- February 1, 2026
- 12:58 pm
- World News
Ukraine is among the key countries represented among the finalists of the prestigious international Yael Awards 2026, dedicated to outstanding achievements in Jewish education. The list includes educational projects and schools from Kyiv and Mykolaiv, alongside participants from Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America.
The finalists were announced, reported jpost, by the Yael Foundation — one of the largest international philanthropic organizations working exclusively in the field of Jewish education. The award is being held for the fourth time and is considered the main global benchmark for quality, innovation, and sustainability of Jewish educational systems.
The award ceremony will take place in February 2026 in Europe and will gather educators, Jewish community leaders, and philanthropists from dozens of countries. Against the backdrop of rising anti-Semitism and crises faced by the diaspora, the significance of such initiatives has sharply increased.
Members of the international jury note: today it is not just about preserving schools, but about the survival of Jewish identity in the long term. That is why, when evaluating the finalists, not only academic indicators were considered, but also the impact on the community, innovative approaches, and the ability to form a conscious Jewish identity in the new generation.
Robert Singer, chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact and former CEO of the World Jewish Congress, emphasized the symbolism of the moment. According to him, only now has the Jewish population returned to pre-war levels — about 16 million people. The question facing the world is what will happen in the next 80 years.
Singer noted that the availability of education is no longer a sufficient condition. Schools must be centers of quality — with strong teachers, modern infrastructure, and equal attention to general and Jewish disciplines. This is what keeps families and forms sustainable communities.
Among the finalists are educational initiatives from Brussels, Sofia, Lisbon, Istanbul, Kyiv, Bishkek, Cordoba, Richmond (Canada), and Mykolaiv. Many of them operate in small or developing communities, where each school is effectively the backbone of the entire Jewish life of the region.
Natan Sharansky, former Israeli government minister and ex-head of the Jewish Agency, linked Jewish education with the concept of freedom. According to him, in a world where the pressure of assimilation becomes the norm, only a strong identity allows a person to remain a free and responsible citizen.
Journalist and public figure from New York Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt noted the shift in focus in recent years. In her opinion, direct combat against anti-Semitism often proves to be a dead end. It is much more effective to strengthen the understanding of who you are, where you come from, and why you are here.
The issue of innovation became a separate topic of discussion. Investor and supporter of Jewish education Max Neuberger pointed out that new technologies, including AI, open access to knowledge on an unprecedented scale. However, without live contact, meaning, and values, technology alone cannot replace education.
In this context, the experience of Ukrainian Jewish schools acquires special significance. In conditions of war, migration, and constant pressure, educational projects in Kyiv and Mykolaiv demonstrate how it is possible to maintain identity and resilience even in extreme reality. NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency has repeatedly noted that Ukrainian Jewish education today plays not only an educational but also an existential role.
In addition to the main nominations, the Yael Foundation will present two honorary awards. Writer and educator Dov Forman will receive the Influence for Good award for his contribution to the popularization of education about the Holocaust and Jewish history in the digital environment. He emphasized that with the passing of Holocaust survivors, the educational mission becomes critically important.
The Voice of Jewish Identity award will be received by Agam Berger — a former hostage who became a public voice of Jewish identity. According to her, Jewish strength is not only survival but also the ability not to lose oneself even in the darkest circumstances.
The Yael Foundation, founded by Uri and Yael Poliovich, invested about 40 million euros in Jewish education in 2025 alone, supporting 130 programs in 45 countries. Through the Yael Awards, the foundation aims to highlight and scale models that can be adapted for different communities around the world.
The presence of Ukraine among the finalists of 2026 is not just a recognition of specific schools. It is a signal that even in conditions of war and instability, Jewish education remains a strategic resource for the future.