Dear friends,
My heart is full of pride and gratitude for the privilege and opportunity I have had in establishing and leading OFEK with such a dedicated and talented team. After three years, during which time OFEK has changed the world of Jewish education in the diaspora, I am leaving the role that has become my home. Today, as this home stands solid and strong on its own feet, the time is right for me to establish and lead a new educational initiative in the world of Jewish education.
I have two daughters, so I personally understand the challenge of ensuring and preserving their Hebrew language ability, maintaining and enriching their connection to Israel and enabling their learning about Judaism in the diaspora. It's no easy task!
Although my husband and I were able to send our daughters to a Jewish day school, I always think about people who can't afford to send their children to such a school. What does someone do if they want their children to learn Hebrew or about Israeliness but there is no school or teacher in their area, or not enough money for a private tutor, or they can't drive because it's just too far, or they work, or any one of a thousand other obstacles for the next generation of children?
Current statistics show that the younger generation's connection to Israel, to Hebrew, and to Judaism is steadily declining. Many of our children are losing their Jewish and Israeli identities due to lack of knowledge and access to information about the vibrant State of Israel.
Compounding this situation is the growing antisemitism in the U.S. and the lack of tools that the younger generation has to contend with and combat this phenomenon.
So how can we address these problems? Knowledge is power!
"Online" education has many advantages! Here at OFEK, we have created the world's leading Jewish educational platform that has transcended traditional boundaries. From a project that was only supposed to run for the first five weeks of the pandemic, with just a few Hebrew classes, we have now become an online study powerhouse that continues to expand, even after many people have returned to their pre-pandemic lives.
More than 5,600 students from all over the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel, and even Australia and Japan have participated in OFEK programs.
Our students include Jews, Israelis, and friends of Israel, from age 6 to our oldest student who this year celebrated his 100th birthday.
OFEK has offered more than 670 courses via various platforms where more than 100 outstanding teachers and lecturers have provided cutting-edge online classes.
Many organizations, synagogues, day-schools, and high schools benefit from the rich diversity of the unique courses we provide. We have established partnerships with universities, museums, and numerous other institutions. We teach Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish enrichment content, Holocaust education, bar/bat mitzvah programs, parents' courses and provide a fantastic teacher education program.
But OFEK has done more than just offer classes – we have created a community – local and online support groups – that enhance the ties, the learning, and connection to the language and to Jewish and Israeli sources. And it's all so simple and accessible – all you need to do is turn on the computer. Outside the confines of physical boundaries there is an entire world filled with knowledge and a sense of community waiting for our students.
Being present in classes, meeting you – the students – and taking in the experience of learning and creating an online community together with you has been exciting and inspiring.
You are probably asking yourselves why I am leaving such an innovative project. I am leaving with the knowledge that OFEK is in devoted and professional hands and will continue to grow, develop, and change the world of Jewish education in the diaspora every day.
I leave with great pride and gratitude to the extraordinary team at OFEK, both past and present, and to the wonderful IAC organization and all its employees led by the CEO Shoham Nicolet, that placed its trust in me and invested significant resources to bring this project to fruition. We have realized its vision – to bring Israel into every home.
"He who cares for days sows wheat; who cares for years plants trees; who cares for generations educates people" (Janusz Korczak). May you all go on to educate yourselves with the knowledge that fills your souls.
My heart is filled with pride and gratitude for your belief in OFEK.
Yours,
Sharona Israeli-Roth
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