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Our "Stronger Together" Wexner Summit working group identified the lack of institutional recognition and tolerance of non-orthodox Jewish ritual, practices and beliefs in Israel as one important factor wearing away the North American Jewish Community's feeling of connection to Israel. Our concern was actually twofold — from the Israeli perspective, Israel was illustrating a true lack of religious freedom for non-orthodox Jews and creating a distancing of non-orthodox Israeli Jews from
Sep 2016
The P2P (People to People) working group from the Wexner Summit "Stronger Together" has been busy working on multiple projects that connect Israelis and North American Jews. While at the Summit, we realized what a gift it was that alumni from four of the Wexner programs were meeting and working together. Right there, within the Summit group, was a P2P experience. To expand on that and utilize the potential
On August 23, 1950, the President of the American Jewish Committee and US industrialist Jacob Blaustein visited Israel. In an historic meeting at the King David hotel in Jerusalem, Ben Gurion and Blaustein issued statements expressing their mutual understanding about the relationship of American Jews and Israel, in what became known as the Blaustein-Ben Gurion accord. Three issues were at the focus of that accord — representation, dual loyalty and Aliyah.
When your husband is the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic and your son is ready to become a Bar Mitzvah, what do you do when the Torah in your congregation is found to be pasul (not kosher)? If you are Tamar Newberger, you find your way to Project Kesher. For the past twelve years, Project Kesher has placed Torahs throughout eastern Europe, working to maximize access for women whether
Sep 2016
This year, the Summer Institute with the 28th Wexner Israel Fellowship (WIF) cohort was held in Kennebunkport, Maine. I was among the eight Fellows who were accompanied by WIF Alum Maria Ben Assa (Class 27) and Foundation staff members Or Mars, Elisha Gechter and Aliza Storchan. This three-day institute, the first one for us current Israel Fellows about to begin our year at Harvard, was about transforming the group into
Sep 2016
אם-אשכחך ירושלים תשכח ימיני תדבק לשוני לחיכי אם לא אזכרכי אם לא אעלה את ירושלים על ראש שמחתי “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget . May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.” Psalm 137 Jerusalem holds a uniquely special significance for the Jewish people, playing a central role
Aug 2016
Snapshot: It's 11 PM on a Thursday at a bar in scenic Stowe, Vermont. There are dozens of people singing a niggun, a wordless melody. They have been singing this same tune for nearly an hour as they clasp shoulders, pound tables and dance. Their joy is palpable and their song is whole hearted. How did I, how did we, Wexner Graduate and Field Fellows, end up here? Let’s backtrack.
Aug 2016
It all began back in 1993 when a group of 10 Wexner Israel Fellows were staring their year at Harvard and were on the verge of an amazing professional and life adventure. Who could have imagined that more than 20 years later this group would still have a strong and wonderful friendship. Our first gathering was in the garden of the Parag home in Ramat Yishai, with the idea that
Aug 2016
One of the most beneficial aspects of sending kids and teenagers to overnight summer camp is the opportunity to disconnect and unplug from the world at large. The absence of phone, TV, internet and social media allows our youth to focus primarily on developing friendships, physical and artistic skills and their intellectual muscles. This countercultural “bubble” that camp creates is a cherished part of the camp experience. However, while working
Aug 2016
I dismounted the motorcycle taxi with the finesse of an intoxicated toddler, my overstuffed backpack swaying behind me. In the hilly farmlands of Kenya, Yosef stood in front of his modest home with a huge smile and kippah sitting atop his head. “Shalom,” he said. I lived with Yosef, Ruth and seven of their thirteen children this summer. They live in Gathundia, a village so small that it doesn’t