Israel Advocates or Education Diplomats?
The field of teen immersive experiences in Israel is undergoing a transformation not seen since the introduction of Israel Advocacy over twenty years ago. This is not to say that we have seen the last of Israel Advocacy, but perhaps a next iteration of it or a parallel – strategic track – to it. As…
On Passover – What is YOUR why?
Duality and contradictions are found throughout the Torah, in Jewish life, and Israel’s existence as a people and a nation-state. The…
Leadership, Routine, Renewal
Erica Brown, on her podcast Day 129, discusses renewal and the challenges leaders face when getting stuck in routines and…
Global Zionist Citizenship, A Manifesto
Zionism, initially defined as the national movement of the Jewish People, has made a huge comeback onto Global Jewry’s agenda.…
I’m that kid
I’m that kid that was wild, energetic, uninterested in school and just wanted to have fun. I’m that kid that…
This week’s Torah portion, the beginning of the book of Exodus (Shmot – שמות) describes the realities in Egypt as the Israelites multiply and their presence becomes of national interest, or rather disinterest. In it there is a verse that spells the beginning of the end: ויקם מלך חדש על מצרים אשר לא ידע את…
This week we read about Abraham preferring to greet strangers over his 1:1 w/ Gd. Its quite perplexing & here is the scenario: the previous portion (Lech Lecha) ends with Abraham entering the covenant (circumcision) @ 99 yrs of age. Abe, sitting there in the heat of the desert, in great pain, and Gd shows…
I currently serve as Executive Director at the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMHSI) since October 2013. I am still involved with and manage other projects such as “Caravan for Democracy” promoting constructive dialogue about Israel and the Middle East among college student leaders of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and…
שלום רב, בבואנו לבחור את סוג טקס הנישואין שלנו היה לנו חשוב שהוא יהיה טקס יהודי לכל דבר אך שתתווסף אליו השקפת עולמנו ונגיעתנו האישית. בחיפוש בין הזרמים השונים מצאנו כי הקהילה הקונסרבטיבית מאפשרת לקיים טקס שוויוני ואישי יותר. כמנחה לטקס החתונה בחרנו ברב ליאור סיני ומצאנו אדם אשר חותר להכירנו ולעזור לנו לבנות את…
Tikun Israel the healing of Israel; Isra-el reminds us: “…for you have struggled with Gd and with men, and have prevailed…” (Bereshit/Genesis 32:29). This is the Jewish People’s collective namesake and formula for immortality from time immemorial.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! As if we haven’t been around this block before. Remember destruction and forced exile? Remember the rivers of Babylon? I do and I ain’t goin back. Unfortunately it’s not up to me alone; I need all of you to get along too.