Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem received a delegation of 50 educators representing different religious communities in northern Israel on October 15. During the meeting, the teachers spoke about their work and the challenges facing the education sector, according to the press service of the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate.

The delegation was led by Metropolitan Makarios of Acre and Ptolemais. Also attending the meeting were Archpriest Theodosios Mahoulis, head of the community in Kafr Yasif, and Father George Mansour.

Addressing the educators, Patriarch Theophilos emphasized that education helps young people develop independent thinking and learn to distinguish truth from prejudice.

“A teacher is not merely a transmitter of knowledge, but an educator in freedom, a guide for the conscience and a guardian of the values that ensure cultural continuity and the unity of society,” Patriarch Theophilos III said.

The patriarch noted that access to information alone does not guarantee the development of critical thinking. Forming a well-rounded individual also requires personal interaction, the teacher’s example and the cultivation of moral responsibility.

The educators work in northern Israel, a region where schools face both social and security-related challenges. Continued instability along the border with Lebanon has placed additional pressure on the local education system.

In June 2026, teacher shortages and funding difficulties were also discussed by Israel’s parliamentary education committee.

The meeting underscored the importance of educators in fostering critical thinking, moral responsibility and social cohesion, particularly in communities facing persistent uncertainty and challenges.