Israel Resources from JRF Resources Library
- Article: American Jewish Public Affairs And Israel: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
By Martin Raffel
An article exploring the organized American Jewish community's public affairs involvement with Israel. Taken from the Israel at 50 issue of the The Reconstructionist, Spring 1998.
- Article: Guidelines For Successful Israel Education
By Susan A. Ticker
This page presents some findings about the design of successful Israel education programs in North America. Each of its thirteen guidelines, such as Articulate and Integrate, are words which end in "-ate". They are an English language wordplay on the Hebrew word "et", meaning "time", which figures so prominently in the opening quotation from Kohelet. The overall theme is that "taking the time to make it real" can pay off in more compelling Israel educational programming.
- Article: Interpreting Jewish History In Light Of Zionism
By Rabbi Jacob Staub
An examination of how Zionist readings of Jewish history affect the way that the meaning of the Jewish past and present is interpreted. Published as a part of the Israel at 50 issue of The Reconstructionist, Spring 1998.
- Article: Israel And Identity Building: Educating American Jews About Israel
By Elan Ezrachi
An article examining the role Israel plays in American Jewish identity construction. Ezrachi argues that American Jews are deeply attached to Israel on an emotional level, yet are detached from Israel on cognitive and behavioral levels. He suggests that it is likely that as time passes this emotional attachment will wane and it is to the benefit of both Israelis and Americans to develop ways to create and strengthen American connections to Israel in both emotional and behavioral realms. Taken from the Israel at 50 issue of The Reconstructionist, Spring 1998.
- Article: Israel And The Diaspora: A Reconstructionist Reconsideration Of Zionism
By Dr. David Teutsch
An exploration of a contemporary Reconstructionist understanding of Zionism, from the Israel at 50 issue of The Reconstructionist, Spring 1998.
- Article: Next Year In Jerusalem?
By Leslie Brenner, Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
An article and dicussion questions reflecting on possible interpretations of the phrase that ends the Passover seder: "L'shanah haba'ah biyerushalayim -- Next Year in Jerusalem."
- Article: Religion And Democracy In Israel
By Rabbi Jack Cohen
This article, taken from the Israel at 50 issue of The Reconstructionist (Spring, 1998), is an altered form of a paper that was delivered in 1995 before the Rainbow Club, a Jewish-Christian theological discussion group that meets monthly in Jerusalem.
- Article: The Balcony
By Ruth Calderon
Throughout 2005, in honor of the 350th anniversary of Jewish life in America, Israeli Ruth Calderon shared her observations about living as an Israeli in America and her perceptions on the complexity of American Jewish identity. Moving acrostically through the alphabet, Calderon offers American Jews an opportunity to view their everyday experiences through an Israeli prism. The following excerpts on "America," "Flag," "Jerusalem," and "Zionism," are reprinted with permission from Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility.
- Article: Who Is A Reconstructionist Jew?
By JRF
A detailed description of the ideology, philosophy and practice of Reconstructionist Jews and their relation to the larger Jewish community, past, present and future.
- Article: Zionism After Israel: Some Modest Proposals
By Deborah Dash Moore
An article envisioning how we might redefine Zionism for the 21st century. Taken from the Israel at 50 Issue of The Reconstructionist, Spring 1998.
- Bibliography: Israel And Zionism Selected Bibliography
By Israel Policies Task Force
An extensive bibliography on Israel and Zionism, excerpted from the JRF Israel Policies Task Force Report (2004).
- Bibliography: Keeping Informed About Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
A fairly comprehensive list of media, government and non-profit sources of information about Israel on the internet.
- Bibliography: Tikkun Olam Resources In Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
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
- Class Activity: Flag And Graffiti: A Photo Lesson About Israel
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Students study a photo taken in Jerusalem of a street sign whose Arabic letters have been crossed out by graffiti. Tough questions help students to consider difficult questions about living in a Jewish state.
- Class Activity: Hebrew Slaves And Israeli Foreign Workers
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Torah text and newspaper articles draw connections between contemporary Israeli foreign workers and ancient Hebrew slaves. Includes discussion questions and links to Israeli human rights organizations' websites.
- Class Activity: Israeli Women's Social Change Organizations
By Rabbi Amy Klein
After reading through a selection of Israeli social change organizations that demonstrate how diverse Israeli women are advancing the status of their peers, students are invited to learn about what's happening close to home by interviewing representatives of local organizations.
- Class Activity: Laws Protecting Women's Rights In Israel And In Your Country
By Rabbi Amy Klein
This activity gives a couple examples of progressive legislation that protects women's rights in Israel and asks students to research laws that were recently passed in their own countries, as well as proposing some of their own.
- Class Activity: Plant Trees And Protect Wildlife
By Rabbi Amy Klein
An activity from the Jerusalem Bird Observatory explaining how trees support wildlife and inviting kids to collect tzedakah to plant a tree locally.
- Class Activity: Trees Of The Bible
By Rabbi Amy Klein
This is an activity from the Jerusalem Bird Observatory that gives a list of biblical references to different trees and sends kids out into the field to find trees in their own neighborhoods.
- Community Discussion Guide: A Guide To Talking About Israel In Your Congregation
By Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Recognizing that communal dialogue about Israel can often be challenging, this guide aims to help congregations engage in open and honest conversations about Israel. The guide addresses the kinds of issues and concerns that make these conversations challenging, suggests how to overcome some of these issues, and provides several sample exercises to use to help facilitate these conversations.
- Dvar Torah: Adjusting to New Narratives
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
This dvar-Torah looks at the idea of the role of changing narrative in human experience. "There arose a Pharoah who knew not Joseph" is compared to the demise of the kibbutz movement as we know it and how we make meaning of this change. It's looked at through the personal experience and a recent trip of the author.
- Dvar Torah: Examining Justifications for the State of Israel
By Syd Nestel
In this dvar-Torah for Parashat Shoftim, Syd Nestel using Deuteronomy's description of an idealized Israelite society as a jumping point for examing modern justifications for the State of Israel.
- Essay: "All Things Considered" Israel commentary
By Janice Fine
This is a transcript of Janet Fine's comments about Israel that were originally broadcast in NPR's "All Things Considered" in April 2002. She tells her story of daring to speak out against the Jewish mainstream in support of both the creation of a Palestinian state and the continued liberation of the Jewish people.
- Essay: Reflection on My Recent Trip to Israel
By Rabbi Moti Rieber
Moti Rieber, who lived in Israel for four years in the mid-to-late 1990s, reflects on his trip to Israel with the JRF Leadership Mission in January 2002 and reports on pessimism, the peace process and suffering on all sides.
- Essay: Reflections on the JRF 2002 Leadership Mission to Israel
By Dr. David Teutsch
Rabbi David A Teutsch, President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, writes of his journey on the January 2002 JRF Leadership Mission to Israel, meeting the RRC students there, some remarkable achievements, and how we are working to strengthen our relationships with Israel.
- FAQ: "How Can I Support Israel When I Don't Like The Way Israel Has Treated The Palestinians?"
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Moti Rieber, Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
Answers this common question by explaining the importance of continuing to love someone (or something) who sometimes does things we don't like. Can also apply to issues of religious pluralism or other areas where we are disappointed with what happens in Israel.
- FAQ: Reconstructionists Educators' Frequently Asked Questions On Israel
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Moti Rieber, Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
Excerpts from the Reconstructionist Educators' Frequently Asked Questions. Provides sample answers to questions related to Reconstructionist attitudes towards Israel, and as well as questions dealing with Palestinian - Israeli relations.
- FAQ: What Is The Reconstructionist Attitude Toward Israel?
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Moti Rieber, Rabbi Jeffrey Schein
A description of the Reconstructionist perspective on Israel, from the Reconstructionist Education's Frequently Asked Questions.
- Lesson Plan: A Version Of Israel's Secular Shabbat -- Via A Song
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
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.
- Lesson Plan: Herzl Play, Monologue And Activities For Grades 4-7
By Gabrielle S. Kaplan-Mayer
A monologue, dramatic scene, and activities on the life of Herzl to make the heroes of Israel's history come alive, commissioned by the JRF-NY Israel Education Project.
- Lesson Plan: Jewish Planes: A Photo Lesson About Israel
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
A lesson adaptable for grades 1 to adult that asks students to examine emotionally and intellectually the existence of a Jewish national airline which displays the Star of David prominently
- Lesson Plan: Yonatan Gefen's "How Is A Song Born?"
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
Learn what Israeli singer/songwriter Yonatan Gefen has to say about what it is like to write a song. In a wonderful meditation on creativity, Gefen attempts to describe what songwriting feels like. Artists, no matter what age, will relate. Hebrew lyrics, translation, and questions for discussion included.
- Other: Unmasking Contemporary Israeli Heroines
By Rabbi Amy Klein
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 heroes.
- Policy: Zionism And Communal Covenant: A Reconstructionist Approach To Essential Jewish Principals
By Israel Policies Task Force
This piece is an excerpt from the JRF Israel Policies Task Force Report (2004). The section presented outlines the task force's call for a recommitment to Zionism on the part of the JRF. It explores defining Kaplan's 'New Zionism' for the 21st century, as well as how we might use the concept of communal covenant to strengthen the relationships between the Reconstructionist community, Israel and the broader Jewish community.
- Program Description: Israel In Our Lives: Life-Long Learning About The Land Of Israel
By Steve Burnstein
A curriculum for Israel education from early childhood through old age. Burnstein encourages people of all ages to connect to the Land of Israel through language, liturgy, song, trips and relationships.
- Ritual: Israeli Independence Day Ceremony
By Rabbi Rebecca Lillian
A service for Yom Ha'atzma'ut with celebratory and memorial components through readings, poetry and song.
- Ritual: Three Alternative Versions Of The Prayer For The State Of Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
The traditional Prayer for the State of Israel troubles many people with its messianic references. Here are three alternatives from JRF, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism and the Shtibl Minyan of Los Angeles.
- RT Article: America in Israeli Eyes - After September 11
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Dealing with terrorism in two societies
- RT Article: And the Winner Is...
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Electoral advertising in Israel
- RT Article: Building the Amuta L'Yahadut Mithadeshet in Israel
By Anna Rosenfield
Anna Rosenfield's argument that Israel is a place where Reconstructionism can thrive because of core Reconstructionist values is sparked by the tension between fundamentals and the other Jewish groups in Israeli society.
- RT Article: Day to Day in Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
War without political vision
- RT Article: Enlarging Religious Liberty in Israel
By Rabbi Mordechai Liebling
An "Oral Haggadah" for the second seder
- RT Article: Hope, If Not Optimism
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Contemplating Israel's future
- RT Article: In the Land of Green Zionism
By Rabbi Michael Cohen
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
- RT Article: JRF Israel Task Force Report, Excerpts and Full Versions
By Israel Policies Task Force
Accepted by the JRF Board at the JRF Convention
- RT Article: Looking for Mr. Right
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Conservative Israeli views on the Palestinian conflict
- RT Article: Our Movement Backs Jerusalem WorldPride 2005
By
A Minyan of Opinions
- RT Article: Pregnant in Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
When a woman's body becomes "public property"
- RT Article: Reclaiming Our Reconstructionist Zionist Roots
By Rabbi Michael Cohen
Planning for a JRF presence in Israel
- RT Article: Seven Visitors to a Jerusalem Sukkah
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Getting used to living in Israel
- RT Article: Sexual Culture in Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
A diversity of norms
- RT Article: Shopping for a Car in Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
The secret language of the marketplace
- RT Article: Smog Alert
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Environmental activism in Israel
- RT Article: The Holocaust in Israel's Culture
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Commemoration in the Jewish State
- RT Article: The Income Gap in Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Economic injustice in Israel
- RT Article: The Struggle for Religious Pluralism
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Reconstructionist activism in Israel
- RT Article: Willing to Pay the Price
By Rabbi Amy Klein
The heartache of the intifada brings certainty and uncertainty
- Text Compilation: Kaplan On Zionism And Other Key Texts
By Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
Brief examples from the Zionist writings of: Theodore Herzl, A.D. Gordon, David Ben-Gurion, Mordecai Kaplan, and Jack Cohen.
- Text Compilation: Prayers and Songs for Israel
By Rabbi Amy Klein
A collection of poems, prayers and songs for Israel, many by Reconstructionist rabbis and congregants.
- Text Compilation: Tu Bishvat Seder Texts
By Rabbi Amy Klein
Three selections you may wish to use in your Tu Bishvat Seder by secular Zionist thinker A. D. Gordon, Haskalah poet Saul Tchernikovsky and Reb Nachman of Bratslav.
- Text Study: Israel's Proclamation Of Independence
By Rabbi Amy Klein
An invitation to an in depth study of Israel's Proclamation of Independence in the weeks leading up to Yom Ha'atzma'ut according to the tradition of studying Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) from Pesah until Shavuot.
- Text Study: Jacob/Esau/Rebekah/Isaac - Questioning The Rightness Of Jacob's And Rebekah's Actions (Parashat Toldot)
By Rabbi Shai Gluskin
A guided study that questions Rebekah and Jacob's deceitful actions through Torah text and Rashi commentary, as well as linking this theme to Israeli refuseniks.
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