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Encouraging a New Jewish Leadership
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| The multiple challenges facing Israeli Jewish society call for a new generation of leaders - literate in Jewish and Israeli culture, respectful of diversity, and capable of engaging others in a thoughtful dialogue about Jewish life in the State of Israel. AVI CHAI continues to view with singular importance the development of such leaders who will guide and influence the various communities to which they belong. Through the years, we have targeted various populations, from across the religious-secular spectrum, in an effort to develop leaders whose language is based on profound Jewish knowledge and an equally profound respect of others.
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Beit Morasha of Jerusalem
Prepares religious men and women for communal and educational leadership roles. Beit Morasha's educational program, with a total of over 160 post-BA students, integrates both yeshiva and academic approaches to Jewish scholarship so as to develop graduates capable of forging a common language and understanding between the secular and religious worlds. Many students pursue an M.A. degree via a joint program with Bar-Ilan University. Beit Morasha also sponsors a Beit Midrash for Social Justice, with 18 participating fellows, and a number of educational programs for the broader public, including a religious-secular beit midrash and conferences on various topics. AVI CHAI has been Beit Morasha's primary funder since its founding in 1989.
www.bmj.org.il |
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Kolot
A year-long program for leaders in business, media, law, and other professions to study Jewish texts, with a special focus on social concerns such as justice, charity, and the treatment of foreigners, and on the relevance of Jewish sources to participants' professional and daily life. Now in its tenth year, Kolot currently has 280 fellows, most of whom meet every two weeks for evening study sessions and occasionally for intensive weekend seminars. Most first-year fellows choose to continue their studies for at least a second year - a clear indication of the program's success. AVI CHAI is a founding supporter of Kolot.
http://www.kolot.info |
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MiMizrach Shemesh
MiMizrach Shemesh: A Tradition of Social Responsibility, is a community leadership center that aspires to promote social responsibility based on Jewish commitment. Established in 1999 at AVI CHAI's initiative and with the assistance of Alliance Israélite Universelle, MiMizrach Shemesh focuses on developing Jewish leaders, committed to social values, among community activists, school principals, rabbis, students, parents, and youth. During 2008 more than 380 individuals from these target groups took part in programs of study and training. MiMizrach Shemesh also develops accessible, relevant Jewish study materials that address important societal issues, intended for various populations, and based on a broad range of Jewish traditions, with a special emphasis on Jewish thinking and writing from Islamic countries.
http://www.mizrach.org.il/ |
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Pre-army Mechinot
Pre-army Mechinot provide an intensive year-long educational program for post-high school youth that combines the study of Judaism and Zionism with community service, leadership development, and pre-army training. Currently, AVI CHAI provides basic grants to 18 mechinot, comprising a total of over 740 participants, with a secular or joint religious-secular population. Mechinot qualify for AVI CHAI support if their program demonstrates: at least eight weekly study hours devoted to Judaism and Zionism; faculty from diverse backgrounds; a program of community service; and a viable financial base. A 2005 review of the graduates commissioned by AVI CHAI pointed to the significant leadership potential being realized, noting that graduates are increasingly found in training programs for Jewish educational careers and communal leadership and on the front lines of social activism.
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Tzohar
Orthodox rabbis dedicated to revitalizing the role of the rabbinate in Israeli society by engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the secular world. Tzohar began with halachic weddings adapted for secular couples; some 2,500 couples are married each year by Tzohar-trained rabbis. More recently, Tzohar has been engaged increasingly in efforts to counter trends of extremism within the religious Zionist community by espousing values of tolerance and dialogue. Tzohar rabbis also are invited increasingly to speak in more general settings on issues of broad concern to Israeli society, such as societal violence or social welfare legislation. Other Tzohar activities include conferences for rabbis on a range of topics, and a project to assist olim from the former Soviet Union to verify their "halachic" status as Jews. AVI CHAI is Tzohar's primary funder.
www.tzohar.org.il |
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