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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
Oct 2016
On October 4th, at the end of Rosh Hashanah, women started marching from the four corners of Israel, organized by a grassroots group called Women Waging Peace. The march culminated on Chol haMoed Sukkot in Jerusalem in a rally held in front of the Prime Minister’s Office with a simple message to all the leaders of our country: “Lead us courageously toward a political agreement.” Many felt this was naive,
By 2025, 60% of the world’s landmass and 40 of the 50 United States will experience water shortages. Water scarcity helped trigger the Syrian Civil War and has been a factor in African migration to Europe. Israel will be a model in solving the world’s emerging water crisis. About 10 days ago, Prager University released this five-minute video, which I wrote and, to date, has had 875,000 unique viewers. I
Oct 2016
In my capacity as Deputy Director General of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, I have been working for the past five years with all the local governments throughout the country: small and large, centrally located and in the periphery, Arab and Jewish. I have had the privilege to closely study the country with its challenges and opportunities. This professional platform has provided me with much knowledge which, alongside
Oct 2016
Here is a shot of our downstairs Sukkah and our upstairs Sukkah…Chag Somayach everyone. WHP alum Cheston Mizel (Los Angeles ’09) Our Sukkah is a place for hanging out with friends and neighbors, eating a meal, reading good books and, of course, some yoga and meditation. WHP alum Edie Raphael (Baltimore ’10) Waking up from the annual Sukkah Sleepover. WGF alum Ken Richmond (Class 13) This
The Wexner Foundation and various communal stakeholders met together with Heritage alumni (Detroit 86) and potential nominees for the Detroit ’17 class. They learned what is new in the Heritage program and also heard from various alumni how the program continues to impact their leadership. To nominate someone for the Detroit, Chicago or Montreal 2017 cohorts, please click here. What might be said in two minutes that can capture my
Oct 2016
Last week I had the opportunity to speak to a distinguished group of people in an intimate living room setting. There were Wexner Heritage Alumni, prominent figures in the Boston Jewish community, colleagues from the Wexner Israel Fellows Class 28 and their spouses. The intention of the gathering was to have a Fellow offer fodder for conversation and I chose to speak about aspects of Israel’s narrative, their connection to
Oct 2016
Here is a melody I composed for the piyut (liturgical poem) “Ya’aleh” which is chanted/prayed on Yom Kippur after Kol Nidre/ma’ariv — it’s based on the alphabet in reverse. Please email me if you’d like the sheet music and lyrics. Click here to listen. Shir Yaakov Feit, WGF Fellow (Class 28) is a singer, composer, designer, producer, teacher and dad. He engages Jewish, multi-faith and non-affiliated people around the world, building spiritual
Oct 2016
36 Minutes LIVE: Elul 5776 just concluded today. We held sessions with four scholars from around the world: the recently knighted Madame Le Rabbin Delphine Horvilleur, Chief Rabbi of Denmark, Rabbi Jair Melchior and two faculty who are already cherished by many in our network — Rabbi Ed Feinstein (CA) and Talmud Scholar and former MK (Knesset Member) Ruth Calderon (Tel Aviv). Each session is worth watching and the exploration
Oct 2016
Orit Farkash-HaCohen, WIF Alum (Class 18) What moved me the most was that for three full days cynicism was gone out the door. But really. Even the Israelis who are prone to be skeptics of everything. The Summit was a strong emotional reminder for me of why I am committed to what I do and why it is something to be proud of. Sue Reinhold, WHP Alum (San Francisco 14)