May 7th, 2013
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April 2nd, 2013
Building on a successful 2012 Season, the nonprofit Jerusalem Season of Culture will present its third annual festival from July 1 to August 23, 2013. The 2013 Season offers dozens of artistic experiences spanning the worlds of music, visual arts, culinary treats, cultural encounters, live art, social interaction, performing arts, new media and more. This summer, Jerusalem, which has served as a source of artistic inspiration for thousands of years, will once again be filled with events that challenge conventional definitions of culture and reexamine the relationship between observer, performer and location. Read More »
December 14th, 2012
December 11th, 2012
November 19th, 2012
Like so many of you, I have been watching the headlines and images coming out of the Middle East with a mix of sadness, fear and dread. Sadness at seeing millions of innocent lives put in harm’s way. Fear at knowing our homeland is once again under attack and tensions are ratcheting up in an already volatile region. Dread at anticipating the harsh judgment Israel will receive in the court of public opinion for doing what any nation must: secure its borders and protect the lives of its citizens.
No nation, after all, can be expected to tolerate more than half of its population—an estimated 4.5 million people—living under constant threat of rocket fire. Air raid sirens have twice sounded throughout Jerusalem as rockets have landed within range of the capital city, Israel continues to intercept rockets over Tel Aviv and residents of Israel’s south are spending their days and nights in bomb shelters.
It is a reality of life in Israel, but it is the story the headlines don’t often tell. And as we go about our work week, our Israeli brothers and sisters prepare for the possibility of sending their loved ones to war once again. Read More »
November 5th, 2012
From Johannesburg to Jerusalem and many places in between, we have had the privilege of meeting with young Jewish adults all around the world this year who are fueling our optimism about the Jewish future. They are left wing, right wing, straight, gay, religious, secular, from big cities and small towns. But where some might see divisions and irreconcilable differences, these young people see potential for partnerships, for building bridges, for working together to contribute to the global Jewish community and to the world at large.
Indeed, each encounter further confirmed our belief that to be most effective in creating a vibrant Jewish future, we need to put young people—not our organizations, programs or egos—at the center of the relationships, experiences and networks we are supporting.
Herewith, some of the highlights … Read More »
October 5th, 2012
This article first appeared in The Times of Israel.
When asked to describe the activities of young Israel advocates, people often conjure up a rather stereotyped image: right wing and religious, protesting on the quad, arguing with speakers and student activists.
The fact is, those depictions could not be further from the truth.
A new study examining 4,000 young Israel advocates—from teenagers to young adults—paints a very different picture. The first and largest study of its kind, “Next Generation Advocacy” is invaluable in explaining what until now has been mostly guesswork: what compels young people to engage in Israel advocacy? Why do they stay involved? What can we do to ensure that they are effectively trained and their commitment nurtured? (Download Next Generation Advocacy: A Study of Young Israel Advocates) Read More »