American Jews and Israel: Identity?

ISRAEL AND THE IDENTITY OF AMERICAN JEWS
WHY? WHAT? WHERE? HOW?

(Based on a joint project of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America and ARZA, The Association of Reform Zionists of America)

In the current international political climate, with Israel under fire from every direction, American Jews are facing a challenging question: “should I be engaged in the complicated process of thinking through how Israel might be meaningful to me.” If so, how? There is no single answer that will appeal to each of us. Please join us in an interactive discussion program exploring the various possible relationships with Israel. You are invited to consider the history of the relationship between American Jews and Israel. Explore together where Israel is today and how she got there.
Listening to various views, challenging ideas and learning to talk about Israel effectively:
This six-session curriculum to explore your relationship with Israel, will meet monthly at Portland Chapter of Hadassah office on Second Sunday of each month beginning September 12, 2010.

• Dual Identity and dual loyalty—what is a “Jewish State”?
• Background of the Israel—U.S. relationship
• Israel and the International Community
• Law of Return—what it really is, defining Jews-- a people? A nation? A religion? A culture?
• Slogans & Reality—Jerusalem—Occupation—Settlements—Two-States/one state
• Contemporary Issues—what’s going on in Israel today and how does it relate to the past, the future and your relationship with the Jewish State.
• How to talk about Israel effectively. What you wanted to say but didn’t know how.

6 Sessions beginning Sunday, September 12 from 10:00 to 12:00 am.


Drinks and snack to be provided

RSVP as soon as possible, we would like to keep the group small enough to keep discussion effective and to ensure adequate space and materials.