MAY 18 • 2023 | 19
of ages, is essential as
younger generations are
less connected to the land,
people, culture and political
realities of Israel.
“Our aspiration is to
ensure young learners have
a connection to Israel even
if it is a challenging and
frustrating one at times,”
she said. “We must validate
that feeling of discomfort
while at the same time
encouraging them to ask
questions and engage in
the conversation. Our
commitment to peoplehood
and a strong Jewish future
depends on it.”
Yiftah Leket, the
community’s shaliach
(Israel emissary), explained
that the Jewish
Federation is
committed to
growing and
supporting
Israel education
throughout the
community and
that this project is a vital
component of that work.
“We are encouraging
educators to expand their
own learning while also
applying that learning
to their schools and
classrooms,” he said.
Including current high
school students in the
program from both Frankel
Jewish Academy and Farber
Hebrew Day School was
essential.
FJA senior Ethan Grey
said, “Being a part of the
Hartman Institute program
has been very meaningful.
I have had the unique
opportunity to work with
guest speakers, heads of
schools, teachers, parents
and fellow students. My
favorite aspect about the
experience is knowing that
I am impacting FJA’s Israel
education, not only for the
future but for today. I am
very appreciative.”
Dr. Darin Katz, head of
school at Hillel Day School
explained, “This program
has been incredibly
impactful for
me as a Jew, a
supporter of
Israel and as a
head of school.
Learning from
the Hartman
scholars and
having discussions with my
colleagues, teachers and
students from local Detroit
Jewish day schools provided
time and space to parse out
the complexities of Israel
education in 2023.
“Collaboration like
this is only possible in a
community like Detroit,”
he added. “I am excited to
take what I have learned
and enrich Israel education
at Hillel Day School going
forward.”
Heads of school will
continue their learning this
summer for a weeklong Day
School Leadership program
at Hartman’s campus in
Jerusalem with other school
leaders from across North
America.
The Hartman Institute
also offers a teen fellowship
opportunity for 10-12th-
graders to learn more about
the opportunities and
challenges of peoplehood in
the modern world.
Applications for the next
cohort are open now, and
the program will launch in
the fall of 2023.
Provided by the Shalom Hartman
Institute.
Yiftah
Leket
Dr. Darin
Katz
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