Education for Freedom and Responsibility

Freedom and responsibility are the fundamental values upon which Reichman University was founded, guiding its mission to educate and prepare all who enter its gates: the freedom of every individual to pursue their desires, aspirations, and potential, alongside the responsibility for the dignity and well-being of others and for the advancement of society as a whole. These core values are anchored in the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, which highlights respect for human rights and the rule of law, and they serve as the foundation for sustaining a liberal democracy in the country.

The Dean of Student Affairs at Reichman University has partnered with the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility to develop a training program for “Guardians of Freedom and Responsibility.” This program aims to instill the fundamental values on which the State of Israel was founded among three generations of Israelis — children, teenagers and young adults. Its goal is to teach skills, values, and practical knowledge that will enable the younger generations to act as conscious and involved citizens in a democratic state. Through active learning and hands-on experience, participants are prepared for civic literacy, thereby strengthening the common denominator of all citizens of the country. The program cultivates Israelis who are committed to democratic principles and equipped with the will and tools to be engaged, caring, critical, and active members of society.

The program consists of 12 one-and-a-half-hour sessions, delivered by Reichman University students to 10th-grade pupils. As part of the personal commitment required of them to complete their studies, the high school participants then pass on the knowledge to elementary school students in grades 5–6. In this way, the program operates on three levels, instilling skills, values, and knowledge across three population groups — among the university students, who develop and deliver the lesson plans; among the high school students, who undergo the training and then adapt the lessons — together with the university students — for younger learners and deliver them; and finally, among the elementary school pupils, who take part in activities focused on democratic values. Upon the program’s conclusion, all participants are awarded a certificate recognizing them as “Guardians of Freedom and Responsibility.”