As part of its quest to create and implement initiatives that engage Jews around the world in a brand of Judaism and Zionism that holds contemporary significance for them, The Shalom Hartman Institute introduced the Be’eri program that nurtures pluralistic Jewish-Israeli identity among Israeli youth. Serving as a resource center for secular high schools across Israel, Be’eri introduces these teens to a multi-faceted approach to Judaism, meaningful and relevant to their daily lives, enabling them to form a positive Jewish-Israeli identity. By creating a critical shift in the personal and national identity of tens of thousands of Israeli youth, Be’eri advances the transformation of young Israelis into proud Jews, and reveals – often for the first time – that there are many different and inspiring ways to be Jewish.
Through the program, Israeli students learn how deeply intertwined Israel and the Jewish people are, and recognize that the foundation for a proud national identity lies in reclaiming their Jewish identity. This realization results in a greatly enhanced sense of mission and an understanding amongst the students that they are part of a nation with a heritage, a culture, and a purpose, and that each and every one of them is an integral part of the Jewish people worldwide.
The Be'eri program operates through a holistic combination of components - principal and teacher training, curricular enrichment, expanded classroom hours devoted to Jewish studies, and informal activities. By shifting Jewish studies from a marginal discipline into a cornerstone of secular high school education, Be'eri helps to return ownership of Jewish values, concepts, and texts, to Israeli youth from a range of socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds.
Be'eri Overview Haifa Case Study Modi'in Case Study
The Director of the Be'eri School for Teacher Education is Rani Jaeger.
Be’eri thanks the many dedicated partners who help make our ongoing efforts possible:
Philanthropic Partners
The Be'eri program operates in junior and senior high schools in Israel, and is supported by funds from Israel and North America.
The Russell Berrie Foundation
Keren Karev
Keren Daniel
Crown Family Philanthropies
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Lewis Family Foundation
Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
Montreal Federation CJA
The Abraham and Sonia Rochlin Foundation
The June Baumgartner Gelbart Foundation
Dr. Sol Center
The Alan B. Slifka Foundation
Israeli Philanthropic Partners
Mr. Alan Feld and Ms. LeeOna Fisher
Ms. Raya Strauss Ben Dror
Tmura: The Israeli Public Service Venture Fund
Public Partners
Israel Ministry of Education
Municipality of Haifa
Municipality of Modi’in
Municipality of Be’er Sheva
Municipality of Nazereth Illit
Golan Regional Council
Contact Us
Be'eri Program
Shalom Hartman Institute
11 Gedalyahu Alon Street
Jerusalem 93113 Israel
Phone: +972-2-567-5350
Fax: +972-2-561-1913
