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ISRAEL

News & Information


As part of our mission to make Israel a central focus of BJ and to further the vision of Israel as a modern Jewish, pluralistic democracy, we have begun a new feature in the Kol Jeshurun and on the web: Focus on Israel.

We will present a variety of topics, including speaker profiles, information about our Israeli partnerships, excerpts from and commentary about texts on Israel, and book reviews.

Focus on Israel Features

BJ and Israel

Lighting Candles in the Holy City of Tel Aviv

BJ Goes to Israel makes headlines in Haaretz when members of B'nai Jeshurun and join the Israeli congregations of Tiferet Shalom, Kol Haneshama, and Ve'ahavta at Beit Lessin for the lighting of the sixth Hanukkah candle.

Welcoming a Secular Sabbath

This Haaretz article discusses one of five developing liberal and innovative Israeli congregations inspired by BJ. During our December trip to Israel, we will be celebrating Kabbalat Shabbat in Tel Aviv together with members of these five Israeli congregations:
  • Beit Tefilah in Tel Aviv
  • Kehilat Teferet Shalom in Ramat Aviv
  • Chochmat Halev in Ramat Hasharon
  • V'ahavta in Zichron Yaakov
  • and Nigun Halev, Hamidrasha's congregation in Nahalal.

BJ Israeli Partners

Niggun ha-Lev - Nahalal (associated with Hamidrasha)

Niggun ha-Lev is a 6 year old prayer congregation founded by teachers from Hamidrasha Oranim in Doar Tivon led by Dr. Moti Zeira and Saraleh Shadmi-Wortman.

Niggun ha-Lev aims at addressing the needs of non-affiliated Jewish Israelis, drawing on Jewish sources throughout the ages, from traditional prayers to songs of the Zionist pioneers. This community has created their own siddur (prayer book) and meets regularly for Kabbalat Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, and a variety of life cycle events. Niggun ha-Lev is comprised of 40-60 families.

CHEN Patient Fertility Association

Fertility Tourism to Israel - Download the flyer here.

Beit Tefilah Israeli - Tel Aviv

Beit Tefilah Israeli is a young and fast-growing, liberal and independent community in Tel Aviv, which offers a meaningful context and venue for Shabbat and holiday services, lifecycle events, and Jewish-Israeli Identity exploration for a broad range of Israelis who seek a place for its spiritual quest in prayer and activism in a communal and friendly environment. In its first two years of operation Beit Tefilah Israeli has gradually become a prominent feature in the world of Jewish culture in Tel Aviv, and in the everyday lives of its members.

Beit Tefilah Israeli was launched in June 2004. It is run by two of its founders: Rani Jaeger (Chairman of the Board) and Esteban Gottfried (General Director), along with a lay leadership, an Advisory Board of prominent activists and a professional staff including community coordinator, a group of musicians, and children and youth instructors.

Beit Tefilah Israeli has 90 family units who are members, an average of 100-150 people attending Shabbat Services, and more than 500 people connected to its activities in different levels of involvement. With more than 110 events and activities for 2007: Kabbalat Shabbat, Shacharit Shabbat , family-oriented services, Study groups, social action groups, holiday services and special activities, Bar/bat Mitzvot, Siddur publishing, CD production, hosting Israeli guests and communities from abroad.

Contact information:
9 Hamikzoa Street
Tel Aviv
Tel: 972 77 3003655
www.beit-tefilah.org

Kehilat Tiferet Shalom - Tel Aviv

Kehilat Tiferet Shalom was founded by a group of olim, immigrants, who were looking for a synagogue here with the same kind of atmosphere as they had known before making aliyah. The founders - including Irving Kaplan, Maury Bodey and Bill Gross - were all leaders in their communities and their synagogues in America and had all enjoyed the experience of Camp Ramah. The congregation is comprised of people from many various backgrounds and nationalities, yet approximately two-thirds of us are native-born Israelis. The remaining one-third stem from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, England, South Africa, the United States and Yemen among others.

They offer weekly adult study sessions and holiday celebration as well as a thriving weekly Shabbat celebration.

Contact Information:
Ramat Aviv,
P.O. Box 17386,
Tel Aviv
www.tiferetshalom.org

Hochmat Halev - outside Tel Aviv

Hochmat Halev was established in 2004 by a group of people who decided to expand their social and spiritual horizons by establishing a community of like minded people to confront basic questions that deal with their existence and their lives as Jews and citizens of the State of Israel. They have a core community of 20 active families and continue to grow. The community provides weekly adult learning, large holiday celebrations, and several annual Shabbat retreats. Hochmat Halev is also heavily involved in social action. They have several ongoing projects including welcoming new immigrants from Eastern Europe, working with the youth in the area and creating long term relationships with various other communities in Israel.

Contact Information:
3rd Reines Street
Ramat Hasharon 47277
http://h-halev.org/index.asp

Kehillat V'ahavta

Kehillat V'ahavta began in 2003 from a core of eight enthusiastic and energetic families. They have grown to a congregation of 50 member families with an additional 100 non-members who attend various programs throughout the year. Some of their participants are native born Israelis and others are new immigrants. The community is led by Rabbi Elisha Wolfin. They offer a variety of events, Friday evening Shabbat services, monthly family Kabbalat Shabbat programs, weekly adult study, monthly Shabbat morning services, holiday celebrations, a successful b'nai mitzvah program and a range of tikkun olam programs.

Contact Information:
Kehillat V'Ahavta
P.O. Box 10060
Zichron Yaakov 30900
http://www.ve-ahavta.com/data/English/English.asp?mCatID=1023