Amal’s Leadership Conference Welcomes the New School Year

At the start of the new school year, the Amal Educational Network convened its executive team, principals, and pedagogical staff for a leadership conference at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv. The gathering reflected Amal’s deep commitment to investing in its leaders—its most valuable asset—and to shaping the direction of Israeli education in a changing world.

The conference opened with greetings from Director General Karen Tal and Head of Education, Technology, Research and Development, Tamar Peled Amir, who spoke about Amal’s vision for the year ahead. Participants then heard from two distinguished keynote speakers. Dr. Tehila Altshuler Schwartz, a leading researcher in technology policy, democracy, and human rights, delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled “From the Near Past to the Near Future of AI in Schools.” She equipped principals and educators with practical guidance on how to harness the opportunities of artificial intelligence while responsibly confronting its challenges and risks.

The second keynote, “How the Mind Works,” was given by Dr. Liat Yakir, a biologist at the Weizmann Institute and expert in hormonal research. Dr. Yakir offered powerful insights into brain function, emotions, and their influence on learning—sparking meaningful discussions among Amal’s educational community.

Between these sessions, participants engaged in two practical workshops. One explored the important distinction between achievement and excellence, while the other provided tools for integrating AI into everyday teaching. The day also included moments of appreciation, as Karen and Tamar paid tribute to two veteran educators who recently retired after many years of impactful service.

This inspiring day reaffirmed Amal’s belief that the best way to lead education forward is by nurturing and empowering those who lead our schools. As we begin the year ahead, we wish our entire community a productive, meaningful, and successful school year.