The History of JH Israel
The History of
JH Israel
In 2010, Heather Johnston, in partnership with former Ariel Mayor Ron Nachman, built and established the National Leadership Center (NLC). Today, the NLC hosts groundbreaking programs that have given more than 100,000 Israeli and Arab youth the opportunity to meet and participate in an unparalleled experiential learning adventure.
Heather Johnston
Founder of JH Israel
1997
Bruce and Heather Johnston visit Israel, where they meet and form a friendship with the Mayor of Ariel, Ron Nachman
1998
Students from Ariel begin visiting JH Ranch through a cultural exchange program
2006
Heather Johnston casts the vision for a Leadership Center to impact Israel's next generation
2007
Mayor Nachman agrees to partner with JH Ranch in building a Leadership Center in Ariel
2008
Israel's Ministry of Education partners with JH Israel to write a Bible-based curriculum for students
2009
Israel's Defense Minister grants exemption, allowing the necessary permits for Leadership Center construction
2010
Leadership Center holds a grand opening and begins operation
2011
Ministry of Education and Israel Defense Forces begin using the Leadership Center for training
2012
Big Top Conference Center is built
2013
Prime Minister Netanyahu endorses the facility in Ariel as the National Leadership Center
2015
The “Take 5: Becoming a Leader” curriculum is completed and implemented in NLC programs
2016
Eran Glazer becomes NLC Managing Director, and a registered Israeli nonprofit (Amutah) is formed
2017
NLC reaches a milestone of 50,000 participants
2018
The Ministry of Education signs an agreement to fund and send students to the NLC, and U.S. Ambassador David Friedman makes a historic visit to the NLC— becoming the first U.S. Ambassador to visit the West Bank in 40 years
2019
NLC launches an in-school program for students in local high schools throughout the nation
2020
NLC expansion increases the facility capacity to host 24,000 students annually
2021
NLC hosts the first national education conference for students, educators, and government officials, and the Israel Virtual House of Prayer launches 24/7 prayer coverage
2022
NLC reaches milestone of 100,000 participants and launches parent-teen program
2023
Following the horrific attacks on October 7, 2023, the NLC remained open, serving as a beacon of hope for a nation in the midst of war
2024
The NLC welcomed groups of orphans, widows, and soldiers (on both active duty and reserve) to participate in programming promoting empowerment and resilience
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OUR VISION
Our vision is to inspire and equip Israel's rising leaders to step into their biblical identity and shape the future of their nation.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to facilitate experiential learning initiatives that strengthen spiritual identity, foster national healing, and inspire a global understanding of Israel’s role in biblical history.
EXPLORE
© Copyright 2025 JH Israel
OUR VISION
Our vision is to inspire and equip Israel's rising leaders to step into their biblical identity and shape the future of their nation.
OUR MISSION
Through partnerships with the Ministry of Education and the Israel Defense Forces, we facilitate experiential learning initiatives that strengthen spiritual identity and inspire global understanding of Israel’s role in biblical history.
EXPLORE
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