the effectiveness of narratives built around compassion, hope, and personal growth rather than those cantered on victimhood or the display of military strength. The aim is not to simplify or soften reality, but to elevate voices that offer authenticity and credibility.
Composed of both scholars and practitioners with backgrounds in public diplomacy, television news, marketing, narrative development, and related fields, our group of guest-speakers and instructors brings practical expertise and a grounded understanding of audience engagement across platforms.
Sessions combined conceptual framing with practical exercises, enabling fellows to explore the use of storytelling in public communication. During workshops, instructors provided individual feedback and guidance as participants developed their own narratives and communication tools.
The program also included in-studio TV simulations, allowing fellows to practice a range of media appearances, including social media presentation, self-filmed segments, and interview training for broadcast news.
The Israel Story Fellows in action speaking to the international news media
The Israel Story Fellowship aims empower select Israelis to share authentic, civilian centered narratives with international audiences through focused training in storytelling and public engagement. The Fellowship cultivates a cohort of effective storytellers who can communicate their personal stories, which together form the Israel Story, with human depth, nuance and empathy.
In an era marked by increasing anti-Israel sentiment, when traditional Israeli messaging is often met with skepticism and rejection, new and creative approaches to delivering credible, impactful messages have become more necessary than ever. Moreover, in these difficult times, civil society can play an important role, rebuilding trust, developing new connections, and reaching out to diverse audiences. Rather than relying on conventional “talking heads” and typical diplomatic “hasbara” efforts, we emphasize the “public” in “public diplomacy”, where real people build real relationships over time, with the agility to respond even in moments of crisis.
