Nearly 90 women leaders and entrepreneurs from East Jerusalem came together this week at Ein Yael for a unique retreat titled The Queen’s Return: A Journey Back to the Self and focusing on strengthening personal resilience, confidence and leadership through self-discovery.
The East Jerusalem Women’s Leadership Forum was established by the Jerusalem Foundation in 2025, and has grown into a professional home for women leaders and entrepreneurs across East Jerusalem. Through networking, workshops, events and knowledge sharing, it fosters professional and personal growth, peer support and collaboration while working to improve services and opportunities throughout East Jerusalem. In addition, through an open call for proposals, the forum supports three community initiatives that advance social cohesion and create meaningful local impact.
Set in the rural landscape surrounding Jerusalem, Ein Yael, the retreat’s site, is a unique hub spanning over 40 acres, established by the Jerusalem Foundation as a multipurpose site combining archaeology, history and nature with creativity, self-exploration and personal growth. Through hands-on workshops and by the recreation of ancient crafts once practiced in the area, children, youth, adults and families from diverse backgrounds come together to create, explore and grow. The site also offers unique Nature Therapy treatments to youth at risk and groups affected by the past war.
The retreat featured six experiential sessions focusing on movement, mindfulness, creativity, identity, professional presence and resilience, stemming from the belief that effective leadership begins with a strong connection to oneself. The program was aimed at strengthening participants’ sense of capability, confidence and purpose while building meaningful connections with fellow women leaders. It included activities for some 20 children as well, allowing mothers to fully engage in the day’s workshops.
The day opened with a shared gathering and concluded with lunch, music and informal networking, creating opportunities for conversation, collaboration and new partnerships.
Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a strong sense of inspiration, belonging and personal growth. Beyond the individual experience, the retreat highlighted the role of the East Jerusalem Women’s Leadership Forum as a vibrant community that nurtures female leadership, encourages collaboration and empowers women to advance initiatives that benefit communities across East Jerusalem.
Photo credit: Aliph – Creative Agency
