Israeli History

The Ethical Conundrum of a Jewish and Democratic State

Rabbi David Ellenson
June 8, 2021
When the State of Israel was established in 1948, its secular founders envisioned a nation that would be both Jewish and attuned to the values of liberal democracy. They were confident that a country with an overwhelming Jewish majority could maintain a Jewish character and ensure civic equality for all its inhabitants.

7 Movie Stars Who Have Played Israeli Prime Ministers

Gabe Friedman (JTA)
April 12, 2021
Just a month after it was announced that the Israeli star Shira Haas would portray Meir in a TV series, The Hollywood Reporter revealed this week that Oscar winner Helen Mirren would portray Israel’s only female prime minister in an upcoming biopic.

The Israeli Government: Who Aren’t You Sitting With?

Rabbi Josh Weinberg
March 18, 2021
With just a few days left until Israel’s fourth general election in two years, we might ask: Is there a clever coalition calculus that will allow for regime change? Is there a way to avoid sinking into a repetitive Groundhog Day-esque cycle of do-over elections?