Shalom Hartman Institute facts for kids

The Shalom Hartman Institute is a Jewish research and education center in Jerusalem. It teaches about Jewish ideas to scholars, rabbis, teachers, and community leaders. The institute wants to encourage different viewpoints and modern values in Israel and for Jewish people around the world. It also works to keep Israel a democratic country. Many rabbis and Jewish leaders from North America join its programs every year.

History of the Institute

Rabbi Professor David Hartman started the Shalom Hartman Institute in 1971. He and his family moved to Israel from Montreal. Rabbi Hartman's home in Jerusalem became a beit midrash (a place for Jewish study) for young people who liked his ideas. By 1976, the group moved to a local synagogue. This is when the Shalom Hartman Institute officially began, named after Rabbi Hartman's father.

After moving a few times, Teddy Kollek, who used to be the mayor of Jerusalem, helped the institute. He gave them land in the city's "Cultural Mile." This area includes places like the Jerusalem Theater and other cultural centers.

The institute created many programs for teachers, rabbis, and community leaders. Under Rabbi David Hartman and his son, Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, the institute grew a lot. Thousands of people now take part in its programs each year. In 2009, Donniel Hartman became the president. The institute was called "prestigious" in 2010.

The Shalom Hartman Institute's campus has a special research center. Over 50 scholars work there. The campus is also home to the Charles E. Smith High School for Boys, which has more than 350 students. The institute also publishes books on Jewish thought. It holds a big conference every year.

The Shalom Hartman Institute also organizes the Muslim Leadership Initiative. This program invites Muslims from North America to learn about Jewish beliefs and Israel. It helps them understand how Israelis see themselves.

In 2010, Tzipi Livni, a leader in Israel's government, asked the Hartman Institute to help plan a conference. This meeting at the Israeli Knesset (parliament) was about Jewish identity in Israel.

How the Institute is Organized

The Shalom Hartman Institute has a board of directors. It also runs different centers.

Center for Israeli-Jewish Identity

This center helps Israelis learn about different kinds of modern Judaism. It works with high school students and even soldiers in the IDF. The goal is to help Israelis connect with their Jewish heritage. The Be'eri Initiative works with over 50 Israeli high schools. It helps hundreds of teachers and thousands of students.

Shalom Hartman Institute-North America

This part of the institute is led by Yehuda Kurtzer. Its goal is to make Jewish communities in North America stronger. It offers programs and workshops across the United States and Canada.

The institute has a three-year program for rabbis in North America. One rabbi said it was "one of the blessings of my rabbinate."

In 2012, the Shalom Hartman Institute started working with Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus. This program sends Hartman Fellows to college campuses in America. They talk about the Jewish connection to Israel.

Every August, Hartman holds a leadership meeting for students. Universities choose students to attend. They discuss how to become leaders in their Jewish communities on campus.

Board and Supporters

The Shalom Hartman Institute has a board of directors. Some members in 2014–2015 included Robert P. Kogod and Angelica Berrie.

Shalom Hartman Institute-North America is a non-profit group. This means it can accept donations to help its work. There is also a registered charity in Montreal called Canadian Friends of Shalom Hartman Institute.