Heroism and Hope Interest Form
Heroism and Hope: Recharging Israel Education in a Post-October 7 World is an essential book on Israel education. Dr. David Bryfman, CEO of The Jewish Education Project, challenges educators to move beyond advocacy toward something deeper: moral clarity, emotional honesty, resilience, and hope. Israel education is not about producing foot soldiers or imposing beliefs; it is about helping Jews understand who they are, where Israel fits into their lives, and how to live with the complexity of their identity rather than fear it.
“In Heroism and Hope, Dr. David Bryfman zeros in on a key factor that shapes our comprehension and worldview like no other: education. ...I am confident this book will enrich the important conversations beginning to take place since, concerning the scope and particularly the focus of Israel education, and I am sincerely encouraged by the vision its author presents."
--President Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel
In a post-October 7 world, many of us are asking urgent questions: How do we teach Israel honestly? How do we hold grief and complexity without collapsing into slogans or silence? How do we help learners build Jewish identity and resilience when the ground has shifted?
Drawing on personal journeys, educator voices, and decades of experience, Bryfman offers an accessible guide to this moment, an invitation to engage the essential questions Israel education now demands. Heroism and Hope challenges reactive, crisis-driven approaches and calls for proactive, values-driven education rooted in humanity and hope, where personal stories and diverse perspectives are welcomed.
At its heart, Heroism and Hope empowers educators as moral guides and reimagines Israel education as a space for meaning-making, relationship, and enduring Jewish connection.
Dr. David Bryfman is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Jewish Education Project, a national leader in innovating Jewish education and supporting educators. An internationally recognized speaker and writer, David offers expertise on Israel education, the trends of Jewish education today, and the innovations necessary to shape Jewish education tomorrow. David earned his Doctorate from NYU in Education and Jewish Studies, and is an alum of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship and Schusterman Fellowship. David is a founder of the annual Jewish Futures conference and helped direct the landmark GenZ Now study on Jewish teens. David is also an Adjunct Fellow at the Z3 Institute and hosts the weekly podcast “Adapting: The Future of Jewish Education,” where he explores pressing topics with expert guests.