“The highest form of Jewish Identity is to be an Israeli,” noted Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, addressing participants of yesterday’s (March 17, 2010) “Jewish Renewal” Conference, an initiative of the Jewish Agency’s Israel Department. “But in order to attain this highest level a person must first connect to his or her Jewish roots”.
Nearly 100 Partnership directors, steering committee chairs and community representatives took part in the Tel Aviv conference, aimed at placing the issue of “Jewish Renewal” on the Partnership 2000 agenda.
Sharansky recalled his days as an adolescent, growing up in Jewishly uninvolved family which gradually discovered its Jewish roots. “I learned to take pride in my Jewish heritage,” recalls Sharansky, who stressed the importance of promoting Jewish education.
Dr. Naama Azulay, Bar Ilan University, followed by detailing research which indicates that Israeli society is undergoing a rapid process of Jewish Renewal. “It’s a new ‘social movement’ complete with new types of ‘Batei Midrash’ and other features. An ever growing number of Israelis are no longer willing to label themselves as either religious or secular. Azulay cites the evolution of pluralism in Israeli society as the catalyst for this social change.
Conference participants took part in Beit Midrash style text study and attended workshop sessions by organizations conducting Jewish Renewal activity in Israel.
Conference organizer Yahal Porat stated that the conference was just the first step in promoting Jewish Renewal amongst the Partnerships.
Beit Midrash study group led by “Elul”