Who will teach the next generation?
A Jerusalem summit will bring together more than 300 educators from Israel and around the world to share ideas, confront common challenges, and strengthen the connections that sustain Jewish life.
On October 12, Jerusalem will host the Global Jewish Educators Summit, a landmark conference for Jewish education. Organized by the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry, the four-day event will unite Jewish educators from around the world to exchange ideas and future-proof Jewish education. Originally slated for March, the summit was postponed due to Operation Roaring Lion.
Over 200 Jewish teachers, principals, and leaders, alongside 100 Israeli educators, will convene at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem to network, learn, and form lasting connections.
UnitEd, an organization dedicated to empowering Jewish day schools globally, will coordinate the summit. UnitEd's director of education, Rachel Fink, emphasized the importance of educators in shaping Jewish education, stating, "The future of Jewish education will not be shaped by programs or curricula alone. It will be shaped by the people standing in front of Jewish children every day."
Fink believes the summit aims to recognize the critical role of Jewish educators, learn from their peers worldwide, and strengthen the bond between them and Israel. Each participant will receive the Jewish Teachers Award, honoring exceptional educators and acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the future of Jewish life in the Diaspora.
The summit will delve into three key themes: the personal identity and mission of educators, the relationship between Israel and global Jewish communities, and the responsibility to transmit Jewish knowledge, values, and a sense of belonging. These themes aim to bridge the personal, communal, and educational aspects of Jewish life, prompting educators to contemplate their role in shaping the Jewish future.
The summit's primary objective is to equip educators with fresh ideas, strategies, and connections to return to their communities with a renewed network of global colleagues, a treasure trove of educational concepts, and a revitalized sense of purpose. The summit will also underscore Israel's commitment to backing Jewish educators worldwide, enhancing their professional and educational leadership, and deepening the partnership between Israel, Jewish communities worldwide, and the educators who mold our shared future.
Rabbi Levi Milecki, head of primary at Kesser Torah College in Sydney, Australia, who will attend the summit, highlighted the major challenges facing Jewish education in Australia, including assimilation, the high cost of living, and antisemitism. Milecki cited the Hanukkah shootings on Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025, where 15 people were killed and 40 injured, as a sobering reminder of the threats Jews face worldwide.
He expressed gratitude for the support received from Sheba Medical Center, Hatzalah, and One Family after the attack.
Milecki emphasized that despite the physical distance between Australia and Israel, the Jewish community remains united. He believes that Jewish educators play a crucial role in fostering a strong Jewish identity and pride in the next generation, and he is eager to gain insights from other educators at the summit and contribute to the collective effort to strengthen Jewish life in the Diaspora.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
