BINA Center for Jewish Identity and Hebrew Culture
May 2016 / Iyar 5776
Dear Friends,
We often hear the question: "What's more important, for Israel to be Jewish OR democratic?" For us at BINA the answer is clear: Israel must both Jewish AND democratic. Jewish - in its commitment to Jewish culture and Jewish ideals of tzedek (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Democratic - in its commitment to equality, pluralism, and freedom.
Based on our understanding of Judaism and of democracy, there needn't be any contradiction between the two. A Jewish state must be a democratic state, and democracy must allow Jewish culture and expression to flourish.
68 years ago, the founders of Israel envisioned a state that was both Jewish and Democratic. Today that vision is being challenged. BINA is working hard to rebuild the connection between Judaism and democracy, so that Israel can remain a Jewish AND democratic state for the next 68 years and beyond.
Tel Aviv, Rothschild Blvd (Hebrew) Wed May 11, 7:00 PM
BINA's 4th annual ceremonial rereading of Israel's Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall. Live music and presentations by Dov Elbaum and others. Click for more.
Washington, DC (English) Thu June 6, 6:00PM
We Declare: A Ceremonial Rereading of Israel's Declaration of Independence. Remarks by community leaders from DC and Israel. At the Israeli Embassy. Co-sponsored by the Israeli Embassy and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.For details email wedeclare@bina.org.il.
Jerusalem (Hebrew) Wed May 11, 8:00 PM
"Nighttime Knockout!" A whole night of activities at the Tower of David Museum. This year's theme the many "tribes" of Israel. Music, performance, dance, spoken word, interactive workshops and more. Click for more.
South Tel Aviv (Hebrew) Wed May 11, 6:00 PM
BINA's annual "alternative" torch-lighting ceremony, highlighting the work of social activists and changemakers in different fields across Israel. At the Secular Yeshiva TLV.Click for more.
BINA Yom HaAtzmaut Resources: Re-Connecting Judaism & Democracy
BINA's 1st "We Declare" booklet, recently translated into English, includes insightful articles and resources adding new meaning to Israel's Declaration of Independence, and to our understanding of Judaism and Democracy. Click here to view or order your own copy of the booklet, as well as other teaching resources for your home, school, synagogue, and community:
A Little Bit of Torah: BINA English-Speaking Beit Midrash in TLV
Tue May 17 & Sun May 29, 6;30 PM Beit BINA, Lavon 3, Tel Aviv Price: 15 NIS per session
Join us for the last spring sessions of "A little bit of Torah" our biweekly Beit Midrash in English! May 17 will feature two amazing sessions. Ruben Rais will be teaching "O Brother Where Art Thou" about siblings in the Torah. Guest speaker Amit Gvaryahu will be teaching about "Paul the Apostle and the Building of non-Halakhic Communities."
On Sun May 29 we will have a special session in honor of LGBTQ PRIDE - Elliot Glassenberg will be teaching about "Queering the Bible".
Entrance is 15 Shekels and there will be wine and beer on sale. Click for more info on the BINA website or Facebook. For directions to the event click here.
Upcoming Conferences
Israel & American Jews: Re-Negotiating the Relationship Thu June 30, Tel Aviv-Yafo
How do we understand and how can we address the growing rift between many American Jews and Israel? To honestly address and explore the issue, BINA is convening a gathering of open conversation and brainstorming. In partnership with Lirom and Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. Click for more.
The Lost Story of Ethiopian Aliyah: Conference in Memory of Fareda Aklum - June 2 in Ramat Efal, Israel
BINA and friends will be hosting a first-of-its-kind conference exploring the lost story of Ethiopian Jews, with a focus on the life and work of Fared Aklum z"l, one of the most important figures in the story of the Ethiopian aliyah. Featuring topical sessions, films, music, and remarks by MKs. Stay tuned for details!
Upcoming Speaking Tours
Eran Baruch in NYC & DC June 3-9
BINA Executive Director Eran Baruch will be visiting the East Coast next month. For more info or to arrange a speaking engagement contact elliot@bina.org.il.
Dr. Shimon Vaknin at B'nai Jeshurun NYC - Sat June 4
Dr. Shimon Vaknin, Director of BINA's new Beer Sheva Secular Yeshiva will be speaking on Sephardi Judaism and the "Secular" Israeli modern Jewish Renaissance.Click for more.
What's New at BINA & BINA in the News!
1st BINA Passover Seder in Dharamsala, India!
Dozens of Israeli travelers and others took part in the first-ever BINA Passover Seder in Dharamsala, India! Click here for more photos from BINA's new activities in India!
South Tel Aviv's Botanic Garden's Now Open to the Public!
BINA has helped to re-open south Tel Aviv's Botanic gardens. The gardens are now open to the public every other Saturday with interactive activities for children and adults. Click here to find out about upcoming activities (Hebrew).
BINA MASA Israel Teaching Fellows Rahat in the News!
"A Tale of Two Languages" - Learn about Shaina and Rachelle, two BINA MITF fellows who are spending the year teaching English to Bedouin children, while studying at the new BINA Secular Yeshiva in Beer Sheva. (Yedioth Hanegev - click here to read.)
UJA-Federation of NY CEO on the Importance of BINA & Jewish Pluralism in Israel
In case you missed: Read UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric Goldstein's Op-Ed in the Jerusalem Post on the importance of Jewish pluralism and Israel and why UJA is proud to support BINA. We at BINA are proud to work together with UJA for a stronger and better Israel!
Meet Teklit, an Ertirean asylum seeker living in Israel. Jenna Cohen, a native Chicagoan volunteering onBINA's "Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv-Jaffa" program, tells Teklit's story, and adds a very personal perspective on the global refugee crisis. (TimesofIsrael - Click here to read.)
BINA MASA Programs: Tell your friends to apply now!
Tikkun Olam & BINA MITF (MASA Israel Teaching Fellows) - ages 21-30. Spend 5 or 10 months living, learning, and volunteering or interning in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Rahat, Nazareth or Migdal Ha'Emelk. Apply now for fall 2016!
BINA Gap Year - now with COLLEGE CREDIT - for high school graduates. Spend 5 or 10 months living, learning and volunteering in Tel Aviv together with Israeli peers! A few spots left for our fall 2016 cohort! Click for more info or to apply.
End-Cap: Strengthening Jewish Culture and Heritage by Daniel Posen
Adapted from remarks delivered by Daniel Posen of the Posen Foundation, April 2016.
The vast path of Jewish culture, through many generations and incarnations, consists of diverse mosaic pieces, possessing varied shapes and many colors. Assembled together, they form the cultural and for many, spiritual history of us all.
Compared with this grand continuum, dating thousands of years, our Foundation’s activity might seem as a mere short segment, a single trail marker within a long journey.
And yet, looking back at our work – there are many accomplishments to be proud of...
To sign up for this newsletter visit www.bina.org.il/en/contact. To sign up for our Hebrew newsletter visit www.bina.org.il/contact.
BINA operates under the Israeli nonprofit Merchavim, with the support of the Kibbutz Movement, Posen Foundation, and additional supporters, including: Avi Chai Foundation, Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest, JUF / Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Berl Katznelson Fund, Gimprich Foundation, Lautman Foundation, Leichtag Foundation, Matanel Foundation, Milton & Sophie Meyer Fund, Morris Levinson Foundation, Nadav Fund, Rappaport Foundation, Shahaf Foundation, Alan B. Slifka Foundation, Sobell Foundation, UJA Federation of New York, Ziering Family Foundation, dozens of municipalities across Israel and hundreds of private donors.
