Progress. Young people are leading change.

A social-Zionist organization that leads thousands of young people to action in the field:
We establish student villages, communes, farms, and youth communities in border and peripheral settlements – from north to south.
Our young people volunteer, work, learn, and revitalize the area – strengthening community resilience, agriculture, and hope.

We believe in the power of young people to build a future – especially from the most distant places.

Personal background and early influences

Tira-El Cohen grew up in a family that immigrated from France to Israel as lone soldiers in the 1980s. She describes her parents’ heroic choice to leave Paris and settle in Israel – which inspired her and established the Zionist values she is built on to this day. Her personal choice to connect with the principles of Zionist settlement, along with the desire to bring about real social change, was the catalyst for founding the “Kedma” association at the age of 19.

Career and education

In the process of transitioning from being a student at the School of Journalism and Communication, Tira-El found the ideal combination of theory and practice – a decision that ultimately led her to continue her studies in the field of public policy at the Hebrew University. She integrates settlement theory and contributions to community resilience in her research and doctoral thesis, thereby enhancing the social and educational work of the "Kedma" association.

Vision and goals of the "Kedma" association

Tira-El founded "Kedma" with the goal of preserving and reviving the value of Zionist settlement in the 21st century. The organization's vision focuses on connecting young people with the settlements within the country's borders and in peripheral areas, while establishing fulfillment frameworks such as:

• Student Villages: Establishing communities where students live, study, and volunteer, thereby directly influencing the environment in which they live.

• Pre-military programs and cultural centers: Developing social and community skills that provide meaning and independence, to increase the resilience of communities in the periphery.

• Young communities: Establishing frameworks for the support and empowerment of young people, which express the commitment to the values of action, cooperation and social innovation.

Tira-El emphasizes that the goal is to give young people the tools not only to learn but also to embark on a practical journey, set goals in the real world, and be part of something big – an initiative that will help build a strong and secure future for the State of Israel.

Recognition and achievements

Tira-El Cohen has received much recognition for her entrepreneurial and social activities:

• Forbes 30 Under 30: She was selected for the list due to her innovative leadership and achievements in the field of social and community work.

• Keshet 12's Heroes of the Year Team: Further recognition for her contribution to strengthening communities in the periphery and empowering young people.

This recognition indicates that Tira-El Cohen's vision and practicality constitute an example and role model for the new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders in Israel.

A message and inspiration for the younger generation

Tira-El Cohen believes in the power of the younger generation to change social and economic realities, and emphasizes the importance of action, creativity, and flexibility in responding to the changing needs of society. She calls on students and community members to be active, to experience real action, and to integrate into projects that can bring tangible results, while maintaining Zionist values and the continuity of the national story.