UnitEd Sends Teddy Bear Dubi Across European Jewish Schools
An Israeli-passport teddy bear named Dubi is traveling between Jewish schools in Europe to connect students across borders.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Judaism
UnitEd has launched an educational initiative in which a teddy bear named Dubi, carrying an Israeli passport and a travel journal, moves between Jewish schools in Europe. Dubi has visited schools in Budapest, Warsaw, Bucharest and London, and its next stop is Barcelona.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses the geographic isolation of Jewish schools across Europe, where most Jewish communities have only one Jewish school. It aims to strengthen students' sense of belonging to the wider Jewish community worldwide.
Dubi carries an Israeli passport that students stamp during visits, and all activities with the bear are conducted in Hebrew. Students write letters and add drawings to a travel journal documenting the bear's journey.
The players
UnitEd
UnitEd is the organization that launched the educational initiative sending the teddy bear Dubi between Jewish schools in Europe.
Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism
The Israeli government ministry that partners with UnitEd on the initiative and focuses on connections with Jewish communities abroad and efforts against antisemitism.
The details
Dubi joins students in classrooms, takes part in school activities and participates in Kabbalat Shabbat before being sent to the next school. The program is run in partnership with Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.
Timeline
Oct. 7, 2023: Hamas-led attack on Israel, which shaped challenges facing Jewish communities
Early November 2026: Dubi appears at the Netaim Conference in Prague
Diaspora Connections
The initiative extends the work of Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism into direct student exchanges between schools. It applies a tangible, classroom-level approach to the ministry's broader goal of linking Jewish communities outside Israel.
Students in Jewish schools across Europe gain direct, personal connection to peers in other countries through Dubi's visits and shared journal. Families and educators may find the model useful for bridging isolation in communities with few Jewish schools.
The takeaway
Connecting isolated Jewish schools through shared experiences can help students feel part of a larger community, even across great distances. Schools seeking similar exchanges can start with shared journals and letter-writing between classrooms.
Further reading
For more on Jewish community life and traditions, explore Judaism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ynetnews.
