COHORTS

The Joe Alon Connection Program opened in 2019.  

In the first cohort, two schools participated: Orr - Branco Weiss, Tzur Hadassah and Masarykovo Gymnázium, Příbor in the Czech Republic. 

In the second cohort (2020-2021), despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, the program grew, with the participation of two schools from the first cohort, and anotherpair of schools from both countries. The curriculum was updated and adapted to the limitations, and included virtual tours of the students' communities and homes. 

In the third and fourth cohorts (2021-2023), the program grew even more, with six schools participating. Three in Israel: Orr - Branco Weiss, Tzur Hadassah; Branco Weiss Rabin, Mazkeret Batya; and Branco Weiss Meitarim, Metar. The three schools in the Czech Republic were: Masarykovo Gymnázium, Příbor; Gymnázium Dobruška; and Gymnázium Boskovice.   

In the fifth cohort (2023-2024), 10 schools were supposed to participate. The war that broke out in Israel on October 7th, 2023, the program continued but was modified.

The sixth cohort (2024–2025) included six schools - three from each country. Although the Czech participants did not travel to Israel, students from one Israeli school visited the Czech Republic, where they were able to enjoy and learn until they were brought back to Israel in June 2025 on an emergency evacuation flight from Prague.

The seventh cohort (2025–2026) was designed in accordance with the security situation and includes tours and workshops in Israel for Israeli students only. The guided visits take place at Beit Theresienstadt, the Israeli Air Force Museum in Hatzerim, the Joe Alon Center, and the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.

The workshop is conducted in connection with the exhibition: “I Want to Be Human – Arnošt Lustig’s Message to the Stars and to Us.”