Michael Chayat is the founder of the Stronger Association, which uses martial arts to help at-risk youth from the ultra-Orthodox society in Israel get out of situations of risk, drugs, alcohol, crime and violence and to acquire education and professional skills. The organization promotes a healthy lifestyle among the ultra-Orthodox population in Israel and runs a project to promote coexistence between different cultural and religious sectors in Israel.

Michael is a graduate of Yeshiva University. He trains and coaches capoeira, a Brazilian martial art, for which he has won a number of awards: first place for the green-purple belt at Mediterranean Championship 2017, Mediterranean Champion for 2018 and fourth place in the world at the World Championship in Rio in 2019.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Social Change Through Young Athletes

The various cultural and religious sectors in Israel live in separate spheres. Teens from different sectors are shaped from childhood to fear and hate the other sectors, which leads to war and violence.

This project brought together 20 young athletes from different religious and secular sectors in Israel to build a more tolerant community. The young athletes learned to break down walls and shatter myths about the other sectors. Parents of the athletes expressed interest in conducting similar activities in an adult community.

IVLP Exchange Experience

Michael participated in the IVLP Project NGO Management, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with Global Ties Arkansas, Global Ties Miami, GlobalPittsburgh, WorldDenver, World Affairs Council of St. Louis, Georgia Council for International Visitors, and the International Institute of Buffalo.

Michael's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "The trip to the U.S. as part of IVLP was a life-changing experience for me."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually 

Little Rock, AR; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; St. Louis, MO; Buffalo, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; West Reading, PA

Country: Israel

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