Reinvigorating Jewish Life Across the Globe

Featuring: Aharon Ariel Lavi, Founder and Executive Director
“What communities give to people is invaluable…they give a sense of belonging, sense of friendship, and of support and of identity. It’s something that is at the core of our lives,” explains Aharon Ariel Lavi when sharing his passionate journey toward working with and supporting intentional communities.

Founded in 2014, Hakhel is the first and largest global incubator for Jewish intentional communities. Its mission is to spark and support new expressions of Jewish life in the Diaspora by nurturing the growth of intentional communities.  Aharon Ariel Lavi, founder and executive director, says Hakhel’s vision is to give every young Jew in the world an opportunity to be a part of an active Jewish community, step away from loneliness and be part of something bigger.  Hakhel amplifies and strengthens new expressions of Jewish community life.

A  Jewish intentional community share three main principals space, time and mission/vision. They are formed to create a sense of belonging. An intentional community is for those who seek for intimacy through connection to a group that isn’t complicated  by bureaucracy or hierarchy. These communities intend to create partnerships with  people that share core values and opportunities to work for a common good. Although an intentional community may use social media, social media does not replace real life encounters. Most communities  gather in person at least once per month to fulfill their shared mission. 

Aharon Ariel Lavi shares his personal journey toward living in and working with intentional communities. He’s been  involved in youth communities from the time he was a boy. In 2011, after a lifetime of activity in various communities, Aharon founded Makom Pioneers. Makom Pioneers is  an umbrella organization for 260 intentional communities in Israel. Makom Community Pioneers are made of young, creative and idealistic people from all sectors of Israeli society; working, living and leading local and regional social innovative initiatives throughout Israel. After attending a Jewish intentional community conference lead by Hazon in 2013, Aharon recognized an opportunity to work with Israeli diaspora relationships. This awareness led him to create Hakhel in 2014.  Hakhel launched globally  in 2017, under the umbrella of Hazon. As the Jewish lab for sustainability, Hazon is building a movement that strengthens Jewish life and contributes to a more environmentally sustainable world for all.

Hakhel operates in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, which works to strengthen Jewish life in the Diaspora and its connection to Israel. While the world is transitioning from hierarchical and centralist structures to networks and shared economies, Hakhel is on the forefront of implementing a spirit of innovation in Jewish life.

Hakhel empowers community building from the grassroots. They seek out partners all over the world and bring them together to share, teach, and inspire each other. Each community is set up with a professional advisor and is invited to a learning trip in Israel, an international annual conference and offered many other opportun