Lectures & Conversations

In this session with Dr. Rachel Korazim, we will read and discuss poetry written during and in response to the calamity of October 7 and the war that has followed, leaving Israel and the Jewish world in shock and despair. The poems come from different parts of Israeli society and reflect a variety of voices.

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Join the Tel Aviv Review of Books as we kick off Israel at 76—a new series of captivating lectures and eye-opening conversations with teachers, thinkers and activists who are thoughtfully wrestling with some of the most essential questions about Israel’s future at this moment.

The Israel at 76 series is generously sponsored by Helena Diamant Glass, in cherished memory of her beloved parents, Regina Landwirth Diamant and Karl Diamant, and in honor of Yom Ha’atzma-ut 5784.

Hamas’ offensive on October 7, 2023, threw Israel into turmoil. Vulnerable as never before, Israelis were made to revisit old assumptions about their society, the political system, the meaning of living in a Jewish state, and their relationship with the Palestinians. Join Professor Clemence Boulouque (Jewish and Israel studies, Columbia University) and American-Israeli author Oren Kessler (Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict) for a conversation exploring these complexities with Gilad Halpern, the founding co-editor of the Tel Aviv Review of Books, which is also a co-sponsor of this kick-off event.

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In the months that have passed since October 7, BJ has hosted several Israeli-Palestinian groups working toward peace and a shared society, as we continue our commitment to lift up the courageous voices of those working together, advocating for a solution to the decades-long conflict.

In February, in partnership with the New Israel Fund, we hosted May Pundak and Dr. Rula Hardal, the inspirational Israeli and Palestinian co-executive directors of the rapidly growing “A Land for All” peace movement.

“What we have not had in 20 years is a political vision that will give A: hope, B: realistic horizon, and C: a commitment to an end game,” May Pundak said at the February 12 event.

“We provide the last two elements, vision and hope,” said Dr. Rula Hardal. “But we need on both sides as well as here in the States, the right political leadership who are able to make a decision to start this shift and to decide that we can have another way of life and another reality for both people in Israel and Palestine.”

Through the voices of those who refuse to accept the status quo, we will continue to advocate to transform the current landscape into one of hope and change.

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In the months that have passed since October 7, BJ has hosted several Israeli-Palestinian groups working toward peace and a shared society, as we continue our commitment to lift up the courageous voices of those working together, advocating for a solution to the decades-long conflict.

In February, in partnership with the New Israel Fund, we hosted May Pundak and Dr. Rula Hardal, the inspirational Israeli and Palestinian co-executive directors of the rapidly growing “A Land for All” peace movement.

“What we have not had in 20 years is a political vision that will give A: hope, B: realistic horizon, and C: a commitment to an end game,” May Pundak said at the February 12 event.

“We provide the last two elements, vision and hope,” said Dr. Rula Hardal. “But we need on both sides as well as here in the States, the right political leadership who are able to make a decision to start this shift and to decide that we can have another way of life and another reality for both people in Israel and Palestine.”

Through the voices of those who refuse to accept the status quo, we will continue to advocate to transform the current landscape into one of hope and change.

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Dr. Rula Hardal outlines the five principles that the cross-border group has agreed upon as a basis in their work together.

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In the months that have passed since October 7, BJ has hosted several Israeli-Palestinian groups working toward peace and a shared society, as we continue our commitment to lift up the courageous voices of those working together, advocating for a solution to the decades-long conflict.

In February, in partnership with the New Israel Fund, we hosted May Pundak and Dr. Rula Hardal, the inspirational Israeli and Palestinian co-executive directors of the rapidly growing “A Land for All” peace movement.

“What we have not had in 20 years is a political vision that will give A: hope, B: realistic horizon, and C: a commitment to an end game,” May Pundak said at the February 12 event.

“We provide the last two elements, vision and hope,” said Dr. Rula Hardal. “But we need on both sides as well as here in the States, the right political leadership who are able to make a decision to start this shift and to decide that we can have another way of life and another reality for both people in Israel and Palestine.”

Through the voices of those who refuse to accept the status quo, we will continue to advocate to transform the current landscape into one of hope and change.

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Bringing the conversation to a close, Rabbi Felicia Sol reiterates our communal commitment to raising up the voices of those on both sides who are advocating for peace.

Amidst the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, our recent event "Shared Grief, Shared Hope" stands as a testament to the power of empathy and the human spirit's capacity for reconciliation. This event, held on February 3 at BJ, brought together bereaved Israelis and Palestinians in a poignant dialogue about loss, hope, and the unwavering belief in peace as the only solution.

Featuring Robi Damelin and Mohamed Abu Jafar from The Parents Circle–Families Forum, their stories illuminate the path from personal tragedy to collective healing.

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Robi Damelin of the Parents Circle, shares how her getting involved in the Parents Circle led her to realize how powerful women who suffered loss on both sides coming together could be.

Robi, whose son, David, was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002 while guarding a checkpoint during his army reserve service, spoke at a recent event at BJ, "Shared Grief, Shared Hope." This event, held on February 3, brought together bereaved Israelis and Palestinians in a poignant dialogue about loss, hope, and the unwavering belief in peace as the only solution.

Robi was named a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World and selected by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice as one of four Women PeaceMakers.

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Robi Damelin of the Parents Circle, shares candidly what it is like for women she knows in their network right now who live in the West Bank and voices her desire for Israel to be a moral country where everyone, including Palestinians, enjoys safety and equal rights.

Robi, whose son, David, was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2002 while guarding a checkpoint during his army reserve service, spoke at a recent event at BJ, "Shared Grief, Shared Hope." This event, held on February 3, brought together bereaved Israelis and Palestinians in a poignant dialogue about loss, hope, and the unwavering belief in peace as the only solution.

Robi was named a 2015 Woman of Impact by Women in the World and selected by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice as one of four Women PeaceMakers.

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