The following message was given by Tomer at last week's Village Way conference in Tel Aviv which brought together hundreds of educators across Israel. The theme of the conference was "Superhero Educators: Restoring the Spirit of Israeli Society."
Eighteen years ago, when Dr. Chaim Peri and the late Haim Rubovitch, z"l, the first Executive Director of Village Way Educational Initiatives, began to bring the Village Way to schools, youth villages, and educational communities across Israel, I believe even they could not have foreseen the tremendous impact we’ve achieved today. They knew they wanted to transform Israel's education system, but they might not have imagined that nearly two decades later, so many educators would be walking this path with us—helping to create supportive community environments for at-risk youth across Israel.
From the beginning, our founders and the dedicated team at Village Way, along with our friends at ImpactIsrael, recognized that true change would depend on our partnerships with educators. These are the individuals who choose, every day, to guide young people marginalized by society and help them discover their strengths, and learn to believe in themselves. Our goal has always been to ensure that these young people can transition into adulthood with the skills they need to integrate successfully into society as confident, contributing citizens.
Our strategic approach has focused on investing in educational teams—training, supporting, and empowering them. When I look back on the past 18 years and see how many partners have joined us—tens of thousands of educators who have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of students—I'm filled with pride in what we've already accomplished, and eager to face the challenges that lie ahead.
This year has been one of the most difficult periods in Israel’s history. We've faced internal divisions, followed by a war against ruthless external threats—a time of loss and grief that has impacted nearly every household. These events have shaken our sense of security and stability, especially for the youth we serve. Yet, amid the pain, we've witnessed incredible courage, generosity, and unity—acts of kindness and solidarity that reflect the very best of Israeli society.
In times of uncertainty, it's vital to remember our strengths and craft a vision for the future. The Village Way philosophy centers on two guiding principles: "Tikkun HaLev"—Mending the Heart, and "Tikkun Olam"—Mending the World. A few months after October 7, poet Maya Tabet Dayan wrote about the "Levavaim" (Hearteners), describing them as follows:
"A 'Leva'vai' (Heartener) describes a person who assists in the healing process of collective heartbreak in society. The term refers to someone whose actions, words, or deeds bring comfort, emotional support, and hope to a community or society that has endured trauma or pain. A 'Leva'vai' represents the ability of one person to bring light and healing to many hearts and to help cope with shared emotional pain and suffering."
It’s no coincidence that this year’s conference theme was “Reclaiming the Spirit,” with educators celebrated as the true heroes. Each of you is a "Leva'vai," contributing to the healing of our collective heartbreak—whether Jew or Arab, religious or secular, men or women, from all corners of Israel. What unites us is our shared belief in the transformative power of education and our commitment to healing and building a better future through it. Please know that you are not alone—we stand with you, ready to support you in any way we can.
I will conclude with a few thank you notes. Thank you to all the educators who walk the Village Way with us—this conference is for you and in your honor. Thank you ImpactIsrael—our Friends Association in the U.S.—and to our partners in Israel and abroad. Your support makes this vital work possible. And last but not least, thank you to the members of our board and the entire wonderful and talented Village Way team for their dedication and tireless work throughout the year.
Together, we are making a difference, one step at a time.