Co-sponsored by TBZ
Communities Under Siege
A Panel with Protective Presence Activists Or Sivan, Maya Mark, and Roei Kleitman
Monday, June 8, 2026
7:30 PM
Temple Israel of Boston
477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02215
NIF is bringing a delegation of Israeli activists engaged in protective presence work to Boston. They will bear witness to the alarming surge in settler violence, and highlight the crucial role they play in responding to it.
Join us to hear their stories, learn about their vital work, and find out how you can be part of the effort to protect Palestinian communities and hold settlers accountable.
About Protective Presence
Protective presence is a nonviolent strategy in which volunteers accompany Palestinian civilians in their daily activities – physically blocking, deterring, and documenting settler and military violence and harassment. A critical resource for activists before October 7, it is now one of the few remaining areas of cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians. In the course of this work, many are exposed to trauma and some have been attacked.
SPEAKERS
Or Sivan is a Tel Aviv-based activist and educator who has dedicated herself to protective presence work in the Jordan Valley and the Jerusalem area since October 7th. A Mizrahi woman whose father immigrated from Morocco, Or draws a direct line between the historical racism faced by Arab Jews and the current realities of Palestinians in the West Bank. With a background in education and dance from Kibbutzim College, she utilizes her position to stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities in Areas B and C, viewing her presence as a refusal to accept a status quo of fear and separation. By crossing physical and social divides, Or works to build bridges of friendship and prove that partners for peace exist.
Roei Kleitman is an educator, historian, and activist dedicated to fostering religious-humanistic discourse in Israel. He is the founder of HaMidrasha HaEmunit, a community program that empowers young adults to bridge their faith with political responsibility. A graduate of Otniel Yeshiva with an MA in History, he is also a leading voice in HaSmol HaEmuni (The Faithful Left) and Bnei Avraham (Children of Abraham). In this capacity, Roei leads protective presence initiatives, providing on-the-ground solidarity for vulnerable communities. Based in Jerusalem, Roei combines his research in urban geography with digital storytelling to advocate for a more just and inclusive society.
Maya Mark leads the New Israel Fund’s support and protection program for West Bank activists, strengthening the safety and resilience of those engaged in protective presence work. Based in Haifa, she brings years of field experience accompanying Palestinian communities under threat. A linguist and educator, Maya co-founded a specialized Arabic language program for Israeli activists based in Masafer Yatta, which has trained over 60 graduates to communicate effectively and build deeper relationships with local residents. By combining pedagogical expertise with grassroots activism, she has created a vital entry point for long-term, sustainable human rights work.