Every morning, Jews begin the day with Modeh Ani — “I am grateful.” Before we even stand up, we start with thanks.

Gratitude is not an afterthought in Jewish life; it is the foundation.

As we approach Thanksgiving, this feels like the perfect moment to extend that same spirit of gratitude toward the people who spend their days helping Jewish communities make sense of the world: our educators.

These past few years have tested everyone, but especially those whose work is to teach, guide, and inspire.

Through the pandemic, through political division, through war and heartbreak, Jewish educators have been our anchors. They have led with compassion and creativity, helping countless individuals find hope and connection — even when our educators themselves were uncertain or struggling.

So this Thanksgiving season, let’s take a collective breath and offer our Modeh Ani to those who are dedicating their lives to help all of us be hopeful, persevere and grow in our Judaism. 

Choosing Hope, Again and Again

Teaching is, at its core, a profession that is grounded in hope — in the fundamental belief that the world can and will be better, and that people can grow, communities can heal, and the future is worth investing in.

It’s what drives our teachers, rabbis, youth leaders, camp counselors, and everyone who spends their days trying to inspire and uplift others.

As Pam Cohen, Director of Family Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and a graduate of our M² programs, shared with me, “The biggest way to combat antisemitism and Jewish division is to focus on Jewish joy. When we make Jewish concepts accessible and fun and meaningful, we can create more entry points for people to get involved.”

And that joy takes many forms.

Maybe you’ve joined a Tot Shabbat at your synagogue, sung along at a musical Havdalah with your community, joined a Torah learning circle, or watched a child return from camp beaming with new friendships. Each of those moments — simple yet powerful — reflects the hope our educators bring to Jewish life.

So this week, take a moment to thank an educator who created a moment of joy or meaning for you. Their hope is what sustains our people. 

Persevering with Purpose and Intention

Hope may be the foundation, but perseverance is the practice.

Jewish educators have weathered some of the hardest years imaginable, and they’ve done so with remarkable resolve. Through uncertainty, exhaustion, and change, they continue to show up with intention: creating, adapting, and leading with purpose.

Every lesson plan, every youth group activity, every Shabbat discussion is built on intention, designed to spark meaning, joy, and connection. Or, where there is a divide, to build a bridge. 

So this week, take a moment to thank the educator who kept going, who adapted, listened, and found new ways to reach their students when the world felt upside down. Their perseverance is what keeps Jewish learning alive and sacred.

Teaching Through Their Own Pain

Educators today aren’t just teaching from the sidelines. They lead in a world that is not siloed. They wake up to the same headlines, carry the same fears, and face the same familial divisions caused by a society that is polarized and war-torn. 

As Rachel Meytin, a Jewish Day School teacher from Rockville, MD, and another M² program graduate, observed, “Educators are also trying to figure out how to respond to the emotional trauma of the past few years, and to the actual, literal fear for safety and health so many Jews feel today.” 

Still, they find the space to prioritize others.

To teach in such a world is to navigate constant complexity, to guide learners while quietly managing one’s own heart. It is not self-sacrifice; it is a calling. The ability to stay centered on one’s students while holding so much else is truly one of the quiet miracles of education. 

So this week, take a moment to thank the educator who showed up with empathy when you needed it most, who offered calm in a time of chaos, or simply reminded your family that you weren’t alone.  

Keeping Judaism as Our Compass

In moments of uncertainty, our educators remind us where to turn. They draw from Torah, tradition, and centuries of Jewish thought not as a retreat into the past, but as a guide for the present.  

These teachings anchor the soul. Educators play such an important role in showing us how to access these living sources of resilience and wisdom that continue to guide us forward. They remind us that learning Jewishly means engaging deeply — with questions, with conscience, and with one another.

So this week, take a moment to thank the educator who helped you or your children find grounding in Jewish learning, who brought light to difficult conversations or connection to a fractured moment, or who inspired you in either the past or present. Their ability to make ancient wisdom feel relevant today is what keeps our people steady and our story moving forward.

Shuki is the founder and CEO of M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. Previously, Shuki served as director of Service Learning and Experiential Education at Yeshiva University, where he founded the Certificate Program in Experiential Jewish Education and a range of programs mobilizing college students to serve underprivileged communities worldwide. Shuki has lived in Israel, New York, and South Africa. A Schusterman Fellow, Shuki studied Jewish philosophy, education, and scriptwriting and currently lives in Jerusalem with his wife and their four children.