Special Delegation from George Washington University Visits Amal Educational Network
This morning, the Amal Educational Network had the privilege of hosting a distinguished delegation of Jewish educators, graduate, and PhD students, who arrived at the Amal Lady Davis Multidisciplinary school in Jerusalem. Organized by the ICenter, the Israel Center at George Washington University, this visit was aimed at learning from the experiences of Karen Tal, Director General of Amal, particularly how she has navigated the network since the atrocities of October 7th and the school year that followed, overshadowed by trauma and an ongoing war.
The Amal Educational Network is renowned for representing the diverse fabric of Israeli society, with students and educational staff coming from all backgrounds, including Jews (both secular and religious), Arabs (Druze, Bedouins, Muslims, and Christians), and various socio-economic statuses, from both the center and the periphery of Israel. This diversity makes Amal an intriguing case study for educational leaders worldwide. Karen Tal delivered a compelling presentation, sharing her personal and professional journey. She spoke passionately about her parents, who made Aliyah from Morocco and, despite their modest means, instilled in their children a sense of empowerment and responsibility to make a difference in the world. This upbringing inspired Karen to pursue a career in education, driven by the belief that proactive involvement can foster hope and ability.
She underscored the necessity of teaching students about citizenship in a democratic society to prevent radicalization and societal polarization. By fostering a strong sense of identity and community, Karen believes students will be more confident and motivated to contribute positively to society. The delegation was particularly interested in Karen’s strategies for instilling these values, including annual journeys for students to learn about different groups within Israeli society, establishing civic labs in schools to promote community-beneficial innovations, and her ambitious goal of teaching Hebrew to Arab students and Arabic to Jewish students. Karen highlighted that language is a vital tool for social mobility and mutual understanding.
The delegation expressed their gratitude for Karen’s inspirational talk, which many described as enlightening and motivational. Karen was also excited to meet Dr. Barry Chazan from the ICenter. Dr. Chazan, who served on the selection committee that awarded Karen the 2011 Bronfman Prize for the most notable Jewish humanitarian leader, played a pivotal role in her career. This prestigious award paved the way for Karen to become the educational leader she is today. Meeting Dr. Chazan again was very emotional for Karen, and he shared that he came specifically to hear her talk.
Prof. Barry Chazan is an internationally acclaimed Jewish educator and pioneer in the field of Israel education. This visit was made possible through the efforts of Lorne Klemensberg of Routes Travel, to whom Amal Educational Network extends its heartfelt thanks. The network also appreciates the ongoing support from the ICenter in Washington DC, recognizing the vital role such connections play in strengthening the ties between the Jewish world and Israel, especially in these challenging times. Additionally, special thanks go to Rafi Alfassi, the principal of the Amal Lady Davis Multidisciplinary School in Jerusalem, for hosting the delegation.