4 Tuesdays: April 18, 25; May 2, 9 | 7:00 pm Eastern time
The fifth in our series of Jewish Literacy modules!
Israel, now? Yes, now more than ever. In light of the struggles for Israeli identity that have been unfolding in her streets over the past few months - and marking the 75th anniversary of her Independence (April 26 on the Jewish calendar; May 14 on the secular calendar) - it’s crucial for us to understand Israel’s origins, foundation story, and the seeds of her problems as well as her astonishing successes.
Why is there a State of Israel? How did it come into being? How do we tell Israel’s story? What religious meaning, if any, should Israel have for Jews today?
We’ll explore some of the founding documents and thinkers who brought the State of Israel into being. We won’t be able to answer every conundrum about contemporary Israel, but we will strive to understand why and how Israel represents a tremendous chapter of Jewish history, and what the implications of Zionism are for Jewish life everywhere in 2023. All are welcome: If you’re confused about how to articulate Israel’s foundational story amidst the current maelstrom, this series is for you.
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