Teachers’ Lounge Program Wins Prestigious Israeli Prize for Bridging Social Divides

Hebrew Union College's Teachers' Lounge program has been awarded the Speaker of the Knesset Prize for Quality of Life, one of Israel's most prominent civic honors, in recognition of its efforts to strengthen shared society amid deepening polarization and ongoing conflict. The award highlights the program's sustained work bringing Jewish and Arab educators together for dialogue, professional development, and collaborative learning - equipping them to navigate some of the country's most charged social tensions inside their own classrooms.

Led by Professor Michal Muszkat-Barkan, Ph.D. and Director Anat Infeld Goodman, the Teachers' Lounge convenes educators in regular facilitated sessions that tackle immediate classroom challenges: how to discuss war, trauma, national narratives, and political disagreement with students from vastly different backgrounds. "This award affirms the power of sustained educational partnerships to foster respect, shared living, and hope across social divides," said Muszkat-Barkan, "especially at a time when remaining in dialogue can feel both risky and rare." The program, which is in memory of Shira Banki, was selected from among numerous nominations for its meaningful and consistent impact on educators navigating these tensions daily.

For Nachman Shai, Ph.D., Rabbi David Ellenson Dean of the Taube Family Campus and former Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs, the recognition carries particular weight given the country's prolonged state of conflict. "From the painful reality of three consecutive years of war, more than anything else emerges the need to create a shared life," he said. "I am proud that our groundbreaking project is now receiving official state and national recognition." The prize underscores a broader conviction at the heart of the College's mission - that educators, equipped with the right tools and supported in real relationships across difference, are among the most powerful forces shaping Israel's democratic future.

This sentiment is echoed across the College. "This is extraordinary recognition of work that is deeply meaningful and urgently needed," said Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., Gus W. Herrman President. "The Teachers' Lounge exemplifies Hebrew Union College's commitment to education as a force for connection, dignity, and mutual understanding."