The annual seminar immerses educators in Israel's history, heritage, and contemporary challenges, equipping them with new tools to strengthen Jewish and Zionist identity among their students.
Throughout the program, participants explored Israel in a hands-on way—traveling across the country, visiting KKL-JNF heritage sites, engaging with groundbreaking social initiatives, and meeting with leading Israeli educators and changemakers. Additionally, they received personalized training in key areas such as technology, sustainability, ecology, and KKL-JNF’s core values.
A powerful element of the seminar included a visit to the Gaza Envelope region, where participants met with local residents and soldiers, gaining firsthand insight into the impact of the October 7th attacks. Educators also visited the KKL-JNF-supported youth farm, which provides support and rehabilitation for at-risk Ultra-Orthodox youth.
Photograph: KKL-JNF
KKL-JNF’s goal is for these educators to return to their communities not only with a deeper understanding of Israel but also as ambassadors of its story, equipped with meaningful experiences to share with their students.
Sar Shalom-Gerbi, Manager of the Education and Community Division at KKL-JNF, said: “KKL-JNF places great importance on strengthening the ties between Jewish communities in the Diaspora and Israel, especially in these days. Educators coming to Israel are exposed to KKL-JNF’s educational programs, experience the country on a deeper level—through its people, stories, and landscapes—and return to their communities as ambassadors, carrying knowledge, experience, and meaning. We will continue investing in education to strengthen the connection with Israel and the entire Jewish people.”
Yaakov from Brooklyn and Yossi from Toronto, educators who participated in KKL-JNF’s Ultra-Orthodox seminar, shared: “The experience has been powerful and emotional. Through KKL-JNF, we have witnessed the resilience of the Jewish state and the IDF, despite the terrible blow the country has endured. Being here opens our hearts to a sense of responsibility and mutual commitment to the State of Israel.”