RACCE was named in memory of the first Chief Executive Officer of the Israel Center for Excellence through Education.  From the day of its inception in 1987, Raphi Amram headed the team that founded the Israel Arts and Science Academy which opened in 1990. He passionately believed in the pursuit of educational excellence.

One of the stated objectives of RACCE is to provide expertise in dealing with highly able, talented teenagers through special symposia and teacher training institutes. To serve that goal, the Center for Excellence, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education's Department of Gifted Students, has hosted conferences for more than a decade.  Each conference since 1998 has included the Raphi Amram Memorial Lecture.  

On May 19th, 1998, the first public activity under the Center for Excellence's auspices took place at IASA.  A panel discussion on "Nurturing Excellence Among High School Students: University Tracks Versus Alternative Programs" was convened in conjunction with the Ministry of Education.  Howard Gardner, Professor of Education and co-director of Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, presented the first Raphi Amram Memorial Lecture: "Creativity and Social Responsibility."

Subsequent lectures were given by Prof Lee Shulman and Prof Abraham J. Tannenbaum. Prof Shulman is the President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Professor of Education at Stanford University.  Prof Shulman's Memorial Lecture concerned "Memory and Experience."  It preceded the Ministry of Education's panel discussion: "Does a Gifted Child Need a Gifted Teacher?"

Prof Abraham J Tannenbaum is the Chairperson of our International Guidance Panel and Professor Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. Prof Tannenbaum's Memorial Lecture concerned, "Giftedness:  The Ultimate Instrument for Good and Evil." The Ministry of Education then convened its panel members to discuss, "Values Education and Striving for Excellence." 

2008 Raphi Amram Memorial Lecture - report