Israel and her Neighbors

Small Israeli flag sticking out of a textbook in dark lighting

When It Comes to Supporting Israel, We Can't Compromise Our Values

By

Garrett Layton

As a young Reform Jewish leader, I have sought to foster critical discussions about individuals’ relationships with the Jewish state. But Israel’s detractors make no distinction between progressive and reactionary Zionism.

Matt Adler smiles at the camera while wearing backpack and taking a selfie in front of an Israeli desert setting

Building Bridges Through Language and Culture: A Gay Jew Discovers Israel in Arabic

By

Chris Harrison

Matt Adler, who speaks eight languages, detailed his experiences living in Israel in his new book. We spoke to him about his life in Israel and how his intersecting identities impacted his time there.

Shoes standing on either side of a red line as if divided or separated

A Tishah B’Av Teaching: We Can Change the Status Quo of Our Divided People

By

Rabbi Rick Jacobs

Trying to endure loss in isolation is more than painful; it puts our lives at risk. Rambam understood that when he described the consequences of not being connecting to Am Yisrael at times of trauma, including our fast days.

Sima and Oded hold the paperwork that made them Israeli citizens

From Iraq to Israel, a Citizenship Success Story

By

Anat Hoffman

When their parents returned to Iraq, Sima and Oded decided to continue living in Israel as practicing Jews. Despite their efforts throughout the years to obtain Israeli citizenship, their requests were always denied.