The Hope Study:
Findings, Implications & Resources

Ilana Gleicher-Bloom is a seasoned Jewish educator with 20 years of experience fostering inclusive, pluralistic learning environments where every individual can access and engage with Torah.

She holds a B.A. in Judaic Studies (NEJS) and Literature from Brandeis University and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Melamdim Teacher Education Program at the Hartman Institute and Tel Aviv University. After completing her training, Ilana taught Talmud and Tanakh at the Heschel High School in New York and Rochelle Zell Jewish High School in the Chicago area.

In 2015, she developed an innovative model for congregational education, leading to the creation of Mensch Academy, the religious school of Mishkan Chicago. Her contributions to Jewish education were recognized in 2018 when she received the Pomegranate Prize from the Covenant Foundation, honoring emerging leaders in the field.

In 2021, Ilana moved to Jerusalem with her husband and three children, where she served as the Director of Experiential Education at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

In her free time, Ilana enjoys reading as many books as possible, drinking coffee, and exploring the streets of Jerusalem with her family.

Clare Goldwater is a Jewish educator and leadership coach with expertise in professional and organizational development and experiential education. Working in close partnership with a wide range of organizations,  Clare oversees the development, dissemination of M²’s approach and ideas about experiential Jewish education, through consulting projects to Jewish organizations, publications, curricula materials, and more. Clare has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, an MA in Jewish Education from Hebrew University, and a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University. She also holds passports from those three countries and lives in Jerusalem with her family.

Dr. Maor Shani is M²’s Director of Research and Evaluation. A social psychologist, Maor brings a deep commitment to understanding how identity, belonging, and intergroup dynamics shape human development. His work bridges academic rigor and real-world impact, having led research and evaluation for initiatives promoting empathy, tolerance, and social cohesion. Prior to joining M², he served as a lecturer and researcher at Osnabrück University in Germany.

Maor holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences and is based in Rehovot.