(haipo) – The groundbreaking center established in the heart of Usfiya: On an exciting and well-attended evening, the first innovative center in Israel for technological entrepreneurship in the Druze community opened in Uspia (the meaning of the name in translation: Mountain of the Winds).
The center, named after the spiritual leader of the Druze community, Sheikh Amin Tarif, seeks to be a bridge between Druze society and the Israeli high-tech world. This is a significant milestone for young men and women from the community who wish to integrate into Israel's advanced industries.
The vision behind the initiative – to open doors and create a promising future path for young Druze – was given tangible expression on the launch evening, which was held on the evening of Monday, May 5, 2025, in the presence of senior figures from the business, security, and political worlds of the State of Israel.
The initiative born from the vision of Captain Halabi
The person behind the impressive venture is Koftan Halabi, an entrepreneur and social leader who founded DTEC SKILLS LAB – the first Druze high-tech center. Halabi, who believes in the power of education, innovation and technology to change reality, managed to attract strategic partners such as Rad Bynet Communications, which joined the initiative with the aim of strengthening the connection between the Druze community and the heart of Israeli industry.
The center in Usfiya is designed to provide young men and women from the community with practical tools, high-level technological training, and a direct connection to jobs, ventures, and initiatives in local and global high-tech.
For Halabi, this is not just a technological project, but a profound cultural and educational mission, combining the roots of the Druze community with a futuristic vision of prosperity and growth.
Ceremony to award the Yakir Eda to Dr. Miriam Adelson
At the center of the festive ceremony, which was held in a warm and respectful atmosphere, was a particularly moving moment - the awarding of the Druze Community's Distinguished Service Medal to Dr. Miriam Adelson. The medal, which was awarded as a token of appreciation for her many years of contribution to Israeli society and to strengthening the bond between different communities in the country, expresses the great esteem accorded to Dr. Adelson by the leaders of the younger and older generations of Druze society.
Her presence at the event was symbolic and moving, and she received enthusiastic applause from the general audience, who saw her as a true partner in building bridges of equality, hope, and cooperation. The award was presented to her during an official and dignified ceremony held on the stage of the new center, in front of hundreds of participants.
Key figures from Israeli society came to congratulate
The event in Uspia was a community celebration – and even became an impressive show of support from all of Israeli society. The first to congratulate was Yitzhak Herzog, President of the State of Israel, who sent a moving, filmed and recorded greeting.
After him, among those who came to bless him was Sheikh Muwafeq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community, who welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that the new center would serve as an example for other parts of Israeli society.
Alongside him were senior figures such as former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who spoke about the state's commitment to integrating the Jewish community in all areas of life, including in the fields of innovation and high-tech.
Also participating in the event were Dr. Danny Gold - developer of the Iron Dome system, who noted the importance of integrating diverse populations into Israel's security and technological system; Dr. Shlomo Gerdman - Chairman of the High-Tech CEO Forum, who emphasized the critical role of the center in promoting new talent; Prof. Nava Zisapel - one of the owners of "Bynet Communications", which was behind the support for the project; and Dov Moran - inventor of the disk on key, who praised the combination of heritage and innovation, as well as Prof. (retd.) Brigadier General Tarif Bader, Professor Boaz Golani, Hagai Resnik and Ayelet Axelrod-Balin.
Ceremony host: Danny Kushmaro and a general sense of celebration
The entire evening was hosted by the well-known and beloved television personality Danny Kushmero, who managed to move those present with his pleasant voice and precise words. Kushmero, who often spoke about the connection between personal, national and technological identity, outlined throughout the evening the potential inherent in collaboration between sectors.
With his presence, the event became not just a ceremony but an exciting television moment that resonated beyond the walls of the new center. With his understated journalistic style, he managed to combine moments of national pride with personal moments of excitement.
A vision that combines technology, education, and community identity
The center inaugurated in Usfiya is much more than a building or a business initiative – it is an expression of a broad and comprehensive vision. The combination of advanced technology with community education and personal empowerment makes the place a breeding ground for new leadership in the Druze community.
In recent years, the demand for high-quality, genuine, and equitable integration of minorities in the high-tech industries has increased, and the center in Uspia provides a direct response to this. Moreover, it is intended to serve as a model for action – an initiative that begins in one community but may spread to other communities across the country.
Although the center is physically located in Usfiya, its contents and aspirations go far beyond that – it is a platform for employment, education, mentoring, and entrepreneurship, which connects directly to Israel's national needs and the Israeli high-tech spirit, which seeks to break through both geographical and social boundaries.
An initiative that recognizes the Druze soldier's contribution to the state
The fact that the center is named after the late Sheikh Amin Tarif – the most senior spiritual figure in the history of the Druze community – is no coincidence. It is an act of recognition of the honor, tradition, and history of the community, and especially the extraordinary contribution of the Druze soldier to the Israeli security system.
Against the backdrop of the mandatory military service of the community, the new center takes on an additional dimension: not only an investment in the future but also an appreciation for the past.
The name of the center – “The New Center for the Druze Soldier” – is a clear, unambiguous statement, combining past, present and future. It is not only an economic investment – but also a moral and ethical investment, which seeks to say thank you and build an infrastructure for the future of deep and genuine partnership between all parts of Israeli society.
A platform for both personal and collective fulfillment
The event held in Usfiya is the beginning of a process. This is not a one-time event or a public relations venture – but a deep, substantial project that is expected to fundamentally change the face of Druze society. The center seeks to enable every young Druze man and woman to fulfill their professional and personal dreams – while remaining connected to their cultural and religious identity.
In this way, the new center becomes both a technological tool and a platform for empowerment – for young people and women, for entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey, and for anyone who believes in integration, partnership, and progress. This is a social, cultural, and technological message that expresses the hope for a shared future where innovation meets tradition, and education meets inspiration.
I tend to agree with the village resident's words. It's clear to me that his words come from a place of pain, frustration, and disappointment at seeing that the village has a sizeable minority population, as he mentioned, who are not integrated into anything, and there is no one at all to take care of them or represent them at the aforementioned conferences.
Unfortunately, there is no Christian/Muslim clergyman or member of Knesset, not even one, whose top priority is the integration of minorities in everything related to their integration into high-tech, renewal, entrepreneurship, etc.
There are no complaints to the editor of the article or to the website itself about the lack of coverage of events and happenings of the minority in the village, the only complaint is how well-known public figures within the village create division and division just because of differences in religion. Let's say I'm a Muslim and there's no one to represent me or care for me, so I don't deserve opportunities for integration and advancement????
In any case, this is the current situation, unfortunately, it is no wonder that almost no Christians or Muslims integrate into high-tech or Israeli industry. And it is a shame….
What is disturbing is the fact that in addition to the Druze who live in the village, there are no fewer than 2000 members of the Christian and Muslim communities who also share the Isfahan landscape with the Druze.
It is heartbreaking to see the division, racism, and pushing other religions aside as if they do not exist and are not equal to those opportunities for progress and renewal.
When a person is called a public figure, as his name suggests, his role is to act for the benefit of the entire public, and it does not matter to which denomination he belongs.
You raised a falsehood of such magnitude, and only mentioned Druze Druze, I asked, did you bother to invite a Christian or Muslim cleric, or a businessman from the minority??? Like Imad Talhami??
Dear 'villager',
Despite your words and your complaint – it's a shame you don't appear with your full name so that the public representatives in your village can next time take care of you and invite you to events that you only attend as a "show".
De Aka – It is not the job of the press to invite you and you should contact the elected officials in your village.
What the press does do is cover the events themselves.
Furthermore, "The News Corporation Lives Here" has previously published praise and glorification for the Christian population in your area.
Please see the articles:
https://haipo.co.il/item/349320
About: St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery and the Church of St. Charbel in Uspia ○ View
also:
https://haipo.co.il/item/351164
The Greek-Catholic Melkite Church in Usafia ○ Watch
Read and be proud of your heritage.
This is a ceremony of the Center for the Advancement of the Druze Soldier, what does it have to do with Christians or Muslims?
Congratulations on that. Finally sharing.
The Druze brothers in high tech.
Hope for more projects.
Good news.
Thank you, Shlomit, for your response.
May we indeed hear more good news.
Wow
A kilometer long article
We love our Druze brothers.
To the well-being of the people,
Indeed – a long article, as befits respect, for the initiative, status, and execution of these fine programs.
Indeed – we love our Druze brothers, their success is our success together.
May we only know good days.
First, the name of the village is Isfia/Isfia, according to the locals.
The phrase is Aramaic and consists of two words: "Ein Shafia"
Like "Bisan" Beit Shean.
The translation of the name is the clear spring (Shafi' from the word sane).
I think that no matter how they pronounce Isafia, Asafia, Isafia, Isafia – there will always be someone who will come and say that the name is incorrect and should be written or pronounced differently. Every event and lecture about Isafia, someone immediately corrects that it is Isafia and someone after them says that it is Isafia.