Lissan–ליסאן–لسان (Arabic for “language” or “tongue”) has been advancing social and gender justice in Jerusalem for over a decade by teaching Hebrew to East Jerusalemite Palestinian women, enabling them to navigate the city’s services and public sphere with greater agency and confidence.
Lissan’s courses open doors to rights, resources, and opportunities, including access to higher education and employment, while our teaching methods and materials strengthen students’ voices and deepen their sense of belonging.
ליסאן
لسان
Lissan
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“I walked out of the store with nothing. That’s when I knew I had to learn Hebrew…Now I’m no longer afraid to leave the house. I can shop, take my kids anywhere, and I feel confident.”
- Enas Sob Laban, advanced student
Last year, Lissan had:
3,500+
Alumni
5,130
Class Hours
50
Classes
85
Teachers
(mostly volunteers)
740
Students
Our Projects
Lissan’s flagship program, providing East Jerusalem Palestinian women with everyday language tools through a community-based learning model.
Expanding Hebrew language education through community and professional partnerships
From the classroom back to the community: women accessing their rights and supporting their families
From Hebrew to career: professional guidance for women at the start of their employment journey
