Yedidia Stern

Professor and President of the Jewish People Policy Institute

A) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?

Professor Yedidia Stern is one of Israel's leading legal scholars, where he is considered an authority of the highest order. Prof. Stern's uniqueness lies not only in his scholarly breadth but also in his role as a public intellectual, influencing public discourse throughout the Jewish world.
Prof. Stern has dedicated his life to addressing the challenges of Israel as a Jewish state operating within a liberal democracy, while also emphasizing the critical relationship between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. He believes that fostering a deeper, more collaborative bond between Jews in Israel and the Diaspora is essential for the future of Jewish peoplehood, encouraging mutual understanding, shared values, and a sense of collective responsibility. Through his work, Prof. Stern strives to bridge cultural and ideological divides, ensuring that Israel remains not only a homeland for its citizens but also a spiritual and cultural center for Jews worldwide. His projects and initiatives have made a lasting impact on Jewish life worldwide.
In 2020 Prof. Stern assumed the position of President of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), a think tank dedicated to the thriving of the Jewish people, tasked with addressing key issues facing the Jewish world, such as demographic shifts, identity challenges, and Israel-Diaspora relations. Under his guidance, JPPI has become a leading platform for fostering dialogue among Jews from all over the world.
Some of the efforts under Prof. Stern’s leadership at JPPI include:
Jewish World Dialogue: an initiative that convenes Jews from across the globe to discuss critical issues. The Dialogue is a space where Jewish leaders, intellectuals, and laypeople from different locations and denominations can engage in open and constructive conversations. The goal of the initiative is to foster mutual understanding and generate ideas that help bridge longstanding divisions between secular and religious Jews, as well as between Israeli and Diaspora Jews. Past topics have included: The Impact of Antisemitism on Jewish Identity and the State of Israel, The Diaspora and the Nation-State Law, among others. Each year, the project reaches hundreds of participants and conducts around 20 sessions in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
Voice of the Jewish People (Kol Ha’am): As part of Prof. Stern’s vision, he founded the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Information and Consulting Center. The Center utilizes cutting-edge technologies and Israel’s best technological minds to collect, analyze, and disseminate relevant data about Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
One of the Center’s projects is the Voice of the Jewish People, a project that gathers data on the attitudes, opinions, and concerns of Jews around the world. The project combines quantitative and qualitative methods to provide an understanding of how Jews perceive important issues such as identity, Israel-Diaspora relations, and antisemitism. By including Jews from different backgrounds, levels of observance, and geographical regions, the Index offers a comprehensive view of Jewish life today. This project not only provides valuable insights for Jewish leaders but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and collective identity among Jews worldwide.
Geopolitical Group: The Geopolitical group brings together experts in international relations, security, and policy, including CEOs of major Jewish organizations such as: ADL, AIPAC, AJC, and Federations as well as representatives of the American and Israeli governments. The forum explores global developments, regional conflicts, and alliances to provide strategic insights and policy recommendations that enhance relationship between Jerusalem, Washington and American Jewry. The forum aims to strengthen Israel's position in the international arena while fostering stronger connections between Israel and the Diaspora in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Prior to his arrival at JPPI in 2020 Prof. Stern served as a senior fellow at Israel Democracy Institute (IDI). Through his work at IDI, he promoted dialogue between religious and secular communities, advocating for policies that balance religious freedom with the need for a cohesive, democratic society. His ability to navigate these complex issues with sensitivity and insight is a testament to his leadership and his commitment to bridging divides within Israeli society.

B) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?

Prof. Yedidia Stern is one of Israel's leading scholars and teachers in multiple fields of law. Many of his students have gone on to become judges, legal advisors, and top attorneys in Israel.
Prof. Stern was the dean of the Faculty of Law at Bar-Ilan University and successfully transformed the faculty from a small, moderately ranked, and religiously oriented institution into a larger, more open and pluralistic environment. He doubled the size of the faculty, recruited the next generation of top lecturers, and fostered an intellectual culture that embraced diverse perspectives.
In the first month of his deanship, a student from the faculty assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Prof. Stern took a courageous leadership stance and and launched educational and academic initiatives to foster intellectual and emotional reckoning, especially within religious Zionism.
Following the assassination, Prof. Stern became a leading scholar and central thinker in public law, with a focus on sensitive issues like human rights, Judaism, religion and state, Israeli law, and Jewish law.
After completing his tenure as dean, Prof. Stern joined the Israel Democracy Institute as a senior fellow. At IDI, Stern used his extensive legal education, academic and public leadership, and influence to promote tolerant and pluralistic positions within Israeli society. Subsequently, he served as a senior academic advisor to the Knesset's Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, during its deliberations on formulating a constitution for Israel.
In addition to his public work, Prof. Stern is active within the religious Zionist community. He was one of the founders of "Takana Forum," aimed at preventing sexual harassment in the religious community, and played a key role in its establishment and relations with state authorities and leading rabbis.
Since Prof. Stern assumed the presidency of JPPI four years ago, the organization has experienced remarkable growth in both its workforce and budget. Under his leadership, the number of employees has significantly increased, allowing JPPI to expand its capacity and tackle a broader range of initiatives. The budget has grown in parallel, enabling the institute to undertake ambitious new projects that address critical challenges facing the Jewish world, both in Israel and the Diaspora. Some of the areas that have flourished under his leadership are-
Commitment to Building Intellectual and Cultural Bridges:
At the forefront of Prof. Stern’s leadership is his ability to strengthen mutual understanding between vastly different groups. Israel’s society is deeply divided along religious, cultural, and political lines. Prof. Stern’s work emphasizes that Israel’s stability depends not only on its economic and military strength but also on its ability to cultivate shared values and a cohesive national identity that respects diversity.
With the guidance of Prof. Stern, JPPI launched an innovative online academic course titled Israeli Identity: Divided We Stand. This course, aimed at Israeli university students, explores the complexities of Israeli democracy and society. It encourages students to engage with diverse viewpoints on critical issues such as the Law of Return, freedom of expression, and the separation of governmental powers, fostering a deeper understanding of democratic discourse. By presenting facts and expert perspectives without taking political stances, the course promotes intellectual engagement and respect for opposing views.
Addressing Israel’s Foundational Challenges
One of the most significant ways Prof. Stern has shown leadership is through his commitment to addressing Israel’s lack of a formal constitution and comprehensive bill of rights. Prof. Stern understands that the absence of these foundational elements leaves the country vulnerable to internal conflicts and societal fragmentation. To that end, JPPI has initiated the project Toward a Thin Constitution – Stabilizing Israel with Constitutional and Cultural Solutions. The goal of this project is to stabilize Israel by enshrining essential rules governing the branches of government and their interaction, while avoiding divisive cultural issues. This initiative includes educational outreach and public engagement to foster consensus, aiming to create a constitutional framework that strengthens Israel’s democratic system.
Educational Initiatives to Unify Future Generations
Beyond intellectual discourse, Prof. Stern’s commitment to bridging divides is evident in his focus on education. Under his leadership, JPPI has taken on the vital task of reforming Israel’s Civic Studies Curriculum for high school students. In response to the growing rifts within Israeli society, JPPI was selected by the Ministry of Education to design a new, engaging course that addresses both the rights and responsibilities of Israeli citizenship. This curriculum is being implemented across all educational streams—secular, religious, ultra-Orthodox, and Arab—ensuring a uniform approach to teaching civics. The program, blending classroom and online learning with advanced pedagogical techniques, aims to foster responsible citizenship, civic engagement, and a deeper understanding of Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity.
Promoting Jewish Peoplehood
Prof. Stern is leading a groundbreaking initiative to bridge the divide between Israeli and Diaspora Jews by deepening understanding of Jewish Peoplehood. In response to a growing disconnection between Jewish communities worldwide, Prof. Stern's project aims to educate both Israeli youth and Diaspora Jews about their shared heritage and mutual responsibilities. The initiative includes the development of two online courses: one in Hebrew for Israelis, focusing on the significance of Diaspora Judaism, and another in English for Diaspora Jews, highlighting Israel's role in fostering Jewish identity globally. By providing comprehensive content on Jewish history, demographics, and cultural contributions, the courses are designed to enhance solidarity and strengthen Jewish continuity across generations and geographies.

C) How has the nominee's work impacted the Jewish community and beyond?

Prof. Yedidia Stern has significantly expanded JPPI’s influence by transforming it from a traditional think tank into a “think and do” tank. Under his leadership, JPPI has moved beyond providing expert analyses to decision-makers, engaging directly with the public to shape discourse and drive meaningful action. Prof. Stern’s innovative approach includes launching campaigns that promote dialogue across divided sectors of Israeli society, publishing monthly surveys that gauge the sentiments of both Israeli and Diaspora Jews, and ensuring these findings are discussed in the public sphere. His frequent appearances on television, radio, and in op-eds have amplified JPPI’s voice, positioning the institute as a central player in public discussions. Prof. Stern has greatly broadened JPPI’s sphere of influence, allowing the organization to engage directly with the public, encouraging greater unity and understanding within the Jewish community worldwide.
Prof. Stern has redefined leadership at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) by combining his dedication to liberal democratic values with a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars in the Jewish world. Beyond his public influence, Stern is deeply invested in nurturing young scholars, mentoring them to carry forward the work of strengthening Jewish identity and unity. Through his commitment he is working to ensure that JPPI not only influences current policy but also prepares future generations to lead with vision and integrity.
Prof. Stern's comprehensive body of work includes more than 20 books and nearly 60 scholarly articles published in international and local journals. His contributions to the legal and intellectual landscape of Israel have earned him several prestigious awards, including the Zeltner Prize for outstanding legal research (2012).
Prof. Stern also functions as a public intellectual: he regularly publishes essays and articles in Israeli and international media and gives interviews to the press in Israel and abroad on legal and societal issues. His moderate, dialogical, and inclusive voice is essential to Israeli society.
Included is a list of many of his publications.