October 23: This morning I met with a representative of the Jewish Agency for Israel to explore ways in which we can bring Israeli programming to the community in the context of the Sheliach program of the Jewish Agency. We explore some very promising possibilities which I hope to discuss with the community upon my return.

The Plenary in the morning was an emotional journey listening to the story of an Israeli mother who lost both sons in wars as well as from entrepreneurs who are firmly committed not only to the economic development of Israel, but also to the social fabric of the country. All this was topped with a keynote address by Yitzhak Herzog, new Chair of the Jewish Agency and Michael Siegel, past chair of the small cities group on the JFNA board, Past chairman of the JFNA board and current chairman of the board of the Jewish Agency. Both, Herzog and Michael reaffirmed their commitment to a permanent dialogue between Israel and the North American Jewish Community. All the speakers emphasized that such a dialogue needs to be a dialogue between equals.

The first of the afternoon workshops I attended was on groups making an effort to promote peace through joint projects with Palestinian partners. There is a lot to say on the subject, pro and con, and will be happy to share it upon my return. We are now waiting for the beginning of the afternoon plenary, which will focus on the future of the Federation System. After the plenary we are headed for Jerusalem for a meeting at the Knesset...

One issue that keeps coming up, in my opinion, is the profound lack of understanding between American Jews and Israelis about each other circumstances and realities. Never before the need to talk was more pressing. For the future of Israel, and for our own future. I’m bringing with me English editions of the Jerusalem Post and HaAretz with lots of editorials and opinion columns on the GA. Can we breach the gap? Only if we keep an open mind... More tomorrow.

 

the Board of Director’s meeting last night, our own Al Grinspun got formally elected to the Board of JFNA!. We heard of the current Chair of the Museum of the Jewish Peole at Beit HaTfutzot, and we celebrated the achievements of our movement in the last 12 months, including the emergency assistance for Florence in our area.

This morning we had a stellar line out of speakers, including the founder and current president of Israeli Flying Aid, which has been providing support for Syrian refugees in Syria since 2012, and we ended the lineaup with none other than Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

We a4e now engaged in a dialogue with our Israeli counterparts on a verity of issues, from the economic integration of the Arab citizens of Israel, to the developments in Israeli technology and Medicine to listening to the opinions of our Israeli family (workshop was called “How we see it: straight talk from Israel program participants”). After this wonderful Israeli lunch we are currently enjoying, I will participate in another workshop called “It’s complicated: Israel education and the next generations”...I’ll write more tomorrow about the evening we’ll have today at HaYarkon Park with a unique experience called “Koolulam Under the Stars”...

October 21: i went today in a tour os several Amal schools in the Tel Aviv area. In one of these high schools, the students learn by working directly on turbines, F-16 and helicopters. This school also has an impressive 92 % of students who pass the college matriculation exam...

Getting ready for tonight’s JFNA Board of delegates meeting...

 

On this page, I will report every night from Israel on my participation at the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Tel-Aviv