Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to present you with the autumn 2006 edition of the Mandel Leadership Institute newsletter, the release of which follows a quiet holiday season preceded by a very difficult summer. For the State of Israel and those affiliated with it worldwide, this summer will be remembered for the Second Lebanon War, during which residents of Northern Israel sat in their bomb shelters waiting anxiously to hear the "all clear" siren signifying that they could resume some semblance of normal activity.

For the faculty, staff, Fellows, and graduates of the Mandel Leadership Institute, like countless others in the worlds of Jewish and Israeli education, the summer of 2006 will also be remembered for the sudden loss of Professor Seymour (Shlomo) Fox. For me, the mere mention of his name evokes a sense of a conversation cut off before it had been completed, of issues still not sufficiently explored, of a teacher torn away from us when there was still so much more to learn.

Over the last few months we have had time to mourn the passing of  Professor Fox. As the pain becomes a little less keen, we too try to resume some semblance of normal activity by being receptive to methods in which we can commemorate his memory. At the Mandel Leadership Institute, we feel that the most appropriate way to honor Professor Fox is to attempt to continue his work in a manner that he would have approved of.

Thus you will see showcased in this publication projects that have long been in place and others that are just beginning.  Our programs continue to develop and improve, new ventures are being considered, publications continue to flow from the talented pens of MLI faculty, and  two of our colleagues were honored with the Israel Prize in Education this summer (additional information about these prizes can be found on our refreshed Website www.mli.org.il).  The current academic year is distinguished by fresh activity, all of which has been made possible due to the dedication and hard work of all members of the MLI team. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you personally for your part in making the productivity described here possible and, as always, look forward to working together to achieve ever greater heights.

Dr. Daniel Gordis