With a new Israeli government in place that centers Ultra-Orthodox and -nationalist coalition partners, how can Israelis and diaspora Jews outside of Israel respond constructively to this government’s problematic policies and its potential threat to democracy? How can more liberal Zionists, lever...

Amid mass protests, escalating social unrest, and widespread opposition, the Knesset passed on Monday the first major bill of the government’s judicial overhaul, which will limit the power of the courts in reviewing government decisions and appointments. Unpack the significance of this law’s pass...

As night falls and Israel’s Memorial Day ends, mark the momentous occasion of transition to Israel’s 75th Independence Day. We will celebrate with music, remarks, and moments of blessing to mark this most auspicious birthday.

Join in person live from the PAS Sanctuary following our dialogue wit...

As Israelis head back to the polls on November 1 for the fifth time in three years, David Halperin, CEO of Israel Policy Forum, will discuss with Rabbi Cosgrove, who the key players are, what to look out for in this round of voting, and what’s at stake.

David A. Halperin is the chief executi...

As the results in the latest Israeli election are called and the majority parties attempt to form a new government, what does this mean for the future of Israeli politics and society? Times of Israel correspondent Jacob Magid and Rabbi Zuckerman discuss the wide-ranging impacts of this election b...

Being a proud Zionist seems more daunting than ever. Supporters of Israel must often reckon with the possible repercussions of expressing this part of their identity, especially on college campuses and in young-adult circles. In honor of Yom HaAtzma’ut, our panel will discuss navigating these com...

Join us as we host a special guest, Knesset Member Rabbi Gilad Kariv, in dialogue with Rabbi Cosgrove. As a Reform rabbi committed to promoting a more inclusive and pluralistic vision of Judaism in Israel, Kariv will share the latest efforts and challenges to further this cause, especially with a...

Yaron Edel, who served with the rank of Major in the IDF and fought in the Second Lebanon War and the Intifada, shares his story about how he uses music to help with his PTSD, and his work with other soldiers through his organization, Shards, one of the most prominent in the field. In this conver...

When we think about food, we usually think of the food we consume, but food impacts our lives in so many ways both on and off the plate. Renowned Israeli food writer Gil Hovav will share his journey from growing up in Jerusalem to making a career out of Israeli food journalism. He and our own Shl...

Two critical, late-breaking news items relating to Israel have emerged this week: Amnesty International declared Israel an apartheid state, and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declared that his government will not be able to move forward with the plan to formally establish an egalitarian section o...

Minister Dr. Nachman Shai and Rabbis Elliot Cosgrove, Ammiel Hirsch, and Chaim Steinmetz, moderated by Rabbi Lori Koffman

What is the future of Israel-diaspora Jewish relations? Explore this question with Dr. Nachman Shai, Israel’s new Minister of Diaspora Affairs, and a panel of Reform, Conser...

Ethiopian-Israeli singer and songwriter Aveva Dese is a rising star in the Israeli music scene. As a child to Jewish parents who suffered from persecution and struggled to come from Ethiopia to Israel, Dese tells her unique story through her music.

This event is co-sponsored by Central Synagogue...

Gallerist, curator, and art historian Andrea Meislin shares her experiences of working with Israeli artists, including opening a Chelsea gallery, and gives us the scoop on her current work producing a wide range of artistic projects.
This event was hosted by the Arts Engagement Committee.

Uriya Rosenman is an Israeli educator and creator, and Sameh Zakout is a Palestinian musician and actor. In their viral YouTube video "Let's Talk Straight," which has been viewed over four million times Israel and has over 500 million views through international news coverage, the two rap insults...

As the former director of the Shin Bet, Israel's security agency responsible for counter-terrorism efforts, Admiral Ami Ayalon reflects on his life as a mirror to Israel's story: battles fought, losses and successes of a young country, and the importance of hope for shaping a new future.
Ayalon i...

Listen to Rabbi Cosgrove in dialogue with Dr. Mishy Harman, Isaac Herzog, and Karin Lagziel. They discuss Israel’s complex nature and what lies ahead for the Jewish state.

Isaac Herzog is Chairman of JAFI and a former member of the Knesset. Dr. Mishy Harman is co-founder and host of the radio pr...

Because of Israel’s modest size, the country’s environmental problems are largely reliant on its neighbors. Without cooperation from bordering countries, progress in areas from stream restoration to species repatriation will prove to be difficult.

Mehereta came to Israel as a child from Ethiopia without knowing how to read or write. She became a contestant on the reality show The Ambassador, went on to serve as deputy mayor of Tel Aviv, and ran for Knesset under the Meretz party.

Embark on a visual journey of the Shvil Yisrael, the Israel National Trail, as Aryeh Green recounts his personal story of love, loss, and healing. Green made aliyah in 1984 and has worked in Israeli politics with various democracy activists. He hiked the trail as part of his search for personal t...

While we are encouraged to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many women suffering from abuse and violence by their spouses. For them, home is the least safe place. As part of our programming during Women’s History Month we will discuss this issue plaguing women in Israel on Intern...

What are the implications of this week’s Israeli Supreme Court decision recognizing Reform and Conservative conversion to Judaism as part of the Law of Return? Examine all the angles with Rakefet Ginsburg, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel; Nicole Maor of Israel Religious Actio...

Yosef I. Abramowitz is an American-Israeli human rights activist, educator, and entrepreneur who co-founded Israel’s leading solar developer, Araya Power Company. He is recognized as one of the pioneers of the solar energy industry in both Israel and Africa. Learn about his work in advancing the ...