SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Congregation Beth El has announced the next two events in its series of events commemorating Israel’s 70th anniversary.
“The Fight for Religious Pluralism in Israel: Recognizing All Forms of Jewish Expression” will be Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. with Rabbi Arie Hasit. Hasit grew up in Cherry Hill and made aliyah in 2005. He currently serves as the founding rabbi of the Masorti community in Mazkeret Batya and the educational coordinator for Rav Siach, a program designed to connect Israeli and Diaspora Jews. Hasit will discuss the challenges of being a non-Orthodox rabbi in Israel, the struggle for equality among all forms of Jewish expression in Israel, and what the American Jewish community can do to support diverse Jewish expression.
“The Future of the Millennial Jewish Relationship with the State of Israel” will be Sunday, Feb. 4, at 9:30 a.m. with Hillel Gruenberg, the director of Israel engagement at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He will speak about the challenging trends of affiliation, commitment, and support among the American Jewish community toward Israel and why there seems to be a schism among millennial Jews and the modern Jewish state. He will also explore what the future might hold and what the American Jewish community can do to shape the future of that relationship.
All events are free and open to the public. They will be held at Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave. in South Orange. Further information is available by contacting the synagogue at 973-763-0111 or by sending an email to AdultEd@bethelnj.org.
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