In honor of Israel’s 75th anniversary and on the fifth yahrzeit of one of the major figures in the constellation of world-class Israeli writers, we’ll be discussing Aharon Appelfeld’s novel, Suddenly, Love.

The theme of the ceremony is “WE ACKNOWLEDGE”: bringing to light what has already been known but was suppressed, denied, or muted.

The State of Israel was founded as a homeland for the Jewish people, while promising to promote democratic values. Israel’s Declaration of Independence affirms that the state should be based on freedom, justice, and peace; ensure social and political rights equally; and guarantee freedom of religion, education, and more. However, in recent years there has been growing tension between the country’s democratic and Jewish values. Where does this tension come from? Who gains from breaking the fragile balance between these values? Is compromise possible? Join for a deep dive into the Declaration of Independence and these continuing tensions.

Now more than ever, high school students are thinking intentionally about gap year programs. This program is part of the Congregational Collaboration.