Israel-Politics
Featured: Tikkun Olam Resources in Israel
A list of web links to Israeli groups working in these fields: Civil and Human Rights Organizations; Peace Movements and Organizations; Dialogue Groups; Coexistence Projects
Topics: Israel-Politics, Tikkun Olam Type: Bibliography
A Guide to Talking About Israel in Your Congregation
Recognizing that communal dialogue about Israel is often challenging, this guide aims to help congregations facilitate open and honest conversations about Israel. The guide addresses the kinds of issues and concerns that make these conversations challenging and provides suggestions for how to overcome some of these issues.
Topics: Congregational Development, Education, Israel-Politics, Jewish Life, Teaching Israel Type: Community Discussion Guide
Examining Justifications for the State of Israel
In this dvar-Torah for Parashat Shoftim, Syd Nestel using Deuteronomy's description of an idealized Israelite society as a jumping point for examining modern justifications for the State of Israel.
Topics: Divrei Torah, Israel-Politics, Israel: Culture, Jewish Life, Jewish Thought Type: Dvar Torah
A Version of Israel's Secular Shabbat -- Via a Song
A Shabbat song that is secular? By studying Tirtzah Atar's "Shabbat Baboker" students of all ages learn about the experience of Shabbat by non-Orthodox Israelis with the help of a popular Israeli children's song.
Topics: Art and Music, Israel-Politics Type: Lesson Plan
Hope, If Not Optimism for Israel's Future
This article from Reconstructionism Today by Rabbi Amy Klein contemplates Israel's future.
JRF 2004 Israel Task Force Report, Excerpts and Full Versions
Accepted by the JRF Board at the JRF Convention
Topics: Israel-Politics, Reconstructionism Today, Reconstructionist History, Philosophy and Theology Type: RT Article
Yom Ha'Atzma'ut Program for Pre-K Students and Families
This self-guided tour of Israel for four- to five-year-olds and their families uses games, art and science. It comes from Oseh Shalom Religious School in Laurel, MD.
Zionism And Communal Covenant: A Reconstructionist Approach To Essential Jewish Principals
In 2004, the JRF Israel Policies Task Force issued a report calling for a recommitment to Zionism. This excerpt from that report explores Kaplan's definition of "New Zionism." It also discusses how a communal covenant could strengthen the relationships among the Reconstructionist community, Israel and the broader Jewish community.
Three Alternative Versions of the Prayer for the State of Israel
Jewish communities, in Israel and abroad, pray for the State of Israel, peace in the Middle East, a stable government that will keep its citizens safe, a flourishing economy and more. It is customary to add a prayer for Israel at the end of the Shaharit (morning) service. These three versions reflect the range of hopes that communities have for Israel.
Topics: Education, Israel-Politics, Jewish Life, Jewish Practice, Ritual Life and Music, Teaching Liturgy Type: Ritual
Unmasking Contemporary Israeli Heroines
From Esther and Vashti to Knesset Member Shulamit Aloni, Israel has a long history of strong Jewish women. Here are biographies of seven contemporary female Israeli heroines.
