Connecting Israeli Interests with Jewish Values

Can a state ever act in altruistic ways? What happens when important universalistic causes – such as taking in asylum seekers, working on global justice issues abroad – are deemed not to align with Israel’s political interests? Elana Stein Hain sits down with Avidan Freedman, founder of Yanshoof and Dyonna Ginsburg, CEO of OLAM, to discuss the possible relationships between values and interests in a Jewish State and the role that plays in shaping their views.

In the current Israeli government, religious Zionism is playing an ultra-nationalist and right-wing role. Is this what religious Zionism has to be? In her series Reclaiming a Religious Zionism that Embraces Darkhei Shalom (Paths of Peace), Elana Stein Hain has conversations with Israeli thought leader-activists who are working toward a different vision of religion and of religious Zionism.

This program is part of Ideas for Today, curated courses by Hartman Institute scholars on the big Jewish ideas we need to think better and do better.

Other sessions in the series:

• Writing a Torah of Peaceful Religious Zionism with Yaakov Nagen
• Promoting Democracy and Pluralism within Israeli Communities with Tehila Friedman