Religion & State
Lecturers
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Calev Ben-Dor
A former analyst in Foreign Ministry, Calev Ben-Dor has worked in the Israeli policy and national security world for over
Informative Articles & Videos
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Growing Gap Between Israel and Diaspora’s Progressive Jewish Community
In a Canadian Jewish News article titled Reform and Conservative Judaism Under Attack, Reform Rabbi Dow Marmur discusses Israel’s attitude
Progressive Judaism in Israel
This informative clip (08:25) put out by the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) offers a glimpse at the scope
American Jews Send a Message About Western Wall Controversy
In this i24NEWS clip (03:22), Eli Yishai, the former leader of Israel’s Orthodox Shas party, responds to a message from
The Case for an Egalitarian Prayer Space at the Western Wall
Leslie Sachs, executive director of the Women of the Wall, shares her mission in this clip (02:21) put out by
Chief Rabbi David Lau on Modern Issues in the Rabbinate
In this news clip (06:24) from i24NEWS, hear from Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi, Rabbi David Lau, about issues facing the rabbinate
Is This Goodbye to the Cheif Rabbinate’s Stronghold?
In an insightful article from the Times of Israel –“Will Orthodox Israelis’ revolt against the chief rabbinate spur a domino effect?” –
13 Percent of Israelis Identify as Reform or Conservative
This 3-minute read from the Jerusalem Post explores Israel’s move towards progressive Judaism. A recent report form the The Jewish People Policy
Should Israel Offer Public Transit on Shabbat?
In this clip (02:16), i24NEWS explores the growing, country-wide push to operate public buses on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. For religious
‘Civil Solution’ Needed for Israel’s Religious Marriage Monopoly
In this clip (04:37), meet a handful of the thousands of couples who are unable to get married in Israel
Rising Number of Israelis Marry Outside of Rabbinate in Protest
Israel is the only democratic country where civil marriage is not an option, as explained in this i24NEWS clip (03:14).
A Religious Perspective on the Jerusalem Shabbat Buses Controversy
Aish HaTorah‘s Rabbi Yaakov Salomon offers a religious perspective of the Shabbat public transit controversy in this clip (02:50). Is
Be’er Sheva’s New Buses to the Beach on Shabbat
This i24NEWS clip (02:27) spotlights public transportation on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, as one of the many points of conflict
Jewish Identity Versus Israeli Identity: A New Generation
In this i24News segment (06:49), Dr. Yair Caspi explores the emergence of a new phenomenon of young Israeli Jews from
The Conflicting Visions of Four Main Sectors of Israeli Society
In this fascinating article by Prof. Yedidia Stern, Vice President of the Israel Democracy Institute, the author outlines the character and vision
Women of the Wall: Liberating the Western Wall Again
Created by the Women of the Wall in 2013, this promotional video (05:03) introduces the goals and challenges faced by this multi-denominational
An American Jewish Educator’s Journey into the World of Israeli Secular Torah Study
In this personal account, American Jewish educator, Rabbi David Kasher, describes the growing world of secular Israeli organizations devoted to
The Renaissance of Jewish Study Among Secular Israelis
This lengthy article by Rachel Delia Benaim and Yitzhak Bronstein explores how a new generation of Israelis has begun to bridge the
How Do We Find a Torah for a Jewish Democracy?
In this video (05:53), created in celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday, Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman argues that the model of
Liberal Judaism in Israel
This introductory article presents the attitudes toward the liberal Reform and Conservative/Masorti streams of Judaism in both official status and
Rabbi David Stav: State and Religion in Israel
Produced on the eve of the Jewish New Year in 2014, this video (05:35) features Rabbi David Stav summarizing religion-state
Religion & State: The Kosher Monopoly
Produced by the Israel Democracy Institute, this video (01:49) features Dr. Shuki Friedman, Director of the Center for Religion, Nation and State, describing the financial, ethical and
Is Israel the Nation-State or Religious State of the Jewish People?
Produced by the Israel Democracy Institute, this video (02:05) features Yair Sheleg exploring how the ultra-Orthodox monopoly over religious life in Israel has led to a
CNN Segment on Ultra-Orthodox Army Draft in Israel
Produced by CNN, this short news segment (03:44) presents the tension between the ultra-Orthodox sector of Israeli society and the
2018 Israel Religion & State Index
Put together by Hiddush: Freedom of Religion for Israel, this 29-page document presents the findings of the 2018 Israel Religion & State
A Jewish Anti-Zionist Perspective to Drafting the Ultra-Orthodox to the IDF
Produced by True Torah Jews, an anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox movement, this video (05:53) presents an extreme perspective on the controversial efforts
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie: America, Israel, and the Perfect Jewish Democracy
Produced by Hiddush: Freedom of Religion for Israel, this short video (03:22) presents an interview with Israeli-American educator, writer and
Is Israel a Theocracy?
Created by Natan’s Notes,a YouTube Channel that provides “clear answers to tough questions,” this minute-long video shows how Israel is
Israel’s Religiously Divided Society
Produced by Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about global trends, this thorough video (19:01) provides
Religion & State in Israel: The Marriage Quandary
This introductory video (05:11) explores the possibility of civil marriage in a Jewish democratic state where personal status issues are currently
Religion & State in Israel: Symbiosis or Separation?
Through interviews with Jerusalem residents, rabbis and intellectuals, this introductory video (03:01) outlines the tension between religion and state in
Can Israel be Both Jewish & Democratic?
In this short video (03:46), Rabbi Velvel Belinsky suggests that in order for Israel to be both a Jewish and democratic
Separation of Religion and State: How Jewish Should Israel Be?
In this video (03:15), Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch, Dean of the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, discusses the role of Judaism in Israel,
A Religious-Zionist Perspective on Civil Marriage in Israel
In this short video (04:11) created by Ne’emanei Torah Va’Avodah, a national religious lobbying group that advocates for more moderate policies
Moshe Koppel: Saving Religion from the State
In this thought provoking video (05:18), Moshe Koppel argues for the separation of religion and state in Israel in order
MK Michaeli: The Role of Secular Jews in the Jewish State & Nation
In this important video (05:23), MK Merav Michaeli responds to the 2017 Western Wall and conversion controversies with a strong message about
The Religion-State Status Quo: From Ben Gurion to Today
This post presents resources from the Israel Democracy Institute exploring the development of legislation regarding religion and state in Israel
Educational Resources for Exploring the Western Wall Controversies
This post provides three different resources designed to help guide discussions and programming concerning some of the religious and political
How Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews Mark Yom Ha’atzmaut
This article from the Jerusalem Post explores how Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews in Israel mark the birth of the secular State
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Customs
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Prayer for the Women of the Wall
This post presents the Hebrew and English text for a special prayer written for the Women of the Wall, by
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel,
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
Music
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Israeli Rock Music’s Spiritual New Sound
This article by Yossi Klein Halavei explores the unique phenomenon of “secular” Israeli rock music becoming more inspired by Jewish
HaDag Nachash: The Sticker Song (with educational guide)
Released in 2004, amidst the Second Intifada, this hip-hop song is a collection of Israeli bumper stickers representing the full spectrum of religious
Koolulam: 1000 People Sing Bob Marley’s “One Love” in Jerusalem
This inspirational video presents 1000 people of different backgrounds who gathered together to sing “One Love” by Bob Marley in English, Hebrew
Women of the Wall: Can’t Keep Quiet
Created by the Women of the Wall, this music video puts footage from the organization’s controversial monthly Rosh Chodesh minyan at
Alma Zohar: Out of Egypt
This song by Israeli artist, Alma Zohar, criticizes current Israeli policy and public attitudes toward African refugees seeking safety in
Kobi Oz: Prayer of the Secular (with educational guide)
This post presents “Prayer of the Secular” by Kobi Oz, along with a printable educational guide including the Hebrew and
Kobi Oz & Rabbi Nissim Messika: Elohay (with educational guide)
This post presents “Elohay” by Kobi Oz, along with a printable educational guide including the Hebrew and English lyrics, explanatory footnotes for the
The Traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel,
The Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers
This post presents the English and Hebrew texts for the traditional prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces,
The IDF Sings Unetanneh Tokeh to a Melody Inspired by the Yom Kippur War
To the backdrop of footage from the Yom Kippur War, this moving video shows the IDF Chief Cantor Ltc. Shai Abramson
What else?
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Kol Ami B’Seder: The State of Israel
This educational resource by Yaara Salamon-Michaeli from the Kol Ami Jewish Peoplehood Leadership Academy provides biblical, historical and philosophical sources exploring the significance
The IDF Sings Unetanneh Tokeh to a Melody Inspired by the Yom Kippur War
To the backdrop of footage from the Yom Kippur War, this moving video shows the IDF Chief Cantor Ltc. Shai Abramson
Tzelofhad’s Daughters: A Feminist Poem About the Western Wall
This thought provoking poem by progressive Jewish feminist, Abby Caplin, draws a parallel between the biblical Daughters of Tzelofhad and
Educational Resources for Exploring the Western Wall Controversies
This post provides three different resources designed to help guide discussions and programming concerning some of the religious and political