Mayberg Foundation Proud to Partner in Honoring Eight Jewish Educators from Around the World

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“Our continuity hinges on our ability to know one another and feel responsible for one another... This is where your role as educators and teachers becomes critical.” – President Isaac Herzog

Eight Jewish educators from around the world received the first Global Jewish Teachers Award at a gala on October 12, honoring their work strengthening Jewish identity, deepening students’ connection to Israel, and shaping the future of their communities. Held at the Jerusalem Theatre, the evening opened the Global Jewish Educators Summit, which brought about 250 educators from Jewish communities abroad to Jerusalem, joined by 100 Israeli educators. President Isaac Herzog, Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli, and educator and Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz addressed the audience.

The award is a joint initiative of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, The Jerusalem Post, UnitEd, the World Zionist Organization, and Herzog College. The winners were chosen from more than 200 candidates, and each received a $2,500 cash prize from the Mayberg Foundation’s Jewish Educator Impact Fund.

This year’s recipients

Each honoree was introduced on stage with a reflection in their own words. Below are excerpts from each.

  • Meir Bunytow, Principal of Jewish Studies, Beit Hayladim, Mexico City, Mexico: “My role is to give them knowledge, experiences, reasons, and a sense of belonging so that they choose to remain part of this people and want to take their place in its continuing story.”

  • Marina Grushevskaya, Teacher of Judaics, Lauder Etz Chaim School, Moscow, Russia: “I hope my students will be proud of being Jews, will honor the traditions of their people, and will feel love for the Land of Israel. And all this will be grounded in the knowledge gained in Torah lessons and in the tradition of the Jewish people.”

  • Raquel Hakim, Primary School Teacher, Yeshurun Torá, Buenos Aires, Argentina: “A belief that guides me as a Jewish educator is to live with complete faith, to belong to the Jewish people and to be proud of it.”

  • Rahel Israeloevitch, Kodesh Teacher for Grade 5 and Pedagogical Advisor, Yabne Henri Schilli, Paris, France: “I chose teaching not simply as a profession, but as a mission.”

  • Dina Jacobson, Jewish Studies Teacher and Head of Year 7, Yavneh College, London, UK: “My hope is that, beyond the knowledge gained in the classroom, my students leave with a genuine love of Judaism and a positive, enduring connection to this important part of their identity.”

  • Anat Kampf, Eretz Yisrael Teacher, Margolin Hebrew Academy, Memphis, USA: “My hope for my students is that they develop a genuine love for learning Torah and acquire the skills and confidence to continue learning independently throughout their lives.”

  • Tal Kattan, Deputy Principal and Head of Hebrew, King David Primary Linksfield, Johannesburg, South Africa: “I want my students to leave school proud to be Jewish, connected to their people, their language Hebrew, and their land Israel — and to become the best versions of themselves.”

  • Rabbi Tzvi Lew, Teacher and Rosh Beit Midrash, Yeshiva University High School for Girls, Queens, USA: “My students should have the tools to learn independently, think deeply, and apply what they have learned to their everyday lives.”

Honoring Jewish educators

“We recognize the invaluable role of Jewish educators in developing the Jewish identity of their students,” said Mayberg Foundation President and Trustee Manette Mayberg, who helped select this year’s honorees as a member of the award’s international judging panel. “Our gift is an opportunity to additionally honor these special role models whose careers in Jewish education have strengthened the Jewish future.” Manette attended the gala with Rachel Abrahams, senior advisor for education grants and programs, and Rina Schiff, director of marketing and communications, to celebrate the honorees in person.

The Mayberg Foundation wishes a heartfelt mazal tov to all eight honorees, and thanks our partners for the privilege of joining them in this award.

Read highlights from the speakers’ remarks in Israel National News’ coverage of the gala