Hanukkah, Jewish Power, and the Future of Israel Education
Part of our fall learning series, Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation
Monday, December 16, 2024
7:30–8:30 p.m. ET
Online
With Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus, Professor of Jewish Thought, JTS
Every year at Hanukkah, Jews everywhere celebrate the Maccabees’ military uprising against oppression. But in our day, many younger American Jews are experiencing discomfort with some of the ways that Israel uses power to fight its enemies and defend its interests, which has led to decreased support and weakened connection to the State.
How should education about Israel— and advocacy on behalf of Israel—change in coming years? What lessons should Jews take away from events on and off campus in the wake of October 7, 2023?
Join Chancellor Emeritus Arnold Eisen, who is currently teaching a course on Zionist thought at JTS, in dialogue about Israel education and advocacy with Rabbi Aaron Leven and Rabbi Maya Zinkow, two recent JTS alumni, who will share their experiences and wisdom.
Arnold Eisen is chancellor emeritus of the Jewish Theological Seminary and professor of Jewish Thought. One of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism, Professor Eisen is the author, among other works, of Galut: Modern Jewish Reflection on Homelessness and Homecoming. He has written, spoken, and taught extensively about Abraham Joshua Heschel. Before coming to JTS, Professor Eisen served on the faculties of Stanford, Tel Aviv, and Columbia universities. He is a lifelong and devoted Conservative Jew.
Rabbi Aaron Leven is the associate rabbi at Nefesh, an open-hearted spiritual community serving the east side neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary in May of 2023, he is a native Angeleno who is thrilled to be back home where he is in walking distance to both Nefesh, as well as to Dodger Stadium.
Rabbi Maya Zinkow serves as campus rabbi at UC Berkeley Hillel, where she teaches Torah, facilitates Jewish ritual life, and provides spiritual care for the Jewish community on campus. In her time on campus, she has helped revive the Cal Interfaith Council, working with other clergy to bring students of faith together in community. She received rabbinic ordination and a master’s in Jewish women and gender studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary as a Wexner Graduate Fellow. While studying at JTS, Maya served as a rabbinic intern at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel and at Romemu. Before starting her rabbinic studies, Maya graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English literature and creative writing and followed her love of text to the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, where she learned Torah for two years and now serves as faculty in the summer.
The Zoom link for all sessions in the Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond—Expanding the Conversation series will be in the confirmation email that you receive after you register.
About the Series
Mondays, November 11–December 16, 2024
1:00–2:00 p.m. ET*
What does it mean to be a Zionist in 21st-century North America? Expanding on conversations from our two-day convening “Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond,” this webinar series will explore this and other questions, presenting significant insights and debate and enhancing the context that is informing contemporary issues. JTS faculty will highlight the political, religious, and philosophical perspectives that shape the current landscape for Jews in North America in relationship with Israel.
* Rabbi Jan Uhrbach’s December 9 session and Dr. Arnold M. Eisen’s December 16 session will meet at 7:30–8:30 p.m. ET.
