After two years as a shlicha, I can say with certainty that these have been the most rewarding, challenging, transformative, and diverse two years of my life. As I prepare to leave, I want to put into words two lessons that I am taking with me: one about Judaism, and one about community. My shlichut has ...
Every year in Israel, a torch-lighting ceremony marks the transition from Yom Hazikaron to Yom Haazmaut. During this ceremony, twelve torches are lit, representing the Twelve Tribes, the sons of Jacob, who together form a whole. During ...
The fourth and fifth of the Jewish month of Iyar, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut, which stand side by side, present the Israeli reality in which history and hope meet at a single point. At first glance, it may seem like a jarring contrast: ...
Israel is a young country, yet its cuisine carries with it a long history of peoples, migrations, and memories. Born from the meeting of immigrants from every corner of the world and the local Arab Palestinian cuisine, which has had a profound and inseparable influence on Israeli food. Each ...
“Our goal is to close down,” said the head of the academy on my very first day. “We fill the gaps left by the education system. The moment the education system learns to embrace curiosity, open-hearted learning, and holistic experiences, there will be no need for us. But until then – we ...
The events of October 7 shook the world to its core, leaving people everywhere with the sense that they could not remain silent — that they had to act. Out of this deep need to bear witness, photographer Erez Kaganovitz created a powerful exhibition that the Federation is bring to our community for ...
No matter where you go in the world— whether it’s the jungles of South America, the mountains of Asia, or the deserts of Africa—there’s a good chance you’ll run into Israelis. You’ll spot them with their “Shoresh sandals”, a sizzling shakshuka cooking in the hostel kitchen, and a 70-liter ...
The sage Hillel said: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, when?" These words, spoken thousands of years ago, remain deeply relevant today—especially as we approach Good Deeds Day. The day was founded in 2007 by businesswoman ...
My path was clear. As a physical training officer in the IDF, I had my career planned out until the age of 42, leading up to a military pension. But in the summer of 2023, I embarked on a journey that changed everything. In August, I participated in Birthright as an Israeli participant. The purpose ...
Exploring Israel Through Books Books are journeys that transcend boundaries, offering a window into another person’s world. Reading Israeli literature is more than just learning about Israel; it is an emotional experience that bridges the gap between cultures. It brings us closer to the ...