Shira Banki, a 16-year-old high school student from Jerusalem, was stabbed to death on July 30th, 2015, by a protestor opposing the  Gay  Pride and Tolerance Parade in Jerusalem. Shira marched in this event to express her support for human rights.  Tragically, she paid with her life.

On the first anniversary of the murder, the organization ‘Shira Banki’s Way’ was founded.  “Shira’s Way” creates educational projects that encourage tolerance, peace in the public sphere and an acceptance of the ‘other’. The purpose of the project is to promote a better, value-oriented and balanced Israeli society, that respects each and every person and sees every individual in the context of the whole.

The ‘Teachers’ Lounge’ program was established and had been operating in Jerusalem since 2014. In 2016, the program became a joint venture of Hebrew Union College and ‘Shira Banki’s Way’ and with the blessing of Shira’s parents – Uri and Mika. We renamed the program “The Teachers’ Lounge – in memory of Shira Banki”.