Category: Tamrurim (Guideposts)

  • In Memory: 12 Druze Children

    In Memory: 12 Druze Children

    When I moved to Atlanta, the Counsel General (aka Ambassador) from Israel to this region was Reda Mansour. Mr. Mansour is a Druze-Israeli and brought to our community a deeper understanding of the lives of non-Jewish Israelis. He represented their commitment to a strong and lasting Israel for people of all faiths. Today, a Druze…

    —

    in

  • My Holy Tent of Dialogue

    Ohalechka is often translated into “Tents” and Yaacov/Jacob’s other name was Yisrael. Jews are known as B’nai Yisrael – meaning the descendants of Jacob and inheritors of his covenant with God (which includes the Holy Land). A sanctuary is known as a place of holiness. The words uttered in them are sacred. Judaism extends that…

    —

    in

  • The Attempted Un-Coupling of Zionism from Judaism

    I have been so distraught over educated, connected Jews (like rabbis and educators and Mandy Patinkin) calling for unilateral ceasefire, using words like “genocide” and similar (all against Israel). 1/ Zionism began in 586 BCE. Read Psalm 137 for documentation on such. We (global Jewry) are known biblically as B’nei Yisrael (and the Quran even…

    —

    in ,

  • Naqba

    Today is the commemoration of what the Palestinian community calls Naqba. I have written many times how I feel the UN and UK have great responsibility in the events that unfolded and yet Israel is solely blamed. I also feel one failure of Jewish education is not teaching this event in any way. Ignoring it…

    —

    in

  • Rafah Invasion

    When anti-terrorism Muslim scholars (who are Palestinian rights activists) “get it” more than some Jewish leaders (who align supremely far left)…. I can’t wrap my head around how some of my colleagues are fully blaming Israel for the tragedies within Gaza instead of holding Hamas accountable. I don’t deny that there is terrible suffering in Gaza and…

    —

    in

  • Personal Statement on Israel/Palestine

    My connection to Israel is both deeply intellectual and profoundly emotional. My work teaching, leading, and writing about Jewish identity over many years has shaped a perspective that holds multiple truths at once: an unwavering commitment to the security and dignity of Jewish life, a firm rejection of terrorism, and a critical awareness of the…

    —

    in

  • Links to Israel-Related Blogs

    In addition to the brief thoughts collected on the Tamrurim page, here is a list of more in-depth blogs I have written about Israel. Unexpected Impact (of my own Israel Education). (Nov 2019) My Heart is in the East (May 2021) Jewish Values & the Israel-Hamas War. (Oct 2023) Israel-Hamas News and Resources: Critical Thinking a Must (Nov 2023)…

    —

    in

  • Guideposts

    I chose to name this section of my site Tamrurim which means “guideposts” because guideposts have a connotation of giving a person advice (sometimes stronger advice than others) and they help people navigate an active journey. My relationship (the relationship of American Jews) to Israel is an active journey. Sometimes things can change very rapidly…

    —

    in