Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29 and 30
In Person at JTS
3080 Broadway (at 122nd St)
New York City

During this two-day convening, experts will discuss the evolving relationship between North American Jews and Zionism, examining diverse expressions of Zionism and how these have been influenced by evolving historical circumstances. We will also address the challenges of teaching about Israel and Zionism and explore a mutually beneficial relationship between the North American Jewish community and Israel.

Schedule of Events*

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29

9:00 a.m.–9:45 a.m.
Breakfast

9:45 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Welcome

10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
The Roots of North American Zionism

• Dr. Amy Kalmanofsky (Moderator), Blanche and Romie Shapiro Professor of Bible, Dean of List College and the Gershon Kekst Graduate School. JTS
• Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna, Director, Schusterman Center for Israel Studies and University Professor, Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University
• Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Chancellor, JTS
• Dr. Jack Wertheimer, Joseph and Martha Mendelson Professor of American Jewish History, JTS

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Lunch

12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Zionism and the Challenges of Power

• Dr. Shira Billet (moderator), Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Ethics, JTS
• Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief, The Forward
• Dr. Moshe Halbertal, Department of Jewish Thought and Philosophy, Hebrew University and NYU School of Law

2:20–2:40 p.m.
Optional Mincha Service

2:45–4:15 p.m.
Liberal Zionism, Jewish Pluralism, and Democracy

• Dr. Yizhar Hess, Deputy Chair of the World Zionist Organization
• Dr. Nurit Novis-Deutsch, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa
• Dr. Eilon Schwartz, Founder and Director, Shaharit, Lecturer, Melton Centre for Jewish Education at the Hebrew University

5:00–6:30 p.m.
Henry N. and Selma S. Rapaport Memorial Lecture: On Being Jewish Today

• Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, Park Avenue Synagogue
• Chaired and comments by Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ

Reflecting on his book, For Such a Time as This: On Being Jewish Today. Rabbi Cosgrove helps navigate and understand the landscape of a post October 7 reality, turning over questions that have no clear or easy answer in the way only a very good rabbi can. Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ, will also provide comments.

The Rapaport Lecture will also be livestreamed. 

About the Rapaport Memorial Lecture

The annual Henry N. and Selma S. Rapaport Memorial Lecture was established in 1982 by Selma S. Rapaport (1916–2010), who served as president of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and as a longtime JTS board member, in memory of her late husband. A distinguished attorney and committed Jew, Henry N. Rapaport (1905–1980) served as president of Temple Israel Center in White Plains, New York, and as president of United Synagogue. He was an active member of the JTS board and a generous benefactor of JTS’s scholarly programs.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30

8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Breakfast

9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m.
Judaism and Zionism: The Role of Religion in Democracy

• Dr. Tamara Neuman (Moderator) JTS
• Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)
• Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn, Senior Researcher and Lecturer, University of Haifa
• Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership, JTS

10:15 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Breakout Session

11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Cultural Zionism: Does it Create Bridges or Barriers?

• Ruby Namdar, Novelists, Sapir Prize winning author of The Ruined House
• Matthew Lazar, Founder & Director, Zamir Choral Foundation
• Miriam Meir, Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Language, JTS

12:45 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:45 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Zionism and Pedagogy: Teaching During Difficult Times

• Dr. Jeff Kress, (Moderator), Provost, JTS
• Peter Geffen, Founder and President, Kivunim
• Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, Executive Director, Harvard Hillel
• Amy Skopp Cooper, CEO Ramah Camping Movement
• Dr. Daniel Olson, Assistant National Director, Ramah Camping Movement

2:45 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Breakout Session

3:45 p.m.–5:15 p.m.
The Future of Zionism in North America

• Rabbi Gordon Tucker (Moderator) JTS
• Dr. David Kraemer, Librarian and Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics, JTS
• Dr. Arnold Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus, JTS
• Rabbi Joanna Samuels, CEO Marlene Myerson JCC

General admission: $100 for one day, $180 for both days

*Panels and times subject to change

Session Sponsors

Anonymous
Mimi and Barry Alperin
Robin Chemers Neustein
Abigail Moore and Len Wasserman
Dr. Joan and Mr. Jan Popkin

Supporters

Matthew Furman and Judy Hecker Furman
Marc Gary
Jay and Karen Kasner
Alan M. Klein
Alan Levine and Alison Newman
Lopatin Family Foundation
Ellen Reinheimer and Barry Lovell
Jennie Rubinshteyn and Yaroslav Faybishenko
Deborah Shapira and Barry Stern
Diane Troderman