Who will teach the next generation?

On October 12, Jerusalem will be the site of a landmark event in the history of Jewish education – the Global Jewish Educators Summit. Organized by the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry, the four-day conference will bring hundreds of Jewish educators from around the world together to share ideas and shape the future of Jewish education. The conference, originally scheduled for March, was postponed to October due to Operation Roaring Lion. Over 200 Jewish teachers, principals, and Jewish educational leaders from around the world, along with 100 Israeli teachers, will gather at Jerusalem’s Ramada Hotel to network, learn about the latest educational tools and methodologies, and build connections that will last long after the conference. UnitEd, the educational organization that empowers Jewish day schools worldwide, will facilitate the event. Rachel Fink, director of education for UnitEd, explained the significance of the conference, saying, “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. “The Global Jewish Educators Summit is about recognizing that responsibility, learning from the extraordinary educators working around the world, and strengthening the connections between them and Israel. We want every educator who comes to Jerusalem to leave knowing that the work they do matters and that UnitEd is with them every step of the way.” The Global Jewish Educators Summit puts Jewish educators at center stage, recognizing their role in shaping the future of Jewish life in the Diaspora and expressing deep appreciation for their work and dedication. At the event, eight outstanding educators will be presented with the Jewish Teachers Award, recognizing extraordinary Jewish educators and celebrating the transformative role they play in shaping the Jewish future. Personal, communal, educational The summit will explore three themes: the educator’s personal identity and mission; the relationship between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide; and the responsibility to pass on Jewish knowledge, values, and belonging. Together, these themes connect the personal, communal, and educational dimensions of Jewish life and invite educators to reflect on their role in shaping the Jewish future. One of the primary goals of the summit will be to give educators new ideas, strategies, and contacts, so that they may return to their communities with a new network of colleagues from around the world, a professional toolbox of ideas and concepts, and a renewed sense of mission – knowing that they are part of a global Jewish educational community, and that their work is recognized and appreciated. The summit will also reflect the State of Israel’s commitment to supporting Jewish educators worldwide, strengthening their professional and educational leadership, and deepening the partnership between Israel, Jewish communities across the globe, and the educators who help shape our shared future. Jewish educators from across the full spectrum of Jewish education, representing diverse educational settings, approaches, and communities from around the world, will participate in the summit. Participants will come from a wide range of Jewish schools and countries, creating an opportunity for meaningful cross-cultural learning, exchange, and connection. Rabbi Levi Milecki, head of primary at Kesser Torah College in Sydney, Australia, who will be attending the summit, says that the major challenges confronting Jewish education in Australia include assimilation, the high cost of living, and antisemitism, as reflected in the Hanukkah shootings on Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025, in which 15 people were killed and 40 people were wounded. “People always used to think Australia was the safest place to live in the world, and we’ve learned the hard way that that’s not the case,” said Milecki. Over 90 students from Kesser Torah were on Bondi Beach during the attack, and the school has devoted a great deal of attention to the aftereffects of the tragedy. “The effect on our school was quite significant,” he added. Milecki said that the community is grateful for the assistance it received from Sheba Medical Center, Hatzalah, and One Family after the shootings. “That really shows that even though we are far, and Australia is very far – on the other side of the world – we are really one family. And no matter what life throws at us, whatever antisemitism throws at us, whatever the world throws at us, when we reach across the world, and we can connect with each other across the world, we really can help each other get through this. Things will be brighter. But it really is up to us to be able to make that happen, and Jewish educators play the most important role because we are raising the next generation.” Milecki shared that he is looking forward to his trip to Jerusalem for the summit and hopes to gain a different perspective and hear how other educators inspire their students and schools to have a strong Jewish identity and maintain their Jewish pride. Rabbi Sam Thurgood, head of Jewish life and learning at the United Herzlia Schools, in Cape Town, South Africa, says that while the events of October 7 have highlighted the vulnerabilities of Jewish people around the world, including those in South Africa, they also brought a sense of the responsibilities of Jews toward each other. For Thurgood, responding to antisemitism begins with a clear understanding of Jewish identity and values. “It’s only from that sense of clarity and inspiration within our own Jewish identity and values that it makes sense to respond to antisemitism. We’re not here to defy the antisemites. We’re here because this is who we are. And if we strongly believe in that, we can then formulate the answers to the questions and challenges that come in.” He shared that one of the great strengths of Jewish education in South Africa is the fact that between 75% and 85% of Jewish children in the country attend a Jewish day school. “What that means is that our day schools are really at the center of our communities, and the values of our communities and what we achieve within the community,” he said. The large numbers of Jewish children who attend day school also present a unique challenge, he noted. “Because there is such a broad section of the community attending Jewish schools, there is some level of pressure to try to be all things to all people.” Thurgood said most young South African Jews today have a strong, positive connection to the State of Israel and feel deeply connected to Israel and Israelis. He is looking forward to attending the summit and learning new things. “What I’ve always found with conferences of this type is the exposure to high-caliber educators on the cutting edge of Jewish education, both from those presenting at the conference and those that you meet within the conference, as well as a chance for us to be present in and experience Israel.” The Global Jewish Educators Summit will bring together learning, inspiration, connection, and belonging; strengthen participants’ sense of purpose and shared responsibility; and recognize the profound contribution educators make to Jewish life. This article was written in cooperation with the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry.