Dear Friends,
As we prepare for the Pesach holiday, Jews are attuned to the three levels of Jewish history: the immediate battles we are fighting on the frontlines in Israel and against Jew-hatred throughout the West; the generational responsibility to educate young Jews who understand their history and purpose; and the enduring meaning of the Jewish people embodied in the re-telling of the Exodus story.
Tikvah is doing its best to operate on all three levels—the immediate, the generational, and the eternal—and I am pleased to share our latest updates.
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I. New Online Course: Zionism, Anti-Zionism, and the Battle on Campus
Israel not only faces knives, bullets, rockets, and ballistic missiles, but a political battle against those opposing the very idea of a Jewish state, particularly in the media and on college campuses. To meet this challenge, we have partnered with former Knesset Member Dr. Einat Wilf—a compelling defender of the Zionist project—and Tikvah alumna Zoé Tara Zeigherman to release a new five-part course, "Zionism and Anti-Zionism: The History of Two Opposing Ideas." The course began as a Tikvah summer project, and it is designed especially to reach young people trying to understand the ideological antipathy to Israel.
You can register for the series here. We are particularly focused on screening the series on university campuses, through our 20+ (and counting) Tikvah Campus Chapters at schools like George Washington University, UCLA, the University of Chicago, and more. Please see the trailer below.
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II. Jewish Parents Forum—Historic Summit on Kids & Social Media
Over 200 teachers, administrators, lay leaders, and parents from 50 Jewish day schools attended a two-day Jewish Schools & Technology Summit, organized and led by Tikvah's Jewish Parents Forum. Our aim: to mobilize Jewish schools across North America to establish wise limits on social media and iPhone technology—all in the name of building a strong Jewish culture. Attendees heard from leading experts in the fields of education, medicine, and psychology. Coming out of the summit, dozens of schools have brought the message back to their communities and taken bold steps to implement these policies.
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III. The War in Israel: Sen. Cotton on Iran & Mosaic on Lebanon
The Iranian attacks on Israel inaugurated a new moment in the Israeli war against terror. On Monday, April 15, we hosted Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tikvah Chairman and former Deputy National Security Advisor Elliott Abrams, and Iran expert Ray Takeyh for a special briefing on the Israeli and American response to these unprecedented attacks. Please click here for the video. Our experts discussed the aims of the attack, Israel's strategic options, and what the current situation in the region means for the United States.
Days before Iran's attack, Tikvah's web magazine Mosaic released a timely feature essay on the true nature of the threat from Hizballah: "Is War With Lebanon Imminent?" by Raphael BenLevi. It argues that Israel must break the cycle of withdrawals and return to its older doctrine of bringing the fight to its enemies.
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IV. Pirkei Avot: Living with Jewish Values and Ethics
Rabbi Hillel: "Don’t say I will study when I have time, lest you never find the time." (Pirkei Avot 2:4)
Amid the many challenges facing the Jewish people, it is always wise to return to our most enduring ancient texts for wisdom. In this spirit, join some of Tikvah's master teachers—including novelist Dara Horn and Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter—for timely and original reflections on the lessons of Pirkei Avot. In the weeks leading up to Shavuot, we will explore themes such as fate and free will, creative purpose, and the nature of Jewish obligation.
We especially encourage parents to participate with their middle and high school children. Click here to watch the series trailer, and click here to learn more and register. We hope you will share this opportunity with family and friends.
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V. Emet Classical Academy—Building a Community of Learning
Emet Classical Academy—Tikvah's first-ever full-time Jewish school for middle and high school students—recently held its opening event for incoming parents, including moving talks by Tikvah alumni who shared how our distinctive educational approach has changed their lives, and a remarkable musical performance by one of the world's greatest living pianists. In case you missed it, Emet has been attracting significant public attention—including recent features in the Times of Israel, Bari Weiss's Free Press, and even the New Yorker. We also appeared on Tablet's popular "Unorthodox" podcast (our segment begins at 49:24).
In parallel, the Lobel Center for Jewish Classical Education is developing curricula and building a community of educators to teach the foundational ideas and texts of Western civilization through a Jewish lens. If you are an established educator, lay leader, or aspiring teacher, click here to apply for our Lobel Teachers Colloquia, our flagship in-person retreat, on June 2-4 or August 18-20 at Princeton University.
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As we all shift into Passover mode, we look to the majesty of Jewish civilization for guidance, depth, and inspiration. In that spirit, we have assembled selections on the themes of Passover, from the vast Tikvah library of essays, podcasts, videos, and courses that speak to enduring lessons and themes of the holiday. Access them by clicking here. I hope they inspire you with the Jewish confidence and courage required to defend our great Hebraic inheritance. |
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With best wishes to you and your family for a happy Passover, and with thanks—as always—for your support, |
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