Dr. Keren Fraiman Awarded the 2025 Ilia Salita Excellence in Research Award
CHICAGO, IL – Spertus Institute proudly announces Dr. Keren Fraiman, Dean and Chief Academic Officer, has been awarded the 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.
Dr. Fraiman’s award-winning chapter explores the challenges Jewish educators face in teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, offering a nuanced analysis of the barriers – ranging from knowledge gaps to institutional pressures – that make this subject particularly difficult to navigate. Her work provides a critical framework for developing innovative approaches that empower educators to engage students in complex, meaningful discussions about Israel.
“Jewish educators overwhelmingly recognize the importance of conflict education, yet many still feel unprepared to teach it,” Dr. Keren Fraiman explains. “This research highlights both the challenges and opportunities for better equipping educators with the tools, confidence, and institutional support they need to engage their students effectively.”
As a leading scholar in the field of Israel education, Dr. Fraiman’s expertise extends beyond research; she is deeply involved in preparing educators and professionals in the Jewish communal space to engage with difficult topics in a way that fosters critical thinking, nuanced dialogue, and intellectual rigor. Her work at Spertus Institute, the Chicago-based center for Jewish Learning and Leadership, reflects the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and its role as a hub for advancing Jewish scholarship and making community impact.
Dr. Fraiman accepted the award this week at the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) International Conference, where she shared insights from her research and discussed the future of conflict education in Jewish settings.
For more information about the 2025 Ilia Salita award for “Barriers to Entry: Exploring Educator Reticence for Engaging with Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” see the Jewish Funders Network’s Announcement for the 2025 Ilia Salita Excellence in Research.