When I think about the most meaningful gesture I’ve experienced in my role as a fundraiser at the Melton Centre for Jewish Education, what comes to mind isn’t the largest donation. It’s a rainy afternoon at Café Landwer in Tel Aviv. That’s where I met with Anna, a cum laude graduate of our International MA in Jewish Education program—and something about that encounter has stayed with me ever since.
Just seeing her in person was deeply moving. Our program is almost entirely virtual, and whenever we have the chance to meet our students or alumni face-to-face, something shifts. The connection becomes more tangible, more human, more real.
About six months ago, we created a dedicated fundraising arm within the MA program, with a clear goal: to build a sustainable scholarship fund so that more educators can study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and bring what they learn back to their communities and schools across the Jewish diaspora. We believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives, and its central role in shaping Jewish identity and continuity.
Anna introduced us to the Shalem Foundation—a connection that soon led to a generous donation. But honestly, what stayed with me most from that afternoon wasn’t the gift itself, but the conversation we shared. We spoke about how the program had impacted her—how it shaped her work, deepened her commitment, and connected her with a global network of passionate, engaged educators. And we talked about what it means to support a cause: not just through money, but with time, ideas, energy, and love. Anna reminded me that giving is a way of saying: I belong here too.
Her decision to give wasn’t just a thank-you—it was a conscious choice to become part of something larger. She understood that supporting the program also means opening doors for others. That her path can help clear the way for those who follow. That her commitment doesn’t end with graduation; it begins there.
In our day-to-day work—mentoring educators, strengthening their journeys, and building a shared language around Jewish education—we try to stay focused on our purpose. But moments like that conversation with Anna bring that purpose into sharper focus. They remind us that we’re not doing this alone. That the meaning behind our work is shared by others—beyond our team, beyond our virtual classrooms. And that shared meaning gives our mission strength and direction.
That rainy afternoon has stayed with me ever since. Not because of the weather or the donation itself, but because of the deep sense of connection it created. Over a simple cup of coffee, we affirmed a vision much greater than either of us: one of community, possibility, and a future we build together.
I want to close by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the Shalem Foundation for its generous support of the International MA in Jewish Education. Your commitment is more than financial—it’s a pillar that helps us keep building. We feel honored and supported to have you by our side in this mission to train educators who strengthen Jewish communities. Thanks to your partnership, we can expand our reach, open new doors, and continue weaving a network of leaders devoted to the future of the Jewish people.