Posts Tagged ‘People of Israel’
The Global Jewish-Israel Syntheses Imagine: We Are All Israeli
I was thinking, growing up, my world was a tapestry of hyphenated identities. There was my Russian-American friend, my Italian-American neighbor, my Chinese-American classmate, my Polish-American cousin, and my African-American neighbor. Each wore their heritage proudly, their identities anchored in the lands from which their ancestors came. But I was simply Jewish-American. And increasingly, I’ve…
Read MoreThe Miracle of Persistence: Lessons from a People Who Refuse to Disappear
In an age when entire civilizations have risen and fallen, when empires have crumbled to dust and languages have vanished into silence, there exists a phenomenon that challenges our understanding of historical inevitability. Am Yisrael, The Jewish People, represent something unprecedented in human experience: a small nation that has not merely survived but has advanced,…
Read MoreIsra-el: Struggling with Purpose – An Educational Framework
Key aspects of this new framework include: The article frames this approach as “new-old” – drawing from ancient traditions and biblical sources while applying them to contemporary educational challenges, particularly in the context of modern Israel and post-October 7th realities. Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Experiential Learning Transmission of Jewish continuity and Israel connectivity…
Read MoreA Passover Letter: From Sinai to Zion
As we prepare for this year’s Passover Seder, we reflect on the profound journey from slavery to freedom that defines our people. The Exodus story resonates deeply today as we witness the eternal struggle between darkness and light that has followed the Jewish people throughout history. Duality and Contradictions Duality and contradictions are found throughout…
Read MoreAm Yisrael Chai: It’s not a slogan, it is a way of life
I remember growing up as a kid in Brooklyn singing the Am Yisrael Chai chant, we’d sing it with great excitement and with great pride. And then I remember myself as a young adult, growing into my career as a professional Jew working for various nonprofits, always ending my talks, and my social media posts,…
Read MoreTikun Israel precedes Tikun Olam
A New-Old Approach At this very moment Am Yisrael finds itself at an intersection of existential proportions. October 7th, 2023 isn’t just any day, it is the day. It is the day when the People of Israel, Global Jewry, came to question their existence, again. How did we get here? Years of political instability and…
Read MoreThere is a time for everything, now is the time to stay alive
There is no doubt that we, here in Israel, need to go through some process of cheshbon nefesh, self-reflection, reconnecting with our principals for humanity and seeing the sanctity of life in all that we do. We can discuss politics, society and the educational system – all of which require serious thought & consideration. My…
Read MoreSeeds of diplomacy: The Children of Israel then and now
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…
Read MoreIsrael, part III – what’s it gonna be?
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.
Read MoreJewish Memory and Revelations
Living a Jewish life means living within a particular framework of rituals and experience, values and memories (i.e. we were slaves in Egypt) and guidelines (Jewish Law). Passover, a microcosm of Jewish life, requires a set of guidelines in preparation of the festival including the cleaning of “Hametz”, dietary constraints and of course the ‘Seder’…
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