Spertus Institute. 100 Years of Jewish learning for a better world
Spertus Institute. 100 Years of Jewish learning for a better world

Critical Conversations | Israel Education at an Inflection Point: Complexity, Conviction, and Community

Program takes place online on Monday, May 11, 2026, 12:00-1:30 pm CDT

Israel is an integral part of Jewish identity, peoplehood, education, and Jewish communal leadership today. Israel also represents one of the most complex and emotionally charged issues facing Jewish communities today. In the wake of October 7, North American Jews experience events in Israel not as distant news, but as deeply personal and communal realities.  

Yet, conversations within Jewish educational settings about Israel often feel fraught, surfacing profound disagreements, moral tensions, and anxieties about belonging and legitimacy, or are avoided altogether. Israel has become a “third rail”—too risky to touch, yet impossible to ignore. 

This program asks: Why are these conversations so difficult? What fears and identity questions lie beneath them? How should we teach, learn, and lead around Israel? How can we cultivate resilient Jewish communities capable of engaging across difference without sacrificing integrity, complexity, or connection? 

Critical Conversations is an annual Spertus Institute program that brings together high-profile experts and practitioners to address the most critical issues of the day. Critical Conversations in recent years have focused on the emergence of AI, economic vulnerability within Jewish communities, and combating antisemitism. 

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About the Panel

This panel will be moderated by Spertus CEO and President Dr. Dean P. Bell. We’re excited to hear from this esteemed panel of experts in the field of Israel leadership and education:

Dr. David Bryfman, Chief Executive Officer, The Jewish Education Project

Dr. David Bryfman is the Chief Executive Officer of The Jewish Education Project, a national leader in innovating Jewish education and supporting educators. An internationally recognized speaker and writer, David offers expertise on Israel education, the trends of Jewish education today, and the innovations necessary to shape Jewish education tomorrow. David earned his Doctorate from NYU in Education and Jewish Studies, and is an alum of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship and Schusterman Fellowship. David is a founder of the annual Jewish Futures conference and helped direct the landmark GenZ Now study on Jewish teens. David is also an Adjunct Fellow at the Z3 Institute and hosts the weekly podcast “Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education,” where he explores pressing topics with expert guests.
 
 

Dr. Rachel Fish, Co-Founder & President, Boundless

Dr. Rachel Fish serves as director of the Brandeis University President’s Initiative on Antisemitism and is an associate research professor at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies. She is co-founder and president of Boundless, an independent think-action-tank promoting Israel education and combating Jew-hatred. In addition, she teaches Israeli history and society at The George Washington University as Visiting Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
 
 
 

Dr. Keren Fraiman, Spertus Institute, Vice President & Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Keren Fraiman is Spertus Institute’s Vice President & Chief Academic Officer. She also holds a faculty appointment as Professor of Israel Studies. In March 2025, Dr. Fraiman was awarded the 2025 Ilia Salita Excellence in Applied Research Award in recognition of her groundbreaking work on conflict education within Jewish educational settings. This prestigious honor, awarded by the Jewish Funders Network, recognizes scholars whose research has a meaningful impact on Jewish communities worldwide. 

 

Shuki Taylor, Founder and CEO, M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education

Shuki Taylor is the Founder and CEO of M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education, which strengthens Jewish professionals and their organizations to create meaningful and engaging Jewish experiences. An educator and entrepreneur, he develops programs and frameworks that support the growth and impact of Jewish educators worldwide. Shuki lives in Jerusalem with his wife Natalie and their four children. 

 

 

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Spertus Institute is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.

Spertus Institute’s Center for Jewish Leadership is supported in part by a generous grant from the Crown Family.

Critical Conversations is generously funded by the late Eric Joss. The program received additional support from Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC.

For More on Spertus' Israel Leadership Initiatives