Israel

The Israel Committee initiates programs and disseminates information about all aspects of Israeli society and culture and their implications for long-term peace and prosperity. Among the Israel-related programming and discussion sessions with Israelis that we sponsor was the recent energy-filled Israel Shabbaton. We encourage Temple members to participate with us and give input into ways we can explore the topic of Israel.

Contact the Israel Committee co-chairs.
Israel Committee with speakers at 2011 Shabbaton. (Photo: Sharon Solomon)

Courses

Lectures

Shabbatons

Israel Features and Resources

Course:

Understanding Israeli Society through Films
Sunday evenings: February 26, March 11 and 25 from 7–9 PM
In a very special 3-session course at Temple Shir Tikvah, Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz will use Israeli films to help us understand nuances within Israeli society. Using scenes from well-known films, Rabbi Eliana will apply the lens of wealth and poverty — the growing range of socio-economic backgrounds in Israel, and she will explore how, through film, artists criticize and try to affect social justice in Israel.
Each course session will focus on a particular aspect of Israeli film:

Center and Periphery in Israeli Society — how cities, small towns, kibbutzim and settlements are portrayed.
Religious and Secular Life.

Non-Jews — how Christian and Muslim Arabs, as well as Druze and various other nationals (including refugees and seasonal workers) are depicted.

Please register by sending your check for $36 to the Temple office.
Rabbi Eliana is Assistant Rabbi at Temple B’nai Brith in Somerville and a teacher at Temple Shir Tikvah’s Religious School. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, she was ordained at Hebrew College in June 2010. Rabbi Eliana guided us through Israeli poetry and media during our last two Shabbatons.

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Lecture:

Democratic Transition in the Middle East: Implications for Israel?
Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Political scientist Shaheen Mozaffar offered spritely insights into the back stories of the news articles we read everyday, summarizing the forces vying for power in Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and other countries in Israel's neighborhood. Hosted by the Israel Committee, this lecture is free of charge. For questions, please contact Israel@shir-tikvah.org. See the flyer.

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Shabbatons:

Second Annual Israel Shabbaton! A Shabbat Learning and Sharing Experience
Friday evening, October 28, 2011 during Shabbat services and Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 9 AM – 3 PM

Building on the success of the first annual Israel Shabbaton, this year’s speakers and workshops furthered our understanding of modern Israel and the challenges our Jewish homeland faces.

If you would like to further research the topics discussed at our Shabbaton, please visit the following sites which were provided by our speakers:
Links:

Flyer

First Israel Shabbaton “Exceeded Expectations!”

Over 125 people participated in the Temple’s first Israel Shabbaton in October, 2010. Designed as a Shabbat learning experience to give us insight into modern Israel, the Israeli speakers and workshops focused on the challenges Israel faces in its identity, demographics, economy, and relations with its Arab citizens.

“The Shabbaton was a great success,” declared Rabbi Rim afterward. Other participants’ comments included “Excellent program,” “Well-chosen speakers and topics,” “Meals were extraordinary.”

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Israel Features and Resources
Updated twice a month.