Reuven Gal

Reuven Gal
Senior Research Fellow, Head of the 'Ultra-Orthodox Integration Project', Social & Resilience Studies
972-4-8292157
972-4-8292157
reuvgal@sni.technion.ac.il

Reuven Gal has experience in both academic, government and non-government arenas. He completed his B.A. and M.A. studies in psychology and sociology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (1963 – 1967) and earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California—Berkley (1975). Reuven served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as a combat infantry officer. In the Six-Days War he commanded a reserved reconnaissance unit in the battles in Jerusalem. He later served as the Chief Psychologist of Israel’s Navy and between 1976 and 1982 he served as IDF’s Chief Psychologist and the Commander of the Department of Behavioral Sciences of the IDF (MAMDA).  He retired (1983) with the rank of Colonel. Since then he has led an active career in public service and in the academy.

 

Dr. Gal served as the Deputy National Security Advisor on Israel’s National Security Council (2002 – 2004); founded, and also headed the Administration for National Civic Service, under the Prime Minister's Office (2006—2009).  He founded and directed (1985-2002) the Carmel Institute for Social Studies and the Centre of Quality Leadership.  His teaching career in psychology expands many universities, including Boston University (BU), University of British Columbia (UBC), University of Southern Florida (USF), Haifa University and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.   Dr. Gal is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Samuel Neaman Institute for National Policy Research at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.In his current position as head of the 'Ultra-Orthodox Integration Project', in the Samuel Neaman Institute for National Policy at the Technion, Gal focuses on the possibilities of Ultra-Orthodox integration into the employment market, and in proactive delivery of information on this topic to policy makers. In addition, Dr. Gal is also heading the project "It Takes Two to Tango -- Spatial and Social Implications of IDF's Relocation to the Negev"

 

Dr. Gal is the Founding Chair of the Israeli Society for Civil-Military Studies. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and of the Israeli Psychological Association (IPA). He sits on the Inter-University Seminar (IUS) Council, and on the Editorial Board of Armed Forces & Society.  Member, Board of Directors, University of Haifa (2015-2021); Member, Board of Governors, University of Haifa (2017-Present).   Dr. Gal has authored and edited six books, and published numerous articles and book chapters. 

 

Gal is married to Ivria, a family therapist. They have five children and twelve grandchildren.   

Articles

 Social Resilience in Times of Protracted Crises: An Israeli Case Study

The purpose of the lecture is to make students understand, analyze and self-apply the use of the term Resilience at its different levels (i.e. Individual, Communal, National and Global). In the lecture we will examine how the term Resilience is related (or not) to 'adjacent' terms, such as: Coping, adjustment, adaptation, overcoming etc. We will use an Israeli case-study to illustrate the phenomenon as well as ways of measuring and assessing it.

 

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Profile of "Outstanding Socially Committed Leadership"

Profile of "Outstanding Socially Committed Leadership"

The study aims to characterize the graduates of Edmund de Rothschild Partnerships programs as socially committed leaders, dedicated to bridging social and economic disparities in Israeli society.
Research and Formative Evaluation for a Health Program in Arab Society

Research and Formative Evaluation for a Health Program in Arab Society

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Authority for the Economic Development of the Minority Sectors seeks to promote a focused government program for the health of the Arab population in Israel. The program aims to provide "root treatment" for health conditions and disparities in healthcare services.
Integrating the Ultra-Orthodox Population in the Israeli Economy

Integrating the Ultra-Orthodox Population in the Israeli Economy

The Ultra-orthodox (U-O) Integration Project was inaugurated at the Samuel Neaman Institute in 2010, following the recommendations of the ”Israel 2028” Project. The goals of the UOI Project were to investigate the subject and provide recommendations as to how to enhance the participation of the U-O population in the labor market in Israel. During the last 5 years, the project team has produced a multitude of analyses on various aspects of the subject matter and has published numerous reports, which in turn had significant impact on the national policy in this area.
מחקר על הפוטנציאל למצוינות בלימודי מתמטיקה ופיזיקה במערכת החינוך החרדית

Excellence in Mathematics in the Ultra-Orthodox Community

This is an exploratory study, solicited by the Trump Foundation in Israel, aimed at the assessment of the potential for excellence in Math and Physics studies within the current Haredi Educational System. The study illuminates some of the recent transformations occurring in this regard, both within the Yeshivot of the Haredi men, as well among the Haredi women's education system, predominantly the Beit-Ya'akov schools. The report concludes by forecasting, cautiously, an imminent trend change towards a legitimate growing of excellence in mathematics among various sections in the Haredi society.
‘Common Ground’: Agreed Road Map for Long-Term National Paradigms

‘Common Ground’: Agreed Road Map for Long-Term National Paradigms

A Strategic thinking process for the state of Israel is presented. The preliminary stage is based on interviews of 32 prominent Israelis, from diverse walks of life, we find a wide common ground in considering the ‘Declaration of Independence’ (1948) to be Israel’s ‘organizing principle’ for the coming decades. Updating the ‘rules of the game’ and broad sense of security are the needed enablers. The project leads to a process of re-consideration of paradigms in education, Jewish-Democratic state, moral market economy, ‘Mamlakhtiut’ - statehood, Israel in the Middle East, and foreign affairs.
Benevolent community

Benevolent community

“Benevolent Community – for Social Mobility, Community Resilience, and Quality of Life – in the 21st Century”
 1מוכנות האוכלוסייה החרדית בישראל לרעידות אדמה ומצבי חירום

Preparedness of Ultra-Orthodox Population in Israel toward Earth Quakes and Emergency Situations

Sample groups within various Ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel will be surveyed in order to examine their perceptions, awareness and preparedness towards emergency situations – whether natural (e.g. earthquakes), or man-made (terror attacks, war aimed at civilian areas).

'Community and Career Center for Converters to Secularism' – Evaluation Study

This is an evaluation study, of the Formative Assessment nature, focusing on the program 'Community and Career Center for Former Haredim'. The program aims at creating a supportive community for lapsed Haredim, to diminish education and cultural gaps and to assist their integration within the secular society.
עירוניות וצבא – היילכו השניים יחדיו

It Takes Two to Tango? Spatial and Social Implications of Joint Civil-Military Development

The study examined the impact of the IDF bases' relocation to the Negev on strengthening the urban regions in the Be'er Sheva metropolitan area. It was hypothesized that the relocation of military installations would become a major mechanism for strengthening the towns located in the Be'er Sheva metropolitan area, strengthening the Negev's urban sector and thus increasing social integration. The study examined this hypothesis, both qualitatively and quantitatively, based on a broad spectrum of collected data.
מודל הגיוס לצהל - בחינת חלופות וחידושים

IDF’s Conscription Model: Examining Alternatives and Innovations

Our goal is to organize a Roundtable discussion, whose participants have expertise, knowledge and opinions on all aspects of military conscription – social, political, military, strategic, economic and psychological. In the Roundtable, a wide variety of opinions and positions will be expressed, on I.D.F. conscription and the volunteer army; innovations in this area will be discussed and various alternative policies will be presented. The Roundtable will provide informative useful material for a planned one-day Workshop conference, at which decision-makers and opinion leaders will participate. The S. Neaman Institute will prepare and distribute a report, at the conclusion of the Workshop.
Success Stories

Success Stories

October, 2013
A blunder that will echo for generations

A blunder that will echo for generations

30 March, 2024
Dr. Reuven Gal on the true significance of the High Court decision on Haredi recruitment.
The Day After The Gaza War

The Day After The Gaza War

24 November, 2023
The current conflict in the Middle East creates both a need and an opportunity to establish an overarching goal for the day after the war
Rebellion or good citizenship?

Rebellion or good citizenship?

21 July, 2023
On the criteria for justifying rebellion or civil disobedience
Another important aspect of the Russian-Ukraine War

Another important aspect of the Russian-Ukraine War

19 April, 2022
Dr. Reuven Gal on the concept of national resilience, and how it connects to Israel
Something goes wrong, it is the time for a change

Something goes wrong, it is the time for a change

14 April, 2021
Based on interviews of 32 prominent Israelis, from diverse walks of life, we find a wide common ground in considering the ‘Declaration of Independence’ to be Israel’s vision for the coming decades. Updating the ‘rules of the game’ and broad sense of security are needed enablers. Paradigms in education, Jewish-Democratic state, moral market economy, ‘Mamlachtiut’, Israel in the Middle East, and foreign affairs – are discussed.
A part of the IDF religionization

A part of the IDF religionization

12 December, 2017
The title of the document signed by the Givati Brigade Commander is "Commander's Order of Battle", but in fact it is a personal musings page by Colonel Ofer Winter.
Ultra-Orthodox:  Burden to society or have the potential to launch us forward?

Ultra-Orthodox: Burden to society or have the potential to launch us forward?

06 March, 2015
The politicians have forgotten the ultra-Orthodox issue at the election platforms, but if a serious effort will not be made to integrate them into society, we will reach a majority of ultra-Orthodox in the country that will be poor and mainly unproductive. How can we change that?

The way to integrate the Haredim

13 October, 2014
There is no choice. The assumed tolerable status quo must change. Israel must address the integration of Haredim to society in the same way she addressed the mass immigration waves. A strategig decision must be made to establish a coordinating body and harness all the government offices for the operation, while granting the lifestyle and characteristics of the Ultra-Orthodox community, and without trying to change their beliefs.
Dr. Reuven Gal:

New ultra Orthodox generation grows deep changes values began adopt new approaches

11 December, 2013
They enlist [to the military and Civic Service], they study [at academic institutions] and they want to work: More and more Ultra-Orthodox entering the job market, with increasing support from the rabbis. And the State of Israel stands in the threshold of a
The quiet transformation

The quiet transformation

02 September, 2011
The educational theory

The educational theory

24 December, 2014
The defiance virus

The defiance virus

19 July, 2013
Positive Change

Positive Change

18 August, 2012
The coalition timer

The coalition timer

27 January, 2012
Zichron redemption

Zichron redemption

09 December, 2011
Inevitable process

Inevitable process

23 September, 2011
Do not stop the Tal Law

Do not stop the Tal Law

25 February, 2011
A sacred work

A sacred work

01 December, 2010
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