Over 200 Jewish principals and teachers gathered in Cyprus this week for the largest-ever conference of Jewish educators held outside of Israel and North America. The Yael International Summit, which took place over three days, was dedicated to discussing the critical role of Jewish education in combating the growing threat of antisemitism worldwide. Hosted by the Yael Foundation, the summit brought together educators, thought leaders, and high-ranking Israeli officials from 37 nations.
Minister Amichai Chikli, the Israeli Minister responsible for combating antisemitism, delivered a powerful message to attendees. In his remarks, he acknowledged that while there are many “band-aid” solutions to antisemitism, the real solution lies in strengthening Jewish identity. “When a war is ideological and spiritual, the response must also be spiritual,” Chikli stated, emphasizing the role of Jewish education in safeguarding the future of the Jewish community in a time of increasing hate and intolerance.
Chikli also expressed strong support for the Yael Foundation’s motto, “No Jewish Child Left Behind.” The foundation has been a leader in nurturing Jewish identity and empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders, ensuring that Jewish children, regardless of where they live, have access to high-quality Jewish education alongside their general studies.
The summit also featured remarks from Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog, Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency. Almog underscored the importance of mutual responsibility within the global Jewish community, stating, “We will get to every single Jewish community because we believe in the great Jewish ethic of mutual responsibility.”
A key highlight of the summit was the announcement of the Yael Foundation’s annual awards, which recognized outstanding individuals, schools, and programs for their exceptional achievements in fostering Jewish education, identity, and innovation. These awards were presented by Yael Poliavich, Co-Founder of the Yael Foundation, and Minister Chikli.
One of the most notable recipients of the awards was the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, who was recognized for his unwavering commitment to Jewish education and strengthening Jewish life in Rome. Under his leadership, Rome has seen significant developments, including the renovation of the historic 100-year-old Scuole Ebraiche di Roma. The new building, funded in part by the Yael Foundation and The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, will increase the capacity of the school and enable more children to access Jewish education in the heart of the city.
Deputy Mayor of Rome Tobia Zevi, who accepted the award on behalf of Mayor Gualtieri, praised the initiative: “Opening a school in a public building, instead of a hotel or business, in the central part of the city where millions of tourists visit, is a huge success. What you are doing enriches our city and its communities.”
Other awardees included the Chné-Or School Group in France, which launched the “Jewish School for All” campaign to offer accessible, high-quality Jewish education to students of all financial and religious backgrounds. The David Wolfsohn School in Argentina was recognized for its dual-language instruction in Spanish and Hebrew, while Te Menachem School in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, was honored for its remarkable resilience in offering Jewish education amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.
Chaya Yosovich, CEO of the Yael Foundation, concluded the summit by praising the honorees for their commitment to fostering Jewish education and ensuring that Jewish identity remains strong for future generations. “Each of our honorees exemplifies the profound impact that a nurturing and forward-thinking educational environment can have on students, their families, and entire communities,” Yosovich said.
The Yael International Summit serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of Jewish education in the face of rising antisemitism globally. Through collaboration and mutual support, educators and leaders continue to shape the future of the Jewish community, ensuring that no Jewish child is left behind in the fight to preserve their identity and heritage.