Pictured: Dr. Keren Fraiman teaching in a Spertus Institute seminar.
News Release, July 7, 2026
At a moment when conversations about Israel, Jewish identity, and conflict have become more urgent and difficult to navigate, Spertus Institute is proud to become the new home for the Conflicts of Interest program, which helps Jewish leaders engage more effectively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This initiative builds on Spertus Institute’s deep commitment to robust and nuanced Israel education. Previously run by The iCenter, the program delves into Israel’s history and methods for leading difficult conversations.
“Conflicts of Interest addresses one of the most pressing needs in Jewish communal life today, and Spertus is committed to ensuring this work continues, deepens, and grows as part of Jewish educators’ broader efforts to reimagine Israel education at a moment of generational change, technological, and social disruption,” said Dr. Dean Bell, the President and CEO of Spertus Institute.
The Chicago-based Spertus Institute is a century-old, accredited institution of higher Jewish learning with a long record in leadership development, convening across difference, and Israel education. Spertus will build on Conflicts of Interest’s proven approach to cultivating multiple perspectives, authentic voices, and respectful discourse across difference, while expanding the program’s audiences, topics, and delivery models.
These efforts will be spearheaded by Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Keren Fraiman, who was awarded the 2025 Ilia Salita Excellence in Research Award by the Jewish Funders Network for her research on the barriers educators face when engaging the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her work identified gaps in content knowledge, effective pedagogy for facilitating difficult conversations, skills for managing the complex emotional landscape, and institutional leadership and support.
Under her leadership, Spertus has piloted certificate programs in Israel education for the Foundation for Jewish Camp, Israel Leadership for synagogues in the Chicago metropolitan area, and Israel Leadership for Jewish day schools in Miami.
“In a post-October 7 world, when conversations about Israel, Jewish identity, and conflict have become more urgent and difficult to navigate, we strive to provide both vital content knowledge and practical tools for educators and communal leaders,” Fraiman said. “Without foundational knowledge and context for the complexities of our current moment, engaging in these conversations can feel overwhelming—or be avoided altogether. Conflicts of Interest empowers participants to gain the confidence, competencies, and knowledge to bring meaningful conflict education back to their classrooms and communities.”
Earlier this year, The iCenter announced that it would close and hand off some of its successful core programs to other organizations.
Conflicts of Interest’s transition to Spertus is being supported by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Jim Joseph Foundation, and Crown Family Philanthropies, and is being welcomed by leaders in Israel education.
“Around the country, Spertus Institute graduates are deeply committed to building vibrant Jewish communities and creating meaningful Jewish learning experiences,” said Dawne Bear Novicoff, Executive Vice President of the Jim Joseph Foundation. “These Jewish leaders and educators need the knowledge, confidence, and tools to thrive in an increasingly complex world. Post-October 7, the Conflicts of Interest program is especially resonant. By housing the program at Spertus, more future leaders and educators will be equipped to bring authentic Israel education to their learners and community members—helping them develop personal, meaningful connections to the land, people, and state of Israel. This is a welcome development as we continue to advance the field of Israel education to reflect the opportunities, needs, and challenges of today and tomorrow.”
“At a time when educators and communal leaders are being asked to lead increasingly complex conversations about Israel, we need to support and strengthen programs that combine rigor, nuance, and practical tools,” said Lisa Eisen, Co-President of Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. “Conflicts of Interest has helped build that capacity across the field, and we are proud to support its next chapter at Spertus Institute. Dr. Keren Fraiman brings the scholarship, educational vision, and deep understanding of practitioners’ needs that this work requires. We look forward to seeing Spertus build on the educational program’s strong foundation and expand its reach to more leaders, educators, and communities.”
“When it comes to Israel and Israel education, few programs are better equipped to help our community navigate today’s challenges than Conflicts of Interest. With its commitment to rigorous scholarship, thoughtful engagement with complexity, and now the academic home of the Spertus Institute, the program is poised to reach a new level of intellectual and communal impact,” said David Bryfman, Chief Executive Officer of The Jewish Education Project.