Part of the series,��Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation��

With Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus, Professor of Jewish Thought, 91�첥

Every year at Hanukkah, Jews everywhere celebrate the Maccabees’ military uprising against oppression. But in our day, many younger American Jews are experiencing discomfort with some of the ways that Israel uses power to fight its enemies and defend its interests, which has led to decreased support and weakened connection to the State.    

How should education about Israel— and advocacy on behalf of Israel—change in coming years? What lessons should Jews take away from events on and off campus in the wake of October 7, 2023?   

Chancellor Emeritus Arnold Eisen, who teaches a course on Zionist thought at 91�첥, in dialogue about Israel education and advocacy with Rabbi Aaron Leven and Rabbi Maya Zinkow, two recent 91�첥 alumni, who will share their experiences and wisdom. ��

Arnold Eisen is chancellor emeritus of the Jewish Theological Seminary and professor of Jewish Thought. One of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism, Professor Eisen is the author, among other works, of Galut: Modern Jewish Reflection on Homelessness and Homecoming. He has written, spoken, and taught extensively about Abraham Joshua Heschel. Before coming to 91�첥, Professor  Eisen served on the faculties of Stanford, Tel Aviv, and Columbia universities. He is a lifelong and devoted Conservative Jew.

Rabbi Aaron Leven is the associate rabbi at Nefesh, an open-hearted spiritual community serving the east side neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Ordained at 91�첥 in May of 2023, he is a native Angeleno who is thrilled to be back home where he is in walking distance to both Nefesh, as well as to Dodger Stadium. 

Rabbi Maya Zinkow serves as campus rabbi at UC Berkeley Hillel, where she teaches Torah, facilitates Jewish ritual life, and provides spiritual care for the Jewish community on campus. In her time on campus, she has helped revive the Cal Interfaith Council, working with other clergy to bring students of faith together in community. She received rabbinic ordination and a master’s in Jewish women and gender studies at 91�첥 as a Wexner Graduate Fellow. While studying at 91�첥, Maya served as a rabbinic intern at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel and at Romemu. Before starting her rabbinic studies, Maya graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English literature and creative writing and followed her love of text to the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, where she learned Torah for two years and now serves as faculty in the summer. 

About the Series

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21st-century North America? Expanding on conversations from our two-day convening “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” this webinar series will explore this and other questions, presenting significant insights and debate and enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel. 

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Part of the series, Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation 

With Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, Director of the Block / Kolker Center for Spiritual Arts, 91�첥

Argument is essential to Jewish life—it forms the basis of the Talmud and the classic Jewish joke about two Jews, three opinions. Yet today the challenge of talking across differences often seems insurmountable.

Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, director of the Block Kolker Center for Spiritual Life, shares insight into how to communicate with those whose opinion differs from yours. She will include tactics for creating structures that enable civility and explore the traps to avoid in your community. 

This session was sponsored by:��
George A. Goldberg, MD, in loving memory of��Janet K. Goldberg and��Max J. Goldberg
Drora & Matti Shalev

About the Series

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21^st Century North America? The 91�첥 Convening, “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond” is a two-day program which will explore this and other questions. In this webinar series, we expand on these conversations, presenting both the significant insights and debate that emerged, as well as enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel.

Part of the learning series, Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation 

With Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement and Assistant Professor of Jewish Philosophy, 91�첥

Earlier this fall, 91�첥 held a two-day convening on “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” where experts discussed the evolving relationship between North American Jews and Zionism.

How is Zionism finding expression in our communities? What are the challenges and opportunities in educating younger generations around these ideas? Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice Chancellor of Religious Life and Engagement, shares his thoughts from the convening and the new models of engagement with Israel that emerged from our conversations.

This session was sponsored by Mr. Jan and Dr. Joan Popkin��

Complete session video from the 91�첥 Convening.

ABOUT THE SERIES

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21st-century North America? Expanding on conversations from our two-day convening��“Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” this webinar series will explore this and other questions, presenting significant insights and debate and enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel.��

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Part of the series Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond — Expanding the Conversation

With Dr. Benjamin D. Sommer, Professor of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages, 91�첥

What can we learn from the Bible’s narratives about the emergence of the nation Israel? Some streams insist on the literal infallibility of biblical history, while others assert that the Jews are not indigenous to Canaan/Israel/Palestine.

Considering biblical texts and archaeological evidence, this session examines the origin of the Israelites as an ethnic and political unit. How does the debate on biblical authority resonate both within and outside academic circles? 

This session is sponsored by Yale Asbell, 91�첥 Trustee.

About the Series

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21st-century North America? Expanding on conversations from our two-day convening “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” this webinar series will explore this and other questions, presenting significant insights and debate and enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel. 

Part of our fall learning series,��Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation

In American and Israeli societies, we often focus on what divides us and the differences in how we respond to tragedies. This session focuses on activism and organizing in Jewish religious communities across denominations, both in Israel and the US. How have we pulled together and what are the outcomes of this work?

Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Pearl Resnick Dean of The Rabbinical School and Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership, 91�첥, will discuss these questions with Shira Ben-Sasson Furstenberg, Associate Director at New Israel Fund-Israel and Director of the Development and International Relations Department. They will explore the successes of the last year and the ways in which these partnerships can grow.

About the Series

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21st-century North America? Expanding on conversations from our two-day convening “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” this webinar series will explore this and other questions, presenting significant insights and debate and enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel. 

Part of our fall learning series, Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation 

With Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Chancellor and Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History, 91�첥, in conversation with Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President

Henrietta Szold, 91�첥’s first female student, was the most learned Jewish woman in America in the first half of the last century. Attracted to the Zionist dream as a teen in Baltimore, she channeled her intellect and love for the Jewish people into Hadassah. Defying gender norms and expectations, she transformed the way Jewish women thought about their capabilities and the way many Jews approach their relationship to Zionism.

What can this 20th-century Zionist leader teach us about Zionism today? Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz and Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President, explore Szold’s experiences and reflect on its implications for us all.

These links were shared in the chat during the session:

This session is co-sponsored by and generously sponsored by:

Lori Gilman, in memory of her grandmother, Anna Goodman. Henrietta Szold was her heroine.
Karen Price Rafalowicz, in loving memory of her mother, Ruth Epstein Price

Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Irving Lehrman Research Professor of American Jewish History, a groundbreaking scholar of American Jewish history, and a visionary institutional leader, is the eighth chancellor of 91�첥. She is the first woman to serve in this role since 91�첥 was founded in 1886. Chancellor Schwartz was one of the first women on the 91�첥 faculty and played an instrumental role in introducing Jewish gender studies into the curriculum. As a scholar, she brings to light previously overlooked contributions of women to Jewish life and culture over the centuries and continually expands our understanding of American Judaism.  

Carol Ann Schwartz is Hadassah’s 28th national president. She has more than 30 years of service to Hadassah at the local, regional, and national levels, including roles as member of the Board of Directors of the Hadassah Medical Organization, Speakers Bureau chair, national secretary, a national vice president and Cincinnati Chapter president, among others. Carol Ann was a recipient of the Presidents’ Award in 1994. Carol Ann, of Cincinnati, has been active in her local community, serving as president of Yavneh Day School (Rockwern Academy) and on the boards of Adath Israel Synagogue and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. She earned a BBA in marketing and management from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA in finance from Xavier University. Following seven plus years in banking, Carol Ann now works with her family in commercial real estate. 

About the Series

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21st-century North America? Expanding on conversations from our two-day convening “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” this webinar series will explore this and other questions, presenting significant insights and debate and enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel. 

What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21^st Century North America? The 91�첥 Convening, “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond” is a two-day program which will explore this and other questions. In this webinar series, we expand on these conversations, presenting both the significant insights and debate that emerged, as well as enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. 91�첥 faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel.