No images? Click here
Dear Friend,
“Lo alecha ham’lacha ligmor, v’lo atah ben chorin l’hibatel mimenah” –– “It is not upon you to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
– Pirkei Avot 2:16
The end of a school year can make the work of education feel both celebrated and unfinished. Educators close one chapter while imagining the next.
Pirkei Avot reminds us that meaningful work is rarely completed in a single year, or by a single teacher, student, family, or community. It is shared across classrooms, generations, and moments of growth. Our task is to keep asking better questions, nurturing deeper connections, and returning to our purpose.
In that spirit, this month’s newsletter highlights several ways M² is continuing the work, including today’s webinar, Talking Israel with Teens (there is still time to sign up and join) – as well as the recent Yated: Pedagogy of Hope and next week’s Kehillot seminar in Toronto.
As we mark the close of the school year, may we honor what has grown, carry forward what still calls to us, and continue the work together.
Warmly,
The M² Team
Finding Hope in the Negev
In the breathtaking landscape of the Negev Desert, 19 educators from across Israel gathered for Yated: Pedagogy of Hope. These two days offered a chance for reflection, learning, and renewal. After nearly three years of teaching in times of crisis and uncertainty, educators were invited to consider hope as a profound educational stance – one that requires courage, imagination, responsibility, and practice.
Coming Together in Toronto
Next week, Kehillot: M² Community Fellows from Boston, Toronto, and Greater D.C. will convene in Toronto for their second seminar. The program was recently spotlighted in a JewishBoston article, where Kehillot: Boston fellow Emily Kestenbaum shared, “In such a short amount of time, I find myself learning so much, making deep connections, and finding ways to apply new learning as soon as I get back to work.” We’re excited to see this momentum continue as the cohort gathers again.
Happening Today! Webinar: Talking Israel with Teens
Join Jewish camp educator Kelly Cohen and M² Program Director Ilana Gleicher-Bloom for a virtual session exploring how to use Crossroads: Israel Edition with teens!
Designed for the conversations already happening in camp bunks, on Israel trips, in youth groups, and around Shabbat tables, Crossroads: Israel Edition helps create space for thoughtful, honest dialogue.
It’s not too late to join the call!
📆 Today, Thursday, May 28 | 12:00-1:00 pm Eastern | Zoom
חדש! ריטריט קיץ: תחנת רענון לאנשי ונשות חינוך באמצע הקריירה. מספר המקומות מוגבל וההשתתפות מותנית בהליך קבלה. ההרשמה עד ה-4 ביוני 2026.
📆 הרי ירושלים, יד השמונה, 5-8 ביולי 2026
This JewishAZ article highlights Hillel professional Jacob Cohen, who joined more than 90 aspiring Jewish professionals for three days of values-based learning and networking at the M² Aleh Summit in New Orleans.
M² alum Rachel Gildiner recently shared in eJewishPhilanthropy about her work with SRE Network to build safer, more respectful, and more equitable Jewish organizations — and the ongoing work of creating lasting gender equity.
In their piece published in eJewishPhilanthropy, Eva Heinstein and Karen Spira of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership cited M²’s Hope Study as they grapple with how to help Jewish leaders succeed in this moment.
In his new book, Heroism and Hope: Recharging Israel Education in a Post-October 7 World, David Bryfman, CEO of The Jewish Education Project and a longtime friend and colleague of M², challenges us to rethink how we teach and engage with Israel today.
The book is now available for purchase.
Mazal tov to Mabat 3 alum Elinor Malchi, who began a new role as the Manager of the Jerusalem Cinemateque.
SEC 5 alum Alissa Frankel started as the Education Director at Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach, FL. Mazal tov!
Have you started a new position? Published a thought leadership piece? Received an award? Please let us know so we can congratulate you and update our community and our records.
Were you forwarded this email? Join our growing network of Jewish educators, leaders, and learners. Click below to sign up for the M² newsletters.
Are you an alum of one of our programs?
Join the M² Alumni Broadcast WhatsApp group to stay informed
of future opportunities and updates.
NEW: Israeli alumni, join our Hebrew language WhatsApp group
to stay informed of opportunities and updates in Israel.
