“This issue of SAPIR begins from a simple judgment: America’s institutions are strained, not spent. They are falling short in visible ways — on trust, on speech, on education, on civic formation — but they remain capable of renewal. Repair, not revolution, is the work of the moment.”

“Education exists to impart information, shape attitudes and inspire behaviors. It presupposes that there is somewhere worth going, and that the educator has a responsibility — not just a preference — to help get learners there. That’s the work, and it is directional by definition. Of course, educators must be sensitive to who the learner is, but they should not have to choose between fidelity to tradition and responsiveness to students. They have to hold that tension with honesty and integrity.”

“The changes we’ve seen – and continue to see – at the highest ranks of Jewish organizations are the result of years of people openly advocating for and taking concrete steps towards women’s leadership. Those efforts were, and continue to be, essential. But if we’re more concerned about the gender balance on the panel than in the audience, we’re missing most of the story. It’s time to formulate the same wide-scale response to issues of male representation and participation in Jewish spaces.”

“Maimonides Fund, along with others, began engaging with the Haredi community about 10 years ago. Our focus was primarily economic: Israel would not be able to sustain a rapidly growing Haredi population if large numbers of men did not enter the workforce…..We worked with the Haredi community, not against it, strengthening the efforts of those who wanted change — who wanted a brighter future for their children while maintaining a commitment to Torah and a Haredi way of life. But after the war began, it became clear that education alone was not enough. Israel needs Haredi men to serve.”

“Every fraction includes both a numerator and a denominator. If we only focus on the numerator (i.e., the number of professionals entering and staying in those roles) we are leaving out half of the equation. When viewed from this perspective, we can look at the pipeline crisis as what it is: a serious assessment of, and reflection on, the human capital needs of the Jewish community….”

Maimonides Fund is proud to announce the rebranding of its flagship program for creatives, formerly known as the Jewish Writers’ Initiative, to the Jewish Writers Institute. This new name reflects the program’s evolution into a leading institutional home for Jewish storytelling across media platforms, and its commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of Jewish creative talent.

“Directed by Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir (a rare collaboration between an Israeli and an Iranian filmmaker), ‘Tatami’ draws inspiration from the real-life experiences of...

“Israel’s national science teams have concluded the international Olympiad season with an unprecedented haul of 26 medals, including 8 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze,...

“As Jews throughout history prayed for their government, they did so with full understanding that their government was never going to get things quite right....

Maimonides Fund has announced its call for applications for the third cohorts of the Jewish Writers’ Initiative Screenwriters and Digital Storytellers Labs. These year-long fellowships offer substantial support for US-based creative talent developing Jewish-themed projects. Applications are open through May 23, 2025.