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Join Rabbi Josh for a deeply personal, nuanced, and meaningful reflection on his January trip to Israel. During this trip, he had the opportunity to witness firsthand the complex realities of a nation navigating immense challenges.
Content Warning: While Rabbi Josh will not intentionally show or discuss graphic information, he will share some of the aftermath of areas affected by violence. The focus will be on personal stories, pain, and resilience, with discussions on topics such as war, trauma, and the nuanced realities of life in Israel when he visited in January.
Highlights of the Talk:
- Witnessing the Aftermath of the October 7th Attacks:
Rabbi Josh will share his experience visiting areas impacted by the October 7th attacks, including the Gaza Envelope (Otef Azah) and the NOVA Music Festival massacre site. He will recount his time with Rami Davidian, who saved over 700 lives on that day, and Shye Klein Weinstein, a survivor of the massacre.
- Kibbutz Nachal Oz and the Hostage Crisis:
Rabbi Josh will reflect on his visit to Kibbutz Nachal Oz, where 12 hostages were taken by Hamas. He’ll share his conversation with Yocheved Lipschitz, the first hostage released, and the profound impact of hearing her story.
- The Healing Power of Café Reim:
Rabbi Josh will talk about meeting Reut Karp, the owner of Café Reim in Tel Aviv, which serves as a healing space for survivors of the October 7th attacks.
- Insights from Israeli Reform Rabbis:
Rabbi Josh will share his time with Israeli Reform rabbis, including Rabbi Yael Vurgan, as they reflect on navigating their roles as spiritual leaders during this painful and uncertain time.
- Reflections on Hezbollah and the Druze Community:
Rabbi Josh will share his visit to Kibbutz Manera, devastated by Hezbollah rocket fire, and his conversation with EMT Adhan Safadi about the tragic loss of his daughter. He will also speak about his meetings with Druze leaders in the Golan Heights, offering a nuanced perspective on the complex relationships between Arab Israelis and the Jewish community.
This presentation will offer a personal, deep dive into the current moment in Israel, highlighting both the pain and resilience of individuals and communities affected by the conflict. Rabbi Josh will also share insights on the strength of the Israeli people, the importance of empathy, and the power of human connection in times of crisis.
Additional Context:
Rabbi Josh visited Israel as part of the Amplify Israel fellowship, a program for early career rabbis. He worked on two major projects during his time in Israel:
Shifting his social media focus to engage with nuanced, meaningful content about Israel and Jewish Peoplehood.
Writing a meaningful Rosh HaShanah sermon about the role of our words in conversations about Israel and Palestine. (Read here.)
We hope you can join us for this impactful evening of reflection.
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