Jewish education’s brightest stars take center stage

The Jerusalem Post, alongside the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism and its partner organization UnitEd, has established the Jewish Teachers Award to celebrate and recognize outstanding Jewish educators across the globe. This initiative aims to highlight the profound impact these teachers have in shaping Jewish identity, fostering a sense of belonging, and transmitting values, memory, and purpose to younger generations.

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Behind every confident Jewish child and every engaged Jewish community, stands a teacher who made a lasting difference. Through the Jewish Teachers Award, we are proud to recognize the educators whose passion, leadership, and commitment are strengthening Jewish identity and ensuring that our shared heritage continues to flourish for generations to come.

From Buenos Aires to Melbourne, and Montreal to San Antonio, Jewish educators are described as the architects of Jewish identity. They impart not only knowledge of Hebrew, Israeli history, and Jewish law but also cultivate essential elements of belonging and purpose. The award seeks to acknowledge the transformative role these educators play in the lives of their students and the continuity of the Jewish people.

Amichai Chikli, Israel's Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, emphasized the critical importance of Jewish education, particularly in recent years and especially since October 7. He stated that strong Jewish identity is vital for resilience during times of crisis. Chikli views Jewish educators as indispensable partners in a national mission to ensure the Jewish people's continuity and heritage.

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This award grew out of a simple belief: Educators are the mainstay of the Jewish people’s continuity, heritage, and unique identity, second in importance only to parents. They transmit to the next generation not only knowledge, but also identity, a sense of belonging, and responsibility. In recent years, and even more so since October 7, we have come to understand the extent to which Jewish education is a strategic component of the Jewish people’s resilience.

Jerusalem Post Group CEO Inbar Ashkenazi expressed pride in recognizing educators whose passion and commitment strengthen Jewish identity. The award ceremony will take place at the Global Jewish Educators Conference in Jerusalem on October 12, 2026. Up to ten exceptional teachers will be honored and fully hosted at this four-day summit, which will also serve as a platform for educational leaders worldwide to shape the future of Jewish education.

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Those whose identity is strong will fight for it; those whose identity hangs by a thread will abandon it in times of crisis. Our message is that the State of Israel regards Jewish educators around the world as full partners in this national mission. We value their work, understand the challenges they face, and want to tell them clearly: You are on the front lines of the struggle for the future of the Jewish people.