kulna Jerusalem
Together we create Jerusalem for all of us
Connecting people, communities and ideas to promote shared life
and to build an equal, connected and better Jerusalem.
About us all
Kolana Jerusalem is a Jewish-Arab association that works to promote a common society in Jerusalem, while connecting communities from the east and west of the city and reducing social and community gaps. We do this through culture, sports, education, community development and civic initiatives that give residents tools, opportunities and influence on their living environment.
The association was founded in 2016 by residents from East and West Jerusalem, believing that real change in the city grows when people from different communities meet, get to know each other and work together for a common future. We create opportunities for Jews and Arabs to meet through culture, education, community and neighborhood initiatives, and at the same time accompany residents who wish to influence their environment and promote solutions to local challenges.
Our activity combines building trust and connections between communities alongside developing civil leadership and leading change on the ground. Over the years, the association initiated and accompanied hundreds of events, programs and community initiatives that brought together thousands of residents from all parts of the city. Through a wide network of partners, activists and communities, Kolana works to transform Jerusalem into a city where diversity is a source of resilience, and familiarity leads to cooperation and influence.
The goals of the association
Promoting spaces for shared life
To bring together Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem on cultural and social platforms, which is an important goal in itself.
Leading leadership and social entrepreneurship programs
Building a broad community and creating significant collaborations with municipal parties to lead change from institutions and social initiatives from the field.
Reducing gaps in East Jerusalem and community assistance
Actions to improve the situation in the eastern neighborhoods of the city with an emphasis on access to resources and provision of services, while harnessing the municipal authorities.
our team
The staff of Kolana Jerusalem is the unique and main asset of the association.
It is based on friendship, familiarity and partnership of many years between the members of the association who work together and separately in various fields of activity in the city: education, welfare, social and business entrepreneurship, religion and culture.
The association's members all live and work in Jerusalem, they are connected to the city and its residents, are well aware of the complexities and challenges that Jerusalem faces and are committed to the success of the communities in the east and west of the city where they live and work.
The meaning of the name Kolna is Jerusalem
The name "Kolna Yerushalayim" combines the Arabic language with Hebrew. All of us = all of us (in Arabic: كلنا مقدسيون). It distills our deep ambition to create an honest and true civil partnership between the residents of the east and west of the city and to give a place of respect to both languages. We believe that the fascinating human diversity of Jerusalem is its beating heart.
In memory of the late Zaki Jamal
The late Zaki Jamal was one of the initiators and founders of the Kolana Jerusalem association, and also served as chairman of the association. He died suddenly of a heart attack, leaving behind deep pain and a great sense of loss among all who knew and worked alongside him.
Zaki was an extraordinary person in the human and social landscape in which he operated - a rare combination of sharp thinking, creativity, courage and the ability to see far and turn great ideas into reality. At the same time, he had a large heart and uncompromising generosity, which radiated to everyone who came in contact with him. He believed in the power of people, in partnerships and the ability to change reality, and always acted out of a true passion for social action and connecting worlds.
After completing his studies at Harvard, he returned to Jerusalem, his hometown, and joined his friends in establishing Kolana, and was one of the main forces that led its development. Alongside his social activities, he founded and managed the venture capital fund FreshFund, which worked to invest in innovative initiatives of students and young entrepreneurs, and also led significant aid activities in disaster-stricken areas around the world. In every field in which he worked, he stood out with a quiet but overwhelming charisma, a rare ability to express himself and a sharp strategic thinking, which allowed him to open doors, connect people and tell the story of all of us in Jerusalem and beyond.
Despite his great humility, it was clear to everyone who met him that he was a man larger than life, one who could move mountains, but always remained with his feet on the ground, close to people and at eye level. Zaki's contribution to all of us and to Jerusalem will be engraved forever and we will continue to walk the same path he paved and believed in until his last day. May his memory be blessed.
Copyright: SHLOMi yoSef
The consulate of Kolna
One of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in the city is the consulate of Kolna in the Abu Tor neighborhood.
The building has a fascinating and diverse history when, among other things, it was used at the beginning of the last century as the Iranian consulate and now it is used as the house of Kolna, a consulate of people and not a consulate of countries.
The location of the consulate, on the seam between east and west allows a common audience to easily reach from all parts of the city and feel comfortable. During the last Ramadan we held five spectacular iftar events on the roof.
To read more about the structure of the consulate:
Looking for a special place for a boutique event, workshop or study day in Jerusalem?
The Kolna consulate offers a unique hospitality space in an extraordinary Jerusalem atmosphere, which includes a designed interior space and an open roof overlooking a spectacular Jerusalem view. The place is available for rent for private events and organizations and enables meeting, creating and thinking in a magical and inspiring space.
Income from the rental of the place is dedicated to the association's activities.
Milestones in the journey of Kolna Jerusalem
Just sing
how it all started
It all started in 2011 with a group of friends from East and West Jerusalem who met simply to sing together in Hebrew and Arabic alongside coffee and tea and mats and songs. These warm meetings grew and there were dozens of events throughout Jerusalem with a large selection of Jewish and Arab musicians. These singing sessions laid the foundations for the community connection that grew into the Kolana association.
Songs and songs
Connection through sports and music
The launch of the flagship project that brings together children and youth from the east and west of the city around sports and music. In the summer of 2018, we held a historic World Cup festival at the Jaffa Gate Square, which was turned into a festive soccer field.
President's Award for Volunteering
We won the award in recognition of extensive work for the residents of the eastern part of the city during the Corona period, with the aim of reducing gaps, bringing hearts together and promoting true partnership.
Mayor's decoration for volunteering
It was awarded to us by Mayor Moshe Leon in recognition of the association's unique contribution to strengthening the Jerusalem community and the mutual guarantee in the city.
driving real change in the field
When the professional tools meet the initiative of the residents
Kolna Jerusalem accompanies residents who wish to lead change in their environment. Through training, professional accompaniment and connection to key factors, we help turn local initiatives into actions that affect the public space and the daily lives of the residents.
Among the initiatives we support: the struggle of the residents of Jebel Mukhabar in Har HaZbal - to stop the dumping of hazardous waste in an open area near the neighborhood, with a vision to make it a safe and accessible space for the children of the community (For the full article on Ynet); and an initiative by Aya, a student from East Jerusalem who worked to promote the construction of a safe sidewalk on the way to the university, while creating cooperation between municipal and community bodies.
We believe that when a local initiative meets professional tools, support and partnership, it is possible to make a real change and build stronger, involved and more influential communities.
Our projects
Initiatives, culture, and shared life in Jerusalem
Frisbee on the seam
A communal and open frisbee group that brings together Jerusalemites from all parts of the city to play together.
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Double Jerusalem
A huge and traditional backgammon tournament that brings together hundreds of Jerusalemites around the game board and coffee.
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Coffee on the rail
A community cafe that connects neighborhoods and communities in Jerusalem.
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The bell garden forum
A common community space, inviting and safe for all residents of Jerusalem.
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Songs and songs
A historic football celebration at the foot of the old city walls to promote a common language.
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Tours in Jerusalem
Discovering Jerusalem through the feet - a live encounter with Jerusalem through stories, people and places.
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We are all kings
Studying and playing chess together - a meeting between students from the west and east of the city.
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Workers of justice
Raising awareness of accidents in the construction industry - an activity to increase enforcement and safety.
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Reducing disparities in East Jerusalem
Running youth clubs and classes, street cultural shows, assistance in exercising rights and providing food baskets.
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Baskets of hope
Every week we meet at Hartman High School to pack and distribute food to the residents of the city.
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Every Dachpin I will come and eat
Jerusalem solidarity around Passover - collecting donated sour cream products in the west of the city and distributing them in the east.
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Speaking from the field
A leadership program for young people in East Jerusalem - turning ideas into initiatives for the community.
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The congregation of all of us
A program for young men and women from East and West Jerusalem - discourse, community and shared life.
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We are all in education
Meetings and conversation at eye level - about complex reality, shared spaces and hope.
Read moreProject title
We are all in the media
Mynet // Hametz collection operation for Passover in the eastern part of the city
The residents of Pisgat Ze'ev in Jerusalem looked out the window at night and were amazed at what they saw
Voila // In the background of the walls of Jerusalem: Arabs and Jews held a unique football competition
First source // Jerusalem March: The six in the evening will bring more peace
Dozens of high school girls in Jerusalem held a memorial service for a slain laborer
The New York Times // In Jerusalem, Looking for Peace through Backgammon and Music
The Old City walls echoed with the clack-clack of a backgammon tournament as Israelis and Palestinians from all walks of life tried their luck
Haaretz // Palestinians and Israelis Confront Each Other Over Backgammon
Over 150 play in tournament organized by Jerusalem activists.