IR26 Gala Dinner: Celebrating Impact, Unveiling the Future

The JEIC 2026 Innovators Retreat Gala Dinner unfolded as a poignant journey that traced the organization’s history and significant impact on the Jewish day school field before boldly charting a course for its future.

Mayberg Foundation President and Trustee and JEIC founder Manette Mayberg commanded the room's full attention while challenging attendees to double down on the sacred, uniquely human space of the Jewish classroom during her opening remarks. She underscored the necessity of prioritizing authentic, student-centered pedagogies and humility in an era increasingly obscured by synthetic media and AI, asserting that no amount of technological simulation could ever replace a living, committed Jewish educator. Read Manette’s full remarks here

Following her keynote remarks, Manette transitioned into a heartfelt tribute to outgoing JEIC Managing Director Sharon Freundel, celebrating her transformative career. For over a decade, Sharon has been a driving force behind JEIC’s impact, championing the mission to make Jewish day school education more meaningful, powerful, and inspiring. This tribute honored her deep dedication to God-centered and student-centered learning, which have become hallmarks of the pedagogical shifts she helped cultivate throughout her tenure. Read more about the moving tribute to Sharon here

The evening continued with the premiere of Mishnah Impossible: A JEIC Retrospective, a video produced by Ariel Nishli of Meshy Media in collaboration with JEIC Founding Director Rabbi Shmuel Feld. Blending AI animation with testimonials from key leaders and partners, the film illustrates JEIC’s evolving journey. It traces the organization’s path from its initial focus on challenge grants to the development of signature initiatives like the Innovators Retreat and The Deep Consortium, highlighting a persistent commitment to student-centered renewal and the integration of technology with spiritual growth.

The gala then shifted from reflection to the future, unveiling a major new phase for JEIC. After years of field engagement, the organization announced the creation of a central, tech-enabled platform designed to support Jewish educators at every career stage—from pipeline entry to long-term professional development and connection. This initiative will be guided by a strategic working group of field leaders, including Jeremy Snepar, Rabbi Yehuda Chanales, Laura Goldman, Ayelet Lichtash, and Ruchel Green.

Culminating the evening’s forward-looking announcements, JEIC introduced Ruchel Green as the incoming Managing Director, effective July 1. This leadership transition represents the next chapter in JEIC's mission, ensuring that the organization remains a steadfast partner to educators. By evolving its support structure while staying rooted in core values, JEIC is poised to continue reshaping the landscape of Jewish day school education for years to come. Read JEIC’s full announcement about its new chapter and leadership here