Jewish Civilization and Peoplehood Global Conference
The Koret Center is committed to fostering a shared understanding of global Jewish peoplehood and addressing critical issues within the Jewish community. One of its key initiatives is the Jewish Civilization and Peoplehood Global Conference which was held in April 2023. This inaugural event brought together thought leaders, scholars, and educators from around the world to discuss the future of Jewish civilization, share diverse perspectives, and forge a collaborative vision for the Jewish community. Featuring breakout sessions, the conference aimed to create a new discourse on Judaism and build lasting connections for future collaboration.
During the conference, the participants split into four tracks, as described. Attached are the full conclusions and working papers that came out of the conference.
To view the full tracks, click on the linked titles.
The Rising Discourse Encounter
The Rising Discourse Encounter facilitated meaningful dialogue between Israeli civil servants and American Jewish organizational leaders, addressing challenges such as language barriers and political/religious diversity. Despite these obstacles, the event successfully enhanced mutual understanding, forged new connections, and emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration. It also focused on creating a framework for Jewish civil discourse to foster continued engagement and partnership.
The Education Track focused on enhancing Jewish education by supporting educators, bridging the gap between formal and informal education, and prioritizing Peoplehood education. Key recommendations included establishing centers for Jewish educators, promoting networking opportunities, and offering fellowships to strengthen connections across the global Jewish community.
The Academy Track at the Koret Center Annual Conference focused on preserving the academic integrity of Jewish studies while addressing challenges such as teacher shortages and declining student interest. Proposed solutions included fostering global collaboration, increasing funding, and developing initiatives to engage the public and strengthen Jewish identity within academia.
The Leadership Development Track
The Leadership Development Track at the Koret Ideation Gathering emphasized the importance of establishing a cohesive field of leadership development within the Jewish world. Key recommendations included fostering collaboration among programs, promoting inclusion, incentivizing new funding models, and creating platforms to share best practices for sustaining long-term leadership development.
