We believe Israel is a cornerstone that connects us all.
That is why Temple Beth Sholom includes Israel as one of our five core values.
Our personal identify as Jews is connected with Israel in three domains – with Am Yisrael (the People of Israel); with Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel); and with Medinat Yisrael (the State of Israel). We encourage each of you, where ever you are in your Jewish journey, to continue to discover your personal bond with Israel.
People
When you think of Israel, ask yourself “how is my connection with the People of Israel (Am Yisrael) a part of my identity? From which Jewish communities in the world did your family come? How is the Shoah, the Holocaust, part of your identity? Did anyone in your family settle in Israel? What are your favorite Jewish holiday memories? Who are your favorite Jewish artists, sports figures, public officials, and writers? If you are Jew-by-choice, who converted, remember that the rabbis say that your soul was with those who received the Torah at Mt. Sinai, so your connection with the People of Israel goes way back!
State
When you think of Israel, ask yourself “how is my connection with the State of Israel (Medinat Yisrael) a part of my identity?
What is your earliest memory of the state of Israel – the UN vote to establish a Jewish state; Ben Gurion’s announcing Israel’s independence; the Six-Day War; the peace treaty with Egypt? What makes you proud about the state of Israel? What Israeli food, music, movies, and culture do you like most?
We are so blessed to live in a time when a Jewish state exists. So many Jews over our three millennium have not lived during the time of a Jewish state. How does that shape your personal story?
Travel
At Temple Beth Sholom, we believe that the best way to foster a relationship with Israel is by experiencing the wonders that Israel has to offer in person.
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Sister Congregation – Domim
Kehilat Dror models innovative, egalitarian Judaism in Jerusalem as a member congregation of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ).
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Connections (People)
The Jewish Agency
The Jewish Agency for Israel brings Jews to Israel, connects Israel to Jews, and helps build a better society in Israel and beyond. The Jewish Agency’s mission is to inspire Jews throughout the world to connect with their people, heritage, and homeland, and to empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and a strong Israel.
Talk Israel
The first mobile app to bring you digital content from dozens of sources tailored to your personal preferences and interests.
Travel (Land)
Taglit – Birthright
Taglit-Birthright Israel (Hebrew: תגלית), also known as Birthright Israel or simply Birthright, is a not-for-profit educational organization that sponsors free ten-day trips to Israel for young adults of Jewish heritage ages 18–26. Taglit is the Hebrew word for discovery. Join more than 400,000 Jewish young people from 66 countries who have received the gift of a free trip to Israel!
Masa Israel Experience
Looking for a life-changing experience in Israel? Masa Israel Journey makes it easy for you to connect to transformative, immersive programs in Israel. Masa Israel Journey, a public-service organization founded by the Prime Minister’s Office of the Government of Israel, together with The Jewish Agency for Israel, is the leading organization in the long-term Israel experience space, and it sets the industry standard. With more than 200 different options, Masa Israel Journey can help you find the ideal way to connect to your Jewish identity and freedom to explore your own personal, academic, and career interests. Masa Israel Journey also offers scholarships, provides expertise, and supports you throughout the entire process of finding the Israel experience that’s right for you. Masa Israel offers a diverse portfolio of two-to-twelve-month study, service, and career development programs for young Jews ages 18-30. Since its founding, over 100,000 young Jews from more than 60 countries have participated in Masa Israel programs.
Israeli News & Weather (State)
The Times of Israel
The Times of Israel is a Jerusalem-based online newspaper founded in 2012 to document developments in Israel, the Middle East, and around the Jewish world. The Times of Israel has no partisan political affiliation. It seeks to present the news fair-mindedly and offers a wide range of analysis and opinion pieces.
Jerusalem Post
The Jerusalem Post is the leading news source for English-speaking Jews since 1932. This publication covers Israel news, updates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Middle East and the Jewish World.
HaAretz
Ha’aretz means the “land of Israel”. Founded in 1918, Ha’aretz is Israel‘s oldest daily newspaper. The paper’s editorial content is considered left of center.
YNet News
YNet News is the online English-language Israeli news website of Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel’s most-read newspaper, and the Hebrew news portal, Ynet. YNet News was established in 2005 in Tel Aviv to provide reporting and news from Israel and the Middle East to the Israeli community and its readers.
Israel Weather
AIPAC – American Israel Public Affairs Committee (State)
AIPAC is a bipartisan organization of United States. citizens dedicated to strengthening, protecting ,and promoting the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of both countries. AIPAC’s staff and citizen activists educate decision makers about the bonds that unite the U.S. and Israel and how ensuring that the Jewish state is safe, strong and secure is in America’s best interest.
Hebrew Literacy (State)
Are you going to Israel or have Israeli family and friends, and want to speak Hebrew with them? Learn conversational Hebrew and enrich your mind. The synagogue offers Hebrew language classes. Many websites and helpful learning aids can help you translate Hebrew to English, help you learn Hebrew words, and help you practice your conversational skills.
Hebrew Podcast
Subscribe to Hebrew podcasts and learn Hebrew at your own pace through user-friendly video and audio lessons, flash cards, games, and newspapers.
Hebrew Verbs and Conjugation
This is a free website offering an easy way to learn the common verbs and how to say them in present, past, and future tense, and in gender, single and plural tense.
Google Translate
A family member or friend from Israel sent you an email or PowerPoint presentation or an article in Hebrew? Just cut-and-paste words and paragraphs from English to Hebrew and Hebrew to English using this free website.
Temple Beth Sholom Israel Volunteer Leadership and Staff
Israel Committee Co-Chairs
Jonathan Sepsenwol and Michael Conway
LIAISONS
AIPAC – TBS Liaison Miriam Steinberg
AIPAC Miami Clubs Danny Hertzberg/Mark Meland
Brothers for Life Project Daniel Nir
David M Dubrow Scholarship in Israel Neil Dubrow
Taglit (Birthright) Stuart Rohatiner
Magen David Adom Andrew and Brenda Nullman
BESHTY Israel VP Goldie LieberPerson
SLJ – Israel / Hebrew Curriculum Carl and Robin Linder
Innovative School Israel / Hebrew TBD
Israel Summer Trip & Bnei Mitzvah TBD
Israel Committee Staff Liaison: Mark Baranek
School for Living Judaism: Barb Shimansky
BESHTY: Rabbi Joanne Loiben