Crisis in Israel

Our Temple Beth Shalom community continues to strongly support Israel and one another during this time of crisis. In addition to the special Israel-focused programming taking place in our community, we have also gathered many helpful resources below. These include opportunities to financially and materially support Israel; learning resources for adults, college students, teens and children; ways to reach out to Israelis in Israel; recommended books and media outlets; spiritual resources; and more.

If we may be supportive of you and your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clergy and staff.

Community Email Outreach to Date:
October 7, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team

October 8, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

October 16, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

November 6, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

November 20, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

December 18, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

January 17, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

February 6, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

February 27, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

April 18, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

September 1, 2024: Statement on Slain Hostages

September 3, 2024: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team with resources

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Resources

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME:

Jewish Family and Children’s Service: JFCS is providing support for all - including Israelis who have relocated to our area. To learn more, please click here.

Yad Chessed is providing support through its network of social workers during this difficult time. To learn more, please click here.

TBS Clergy: As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clergy. We are here to help.

HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE STUDENT AND THEIR FAMILIES:

The most current edition of “Sources” - a periodical published by the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem - is dedicated to the experience of American college students on campus. Several of the articles are excellent. To read, please click here.

ADL “Not on My Campus” Resource: Our campuses continue to face a troubling increase in antisemitism. Urge university leaders to implement the recommendations put forth by ADL, Hillel International, and our Jewish Communal Partners. For information, please click here.

ADL: “What Should Universities Do to Prepare for the Academic Year?”: A summary of recommendations for university leaders, Jewish students, and their families. Click here.

HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR ADULTS:

The Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem continues to produce excellent, thought-provoking articles, podcasts, webinars, and programs on the current crisis in Israel. To explore, please click here.

The film, We Will Dance Again - a documentary on the Nova Festival attack - was recently released. To learn more about this film, please click here. As we learn more about its availability, TBS will schedule a viewing.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin spoke movingly at the funeral of her son, Hersh, of blessed memory. For those who have not yet read or seen Rachel's eulogy, the text and a link to a recorded of her sharing her words may be found here. (In the video, Rachel begins at the 40-minute mark.)

RESOURCES FROM AN ISRAELI FRIEND OF TBS

Among the Israelis (who are members of Congregation Mevasseret Zion) with whom our TBS members are meeting as part of our Panim el Panim (“Face to Face”) program is Maurit Beeri. Maurit is the Director-General of ALYN Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. Her thoughtful insights in our small group discussions have been enlightening and helpful. She has written a number of articles that have been published in the Jerusalem Post. To read them, please click here.

TBS COMMUNITY INREACH AND OUTREACH

* At every Shabbat service during the month of September, before Kaddish, we will recall the memories of the six hostages - Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi, (z’l) all of blessed memory - who were murdered in recent days.
* Throughout the High Holy Days, we will be sharing special prayers, poetry, and reflections that will speak to our living in the shadow of the first yahrzeit since October 7th.
* Temple Beth Shalom is actively partnering with other Boston area congregations and organizations to bring 15 Israeli rabbis to Boston from November 3rd through 10th. While here, these rabbis will be engaging in a series of programs on Spiritual Care Education. The information they glean will enable them to better serve Israelis in their communities who are living with trauma in crisis. This program is also intended to provide respite and restoration for these rabbis who, themselves, are struggling. TBS member Rabbi Lior Nevo has been at the forefront of this organizing effort. Thank you, Rabbi Nevo!
* TBS clergy have continued to work closely with Dan Osborn in his new role as Director of Educational Partnerships at the Jewish Community Relations Council. Dan and his team are working with dozens of schools - including the Needham Public Schools - as they work to integrate Israel education in ways that are healthy for students and families.
* TBS clergy continues to be in contact with and supportive of state, town, local school, and one Boston area university’s officials regarding healthy responses to rising antisemitism and supporting both the Jewish and Muslim communities.
* TBS clergy continues to be in contact with representatives from the Needham Muslim community during this difficult time.
* TBS Children's Center continues to host several Israeli refugee children and their families, supporting them while they are away from home.
* Every Friday evening, we continue to share a special prayer for the people of Israel and for safety, security, and peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

ADDITIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES:

Senator Chuck Schumer Address to Congress:
On November 29th, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a major address on antisemitism. His remarks are eloquent, informed, and heartfelt. You may watch Senator Schumer’s address by clicking here. To read Senator Schumer’s words, please click here.

In Condemnation of Hamas Sexual Assault Against Israelis:
We are horrified by the acts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas and by the profoundly inadequate international response by leaders and organizations.

Statement by the Women’s Rabbinic Network (WRN): The Women’s Rabbinic Network of the Reform Movement recently issued a powerful statement decrying the unspeakable sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas. To read their words, please click here.

Article: “The World’s Feminists Need to Show Up for Israeli Victims” by Dahlia Lithwick, Mimi Rocah, Tamara Sepper, Jennifer Taub, Joyce White Vance, and Julie Zebrak. To read the article published by Slate, please click here.

Recording - Shai Nahon - “Current Conflict in Context” On November 7th, Shai Nahon - an outstanding Israeli educator, historian, and guide reflected upon the current conflict and the terrorist attack of October 7th. Special thanks to TBS community members Jeremy Cramer and Jake Grossman for recommending Shai to us. To view our session please click here. (The password is 4&CY9B7!) To see other brief videos that accompany Shai’s presentation, please click here. (The password is Raz2021)

Shalom Hartman Institute The analysis and commentary from the scholars at the Shalom Hartman Institute are excellent. To review their resources on the current crisis in Israel, please click here.

Some Helpful Books
Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn - Daniel Gordis
Can We Talk About Israel? A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted - Daniel Sokatch
(Excellent for college students and adults)
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth - Noa Tishby
(Excellent for college students and adults)
Israel: A History - Anita Shapira
For the Love of Israel - Rabbi Steven Lowenstein

* In addition, please review the materials below for college students and their families, as there are excellent resources there that may also be of interest.

INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK:

With so many getting information and commentary from Instagram and TikTok, a number of people have asked for recommendations of accounts to follow. B’nai Brith has shared the following list for you to consider:

Specific Educational Information
@awiderframe
@adl_national
@ajc.global
@honestreporting
@StandWithUs
@jtanews
@rootsmetals
@telavivinstitute

Active Jewish Voices
@noatishby
@henmazzig
@Hilzfuld
@heyalma
@awesomeseminars
@ncjwinc
@idf
@livinglchaim
@kveller

SAFETY & SECURITY

TBS remains in close contact with the Needham Police Department, the security team at CJP, and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that we are keeping our community safe. We want to send a special “thank you!” to the Needham Police Department for their extra support during this most difficult time. Our community has invested in security personnel, technology, and resources. Your support for these efforts are appreciated. To donate to our TBS “Safety and Security Fund," please click here. (Select “Safety & Security Fund”)

EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

We, your clergy, are here to be helpful to you and your family as we navigate this difficult time. If we may be supportive of you, please let us know.

If you are in need of professional emotional support, Jewish Family and Children’s Service provides free, confidential referrals and advice from trusted professionals. For more information, call JF&CS Boston at 781-693-5562, email them at mentalhealth@jfcsboston.org, or click here.

Talking to Our Kids

SPEAKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT THE CURRENT CRISIS

To see a list of helpful resources that Rachel Happel and Ellen Dietrick have put together, please click here.

The Union for Reform Judaism has also created a helpful guide to speaking with our children during this difficult time. Click here for more information.

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENT SUPPORT

Support Groups for Jewish College Students: The Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP) would like to offer support to our Jewish student community in the form of virtual support groups, beginning in 2024. These groups will serve to provide a safe space for Jewish students to explore and share their experiences. For more information, please click here. You may use this link to register for groups in January. AJP looks forward to meeting together. Please reach out to AJP with any questions at ajpcampusgroups@gmail.com.

Support Groups for College Parents: The Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP) is offering support to our Jewish parent community in the form of virtual support groups, beginning in 2024. These groups will serve to provide a safe space for Jewish parents of college students to explore and share their experiences. These groups are beginning now. For more information from AJP, please click here. You may use this link to register for groups in January. AJP looks forward to meeting together. Please reach out to AJP with any questions at ajpcampusgroups@gmail.com.

If your high school student is in need of support or information at this difficult time, please feel free to either reach out to any of the clergy or have them reach out to us directly. We are here.

TBS COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PARENTS

Over the past several weeks, we have engaged in group and personal outreach to our TBS college students. This has included email communication, a group learning session and some 1:1 calls/email. Currently, we do not have up-to-date contact information for all of our TBS college students. This is important to us not only during these challenging times, but always. Throughout the year, we send care packages to our college students and wish to connect with them in other meaningful ways. If you are not sure whether we have information for your child/children, please help us by providing their contact information by filling out the following google form. If you have more than one child in college, please complete a separate form for each. Thank you.

With student life on many college campuses especially difficult at this time, college students and their families - as well as other adults - may find this information especially helpful.

Article: “How Universities Should Confront Antisemitism” by Ron Liebowitz, President of Brandeis University. To read this excellent article published in the Boston Globe, please click here.

Article: “Jewish American Families Face a Generational Divide Over Israel.” To read this article published in the New York Times, please click here. If you are experiencing a challenge regarding Israel in your family and believe that our clergy may be helpful, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us.

Resources from Outstanding and Relatable Israel Scholar Dr. Rachel Fish
Dr. Rachel Fish is a gifted educator who provides essential insight into the current conflict in Israel and the rise in antisemitism nation-wide. She has been an invaluable lifeline, particularly, for the college student community. Dr. Fish is the former director of Brandeis University’s Schusterman Center for Israel Studies and has spoken at TBS on numerous occasions.

November 16, 2023 Interview Rachel Fish and Jeremy Burton discuss the challenges for Jewish students on college campuses, holding onto our pain for innocent lives lost in Gaza while also advocating for Israel to pursue lasting security for her citizens, and many more reflections on the ongoing crisis in Israel. The interview may be found here.

October 19, 2023 Interview Rachel Fish and Jeremy Burton address the topic: "How to Respond to Questions About Israel." The interview may be found here.

Other Resources by Rachel Fish Related to Antisemitism may be found here.

Pro Bono Legal Support for College Students Facing Antisemitism Hillel, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has created a “Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) - a free legal protection helpline for students who have experienced antisemitism. For more information, please click here. To ask whether what is being experienced requires legal support, a simple online request form may be found here. Or, to receive free 24/7 support, you may text “CALLhelp” to 51555.

Article: “To Jewish College Students Who Are Scared” by Sarah Hurwitz (former head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama; author). This article, which appeared in the Sapir Journal, may be found here.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL & BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Brandeis University’s Schusterman Center To access helpful information and resources from the scholars at Brandeis, please click here.

Recording of Seminar with former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni This informal seminar/conversation was hosted by Beit Daniel, a Progressive/Reform congregation in Tel Aviv. Rabbi Jay and Rabbi Todd participated in this program and thought you might find it helpful. The recording may be found here.

With student life on many college campuses especially difficult at this time, college students and their families - as well as other adults - may find this information especially helpful.

Informational Responses to Allegations About Israel This document - prepared by the ADL - which provides helpful information may be found here.

Responses to Problematic Rhetoric About Israel This document - prepared by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area - provides information behind many of the chants and charges heard at anti-Israel rallies, such as “From the River to the Sea!” and “Intifada! Intifada!” This document may be found here.

Article: “Israel is Not Committing Genocide in Gaza” This opinion article printed in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz speaks to the charge of genocide. It may be found here.

Article: “The Decolonization Narrative is Dangerous and False” This opinion article appeared recently in The Atlantic. It may be found here.

Article: “What Jewish College Students Are Grappling with Right Now” This article from “Hey Alma” - an online website for students - may be found here.

Video Presentation: “Responding to Questions About the Crisis in Israel” This recorded program was hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston. It was specifically aimed at college students but is appropriate for adults as well. Dr. Rachel Fish is the former director of Brandeis University’s Schusterman Center for Israel Studies. She has spoken many times at TBS. In this recent interview with JCRC, Dr. Fish provides helpful framing of the current situation for college students who are on campus and for adults. The interview is excellent and may be found here.

Article: “Sad, Scared, Proud, Alone: How US Jewish Teens Are Feeling Amid Israel-Hamas War” This article, published by the Times of Israel, may be found here.

Ways You Can Help

LEKET ISRAEL:

Leket feeds 330,000 Israelis every week with rescued produce from farms in Israel, providing rescued nutritious meals to Holocaust survivors, single mothers, evacuees, new immigrants fleeing Ukraine, Israeli Arabs and more!

Find ways to help here!

VOLUNTEER IN ISRAEL:

While nearly half of the Israeli population is helping in some capacity, the reality is that they still need more volunteers, especially in fields such as emergency medical care, agriculture and mass feeding programs. If you are interested in going to Israel to volunteer and contribute in a meaningful way, please click here.

CONDEMNING HAMAS PERPETRATED RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

In the weeks since the October 7th assault, despite verified evidence and testimony from survivors of the NOVA festival, the attacks on kibbutzim, and hostages that have been freed, denial of Hamas-perpetrated rape and sexual violence has been wide-spread. These atrocities constitute gross violations of international law. Rape and sexual violence in conflict are war crimes. Join American Jewish Committee (AJC), in urging Congress to condemn Hamas for using sexual and gender based violence as a weapon of war. To raise your voice to our congressional leadership, please click here.

ACT TO SUPPORT THE SAFE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES

Calling Congress: The American Jewish Committee is a leading voice in an effort to invite calls to congressional leaders to work in support of Israel and the return of the hostages. For more information, please click here.

MORE ACTION STEPS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES

RootOne Education Center has recommended the following actions that may be taken to support the 136 hostages - elderly, fathers, mothers, young women, children, chronically ill and wounded - and advocate for their release. It only takes a few minutes to call your representative or share a post on social media on behalf of the hostages, but it is a tremendous way to do your part. Click on any of the following ways help the hostages now:

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is on the front lines in Israel and internationally working for the release of the hostages. To learn more and to help, please click here.

THE 10/7 PROJECT

The 10/7 Project is led by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. It was created to be a centralized communications operation to promote continued U.S. bipartisan support for Israel; push for accurate, complete coverage of Israel-Hamas War; and promote stronger focus on October 7th victims and hostages. To learn more, please click here.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) - Over the coming months, TBS will be advocating support for the IMPJ and the critical work that it is doing “on the ground” in Israel to support the fostering of a democratic, pluralistic, and Jewish state - a state that supports all of its citizens. Some of the specific work of the IMPJ include:

· Actively supporting the families of the hostages through personal outreach, advocacy, and consistent participation in demonstrations, including leading Havdallah each week at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
· Providing pastoral and material care for those displaced from their homes in the north and south. Of special note are the efforts of our regional rabbis who serve our congregations in the conflict zones, and the more than 300 volunteers who are providing various forms of relief for these internal refugees through our Keren B’Kavod humanitarian aid programs.
· Offering meaningful spiritual support and community to Israelis throughout Israel, many of whom have never thought to turn to Judaism, rabbis, or synagogues for strength and solace in the face of trauma, and are now finding it in our 54 congregations throughout the country.
· Continuing the fight for democracy, religious pluralism, shared society and equality for all of Israel’s citizens, led by IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center) - the legal and advocacy arm of our movement.

To learn more and to support the IMPJ, please click here.

United Hatzalah is the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) in Israel. Over 7,000 volunteers and over 120 rescue vehicles remain fully mobilized in response to the current crisis. They work hand-in-hand with the IDF to treat soldiers, adults, and children. Currently, Hatzalah’s highest priority is to source millions of dollars’ worth of urgent medical supplies, protective gear, and communications equipment while increasing their dispatch and logistic capabilities. To learn more and to make a contribution, please click here.

The Maglan Unit is an elite unit of the IDF. An Israeli member of our congregation has family and friends currently serving as reservists with Maglan on the Gaza border. Contributions to the Maglan Unit enable us to make a direct difference in on-the-ground efforts to help Israel defend itself and to protect those directly engaged in the task of protecting Israel. This fund is a 501c3 with 100% of tax-deductible donations going directly to support this essential unit. To learn more and to make a contribution, please click here. When you receive the confirmation page, enter message: Direct funds to 6212.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) has established an Israel Emergency Fund. 100% of contributions go towards supporting victims of terror and addressing unprecedented levels of trauma through partner agencies in Israel. To learn more and to make a contribution, please click here.

ADVOCACY:

The TBS community stands with the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the American Conference of Cantors, and the Women of Reform Judaism as they have issued the following statement after the murder of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza:

“A cry is heard in Ramah—wailing, bitter weeping—Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, who are gone.” - Jeremiah 31:15

We join with millions around the world, including the tens of thousands of Israelis currently pouring into the streets, who are expressing their grief and anger over the murders of six hostages at the hands of Hamas—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, and Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi, and Alexander Lobanov.

Earlier this year, Hersh’s mother, Rachel, spoke to our Reform movement about her beloved son. No mother could have been a more passionate, articulate, and dedicated champion for her child. Rachel and her husband, Jon, have been unrelenting in their advocacy for Hersh and the other hostages taken on October 7. In their powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention last week, the Goldberg-Polins shared with millions of Americans their love for their son and their pain and anguish over the suffering of the hostages along with the civilians in Gaza. The murder of these six innocent people was an act of savage cowardice. The pure, unmitigated evil of Hamas, on display to the world in the killing of 1200 people, the abduction of 250 others, and the torture and sexual assault of hundreds more on October 7th, must be unequivocally condemned. This latest act of brutality and violence only serves to cause more suffering for both Israelis and the innocent Gazans living under Hamas’s violent control.

At this moment of terrible tragedy, we reiterate our strong call for Prime Minister Netanyahu to heed the voices of the hostages’ families and the millions of Israeli citizens calling on him to not leave the remaining hostages behind and, instead, negotiate for a new ceasefire and hostage deal. Every minute the hostages remain in captivity threatens their chances of survival. No more families should suffer the pain felt today by the Goldberg-Polins and the families of Carmel, Eden, Ori, Almog, and Alexander. The memories of those murdered by Hamas will be a blessing, always. We pray for comfort for the bereaved and strength for the hostages still held captive.

2025 World Zionist Congress Elections: Jews around the world are wrestling with how best to support the creation of a pluralistic Israeli society. One important way to do this is to participate in the 2025 World Zionist Congress (WZC) Elections. The WZC is a democratically elected body - unaffiliated with the Israeli government - that represents Jews outside Israel. It meets every five years and oversees a multi-billion dollar budget, giving diaspora Jews a voice in shaping the societal landscape in Israel. Temple Beth Shalom is joining with Reform Jews across the country and around the world to elect Reform delegates to the Congress that will champion our values of democracy and pluralism. Our participation is critical to counter religious extremism. More information about the WZC may be found here. We will share more information about how to participate in the election soon.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is on the front lines in Israel and internationally working for the release of the hostages. To learn more and to help, please click here.

Blue Ribbons for Life: Founded by Temple Aliyah Rabbi Leslie Gordon and her husband David Goodtree, Blue Ribbons for Life has officially launched its national campaign to put the Hostages First! Visit their website by clicking here. There are still 136 men and women, children and elderly who are held hostage. Tie a blue ribbon around a tree or lamp post at your home to express your support for the hostages. Temple Beth Shalom is proud to have been amongst the very first congregations to participate in this important effort. TBS proudly displays these ribbons on our temple property. We invite and encourage you to join us! To view the recording of the official Blue Ribbons for Life launch event, please click here.

Programs & Events

Panim El Panim - Online Meeting with Israelis Living in Jerusalem

Sunday, September 8, 2024 12:00 noon - 1:15pm

Our Zoom link may be found here.

Please join us as members of our Temple Beth Shalom community meet with members of Congregation Mevasseret Zion - a progressive/Reform congregation just outside of Jerusalem. This monthly conversation with Israelis who are similarly committed to a democratic, Jewish state is open to all. This is the first in Year #2 of our series of online conversations about the current crisis. You need not have attended either of the first conversations to participate. Dates for conversations in October through June will be shared soon. Again, all are welcome!

Gary Rabinowitz Shares of His Experience Volunteering in Israel

Friday, September 13, 2024 6:15pm

Gary Rabinowitz is the Assistant Director of Camp Avoda. Recently, Gary traveled to Israel to volunteer with the organization Israel Food Rescue. Join us Gary shares about his experience and of how it provided him deeper insight, connection, and hope during this most difficult time.

A Global Reform Movement Commemoration of October 7th

Sunday, September 29, 2024 1:00 pm online

To register, please click here.

Join the Reform Movement around the world as we come together to commemorate one year since October 7th. This event marks the beginning of our season of memory, a time for reflection and renewal as we approach the High Holy Days.

TBS October 7th Service of Memorial and Healing

Sunday Evening, October 6, 2024 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Temple Beth Shalom

To register, please click here.

Join us for a Service of Memorial and Healing marking the first yahrzeit of the October 7th attack. Our gathering will include the sharing Israeli music by Israeli musicians, traditional memorial prayers for those killed on October 7th and since that day, prayers on behalf of the hostages, words of reflection by Israelis, special poetry, words from Needham’s Interfaith Clergy, and comfort brought by being together with our TBS community. Light refreshments will follow.

"An Evening of Remembrance and Hope"

Monday, October 7, 2024 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at the Wang Center - 270 Tremont Street, Boston

For more information and to register, please click here.
TBS will be organizing a bus that will leave from the temple and will bring us back following the commemoration.

The Greater Boston Jewish community will gather to remember, reflect, and look to the future at this Boston area gathering. At this commemoration, we will remember the victims of the terror attacks and be in community with one another.

Israel Update: One Year Since October 7th

Tuesdays, October 8th, 15th, and 22nd 7:15 pm - 8:45 pm

To register, please click here.
Participants may attend one, two, or all sessions.

During this three-session seminar we will reflect on the year since October 7, 2023 and will look forward to the year ahead. What is the state of the war? Do we have a better sense of what the “day after” will look like? To what degree has the war with Hamas become a regional war? What does the war mean for Israeli domestic politics and for American presidential and congressional politics?

Our topics will include:

Tuesday, October 8th: “What is the State of the War Today?”
Tuesday, October 15th: “The Internal/Domestic Politics in Israel””
Tuesday, October 22nd: “Considering the Upcoming U.S. Election”

Our Teachers:
Dr. Jonathan Golden is a member of the faculty at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America.
Yoni Kadden currently serves and teaches as the Chair of the History Department at Gann Academy.

Where Are You in Relation to Israel?

Mondays: November 4th, November 25th, January 13th, February 3rd, March 3rd, March 24th, May 5th

7:15 pm – 8:45 pm

To register, please click here.
Participants may attend one, some, or all sessions.
All sessions will be recorded.

In a short, compelling book entitled Jews and Words, Amos Oz and his daughter Fania Oz-Salzberger, wrote that the Jewish people are not related by bloodlines, but rather by text-lines. Over seven sessions, we will study some of the texts that connect the people of Israel to the land of Israel and the State of Israel. I hope that everyone who chooses to participate in this course of study will grow their personal relationships with the other people in the cohort and with Israel. Our goal will be to deepen and thicken our relationships to Israel, and to increase Ahavat Yisrael - “love of Israel,” - including both the people and the place. Please join us for any, and hopefully, every session!

Our Topics Will Include:

Monday, November 4th: "Israel in Perspective: Zionism as a Response to Modernity"
Monday, November 25th: "Israel in Perspective: The Zionist Idea"
Monday, January 13th: "One State, Many Midwives"
Monday, February 3rd: "A State of Ideals is Not the Same as an Ideal State"
Monday, March 3rd: "Be Careful What You Pray For"
Monday, March 24th: "Not All Wars Are the Same"
Monday, May 5th: "The Story of HaTikvah"

Rabbi Jan Katzew, PhD is Associate Professor Emeritus of Jewish Thought and Education and Senior Educator of the EMA Program at HUC-JIR. Rabbi Katzew was a distinguished Jerusalem Fellow and earned a doctorate at the Hebrew University in Jewish Thought and Education. For fifteen years he led a team of educators at the Union for Reform Judaism that was responsible for designing, developing, and implementing curricular resources for early childhood centers, congregational schools, day schools and adult learning communities throughout the world. Since its inception in 2008, Rabbi Katzew has been a senior consultant to the iCenter for Israel Education, mentoring students from multiple graduate schools and seminaries to become Israel educators, a task made even more important after October 7, 2023. Rabbi Katzew is the author of popular and scholarly articles in multiple fields that include Interfaith dialogue, Mussar, Medieval Hebrew Poetry, Israel Education, Moral Development, and educational philosophy and practice.

Israel - The Generational Divide
A Course for Parents Struggling to Understand Their Children’s Perspectives on Israel

Tuesdays: October 29th, November 5th, November 12th, November 19th, November 26th 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Hebrew College - 1860 Washington Street, Newton
Tuition: $250.00
If financial support is needed to participate, please inquire at adultlearning@hebrewcollege.edu.
Instructor: Rabbi Dan Judson (To read Rabbi Judson’s bio, please click here.)

To register, please click here.

The crisis in Israel has caused divides within and beyond the Jewish community. Some of those divides have not just separated Jewish communities but are now dividing families. We have heard so many stories of families at odds with each other over Israel, family members who are unable or unwilling to communicate with each other.

This course is specifically for parents who are wrestling with their children’s views on Israel. We are hoping to bring parents together to learn and think together about Israel and about family. The course will be a mix of various types of learning. We will be looking at different perspectives on Israel, including that part of the Jewish community which questions Israel, not with the eye to tear down but to try to critically understand this worldview. We will hear from a family therapist for best strategies on communicating through difference. We will also examine some of the historical debates around Zionism to better understand our own moment.

While we will inevitably bring our personal experiences to our conversations, this course is meant to be not so much a support group but an opportunity to learn and reflect together in a space where there is some basic shared experience.

Because of the nature of the class, space is limited, and we are asking individuals to tell us a bit about why they would like to take the class. A member of the Hebrew College Tamid Team will reach out to you after you register to gather this information.

Navigating Politics with Your Teen

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 8:00 - 9:15 p.m.

For more information and to register, please click here.

This year’s election is heightening an already divisive time in our nation, and our teens are feeling it too. Join Moving Traditions for a nonpartisan webinar for parents and educators of Jewish youth. Rabbi Daniel Brenner will sit down with Wendy Smith, author of Both/And Thinking, for a conversation about how parents can apply both/and thinking to engage their teens in this election cycle and beyond.

We will address tough questions like:
* When political discourse feels polarizing, how can parents help teens engage in thoughtful conversations and inspire civic engagement?
* How can you maintain a strong relationship if you and your teen don’t see eye to eye on key issues?
* What is the right level of awareness and involvement – from apathetic and disengaged, to stressed and anxious at the issues on the table this election cycle?

In this free webinar, you will receive actionable takeaways and resources to help you and the teen in your life.

TBS Israel Seminar for High School Juniors and Seniors: What Is Israel to Me?

Tuesday Evenings, beginning on September 10th
6:30 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Seminar

After the attack of October 7th, the world’s attention has once again turned towards Israel. Conversations at school, at home, and everywhere in-between have motivated many to have an opinion on Israel and on what has been happening there. What is the history of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians? Where did Zionism come from and why? What are many of the protest movements on campuses across the country asking for? What are the key issues that continue to separate Israelis and Palestinians? How can I form my own understanding?

This course, open to all TBS 11th and 12th graders, will provide foundational information about Israel. Through exploration and conversation, class participants will learn helpful information, be able to ask deeper questions, and will come to better understand their own relationship to Israel.

Independent and even radical thinking is welcome! An open mind, an ability to embrace nuance, and a willingness to listen thoughtfully to others are required!

To Register: Please contact Julia Zinn at jzinn@tbsneedham.org.
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to Rabbi Jay at jperlman@tbsneedham.org.

PROGRAM FOLLOW UP

Visit to TBS by Survivors of the Nova Music Festival Attack

On Saturday, February 17th, we were blessed to welcome Daniel and Neria Sherabi - two brothers who survived the terrible attack at the Nova Music Festival on October 7th. Close to 200 people gathered in our TBS Sanctuary for a moving and meaningful program at which the Sherabi brothers were able to tell their story and those in attendance were able to ask questions.

To view the video (made by Israeli channel 12) that describes the heroism of Daniel and Neria that was shown on the day of the presentation at TBS, please click here.

To make a contribution to the organization For the Survivors and the Wounded - founded by the Sherabi brothers - please click here. If you include in the Memo section a note that your donation is from someone at Temple Beth Shalom in Boston, Daniel and Neria will know that their visit with us was meaningful and appreciated.

Will Katcher and his family are longstanding members of the TBS community. Will is a reporter for MassLive.com. To read the excellent article that Will wrote about Daniel and Neria’s presentation, please click here.

During the presentation, some questions were asked about a particular treatment that is being used in Israel to help treat PTSD. Many thanks to Margo Porter for sharing this helpful article.

Many thanks, once again to Ilana Pavlotsky, as well as to Ellen Dietrick and Sammy Altman for helping to make this program possible.

Crisis in Israel

Community Email Outreach to Date: October 7, 2023: Email to Community from Clergy & Senior Team