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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