Thank you for your partnership all these years
It is bittersweet to write to you for the last time as OneVoice’s CEO, an organization that I have been privileged to be a part of since 2014. I first joined OneVoice while living in the Middle East, splitting time between with our Palestinian and Israeli teams and offices.. It was that proximity that reinforced my belief in the power and potential of authentic, grassroots, locally-led movements to amplify the voices of those ready to lead and make change.
That belief has also sustained me in doing this work for nearly a decade and gives me great hope for the future of this movement. When I started as CEO, our regional partners were essentially ideas on paper. The local leaders of what would become Darkenu in Israel and Zimam in Palestine, respectively, each wanted to create something new, something fresh, something that didn’t exist within their own societies that would make a real difference.
In Israel, Darkenu helped create a new language and political (but importantly, non-partisan) identity, that of the moderate majority. I see so many seeds of the current protest movement in their work: an embrace of the country’s founding values of democracy, justice, and for equal representation before the law. Darkenu has long advocated for a government that is worthy of its people, one that is transparent, accountable, and tolerant of difference. Now 450,000+ Israelis strong and majority funded by Israelis, Darkenu has embraced the motto that features prominently in their headquarters: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
In the West Bank and Gaza, Zimam has created an “address” for moderate and progressive thinking and debate. They have helped tens of thousands of young Palestinians internalize what it means to be a citizen -- and how that manifests both personally and collectively -- values that can be seen on display in those Zimam-trained leaders holding local office. Zimam is now working to create the roadmap and civil society infrastructure for a Palestinian state that mirrors the values of its burgeoning youth population. I could not be prouder of what Zimam has become and am beyond inspired by how big and bold they are thinking.
OneVoice’s partners are each led by visionary, brilliant and values-driven individuals, Abdallah Hamarsheh of Zimam and Rachel Azaria of Darkenu, that I have loved working with and learning from -- and will continue to cheer on as I make my own transition.
OneVoice itself will be led by Will Schneider as Interim CEO, who is already part of our team and a wonderful colleague and friend. Will is working closely with the board to determine the next path forward for OneVoice, ensuring we are even more effectively supporting those leading change on the ground.
I want to thank you all for your support and partnership over the last several years as we have helped amplify the voices of both Israeli and Palestinian moderates, co-creating new platforms and fantastic initiatives like DemocraTV, and inspiring so many to join us in changing the status quo.
Change is hard. Change takes time. Change is possible -- but only when we make it so.
With gratitude,
Mara
Mara Lee
OneVoice CEO