Israel 360

Recognizing our shared sense of “Ahavat Yisrael” – love and support of Israel – Israel 360 is a group of Beth El members with varied perspectives on and connections to Israel. We are dedicated to raising awareness and fostering respectful and nuanced dialogue about Israel that encourages openness to the diversity of perspectives among the Beth El community and the Jewish community at large.

An important element of our community’s sense of identity as Jews derives from its connection to Israel. No matter what our views and perspectives are, we believe we all find common ground in Ahavat Yisrael and our connection to Israel is often deeply personal and emotional. While many of us have strongly and passionately held convictions about Israel, others avoid discussing it altogether because they feel conflicted, uncomfortable or confused. While Israel 360 is not intended to advocate for any particular view, it is committed to raising awareness and advancing dialogue.

Beth El has a proud history of support for Israel, including many educational, cultural and social programs. Israel 360 will seek to build upon Beth El’s tradition of strong support for Israel and expand that legacy to learn from a diversity of opinions in a supportive space where our community can have constructive civil dialogue about Israel, even around charged issues. We recognize that we may not always agree, but we always have the opportunity to learn from each other.

The work of Israel 360 and the environment we hope to encourage will be predicated on the following principles:

1. “Ahavat Yisrael,” love of Israel, is foundational to our work.
2. Zionism and the right and need of the Jewish people to a secure Jewish state in the land of Israel.
3. Honest, open and civil communication across diverse, even conflicting,  perspectives.
4. Humility and respectful listening and self-expression.

On a practical level, Israel 360 is also dedicated to coordinating Israel-related programming at Beth El. We are blessed with a busy shul calendar and many different groups that host important Israel programs. The Israel Affairs Committee (IAC) will continue its important and valuable work focusing on more cultural and social Israel related events, while Israel 360 will focus on all other Israel programming and support other groups and initiatives at Beth El, including Sisterhood, the Encounter Group, the Israel Film Festival and others, in addition to the IAC.

Israel 360 will serve as an “Israel program clearinghouse” to ensure the balanced coordination of content and schedules. If you want to plan a program related to Israel, contact Tamar Tait, tamarktait@gmail.com, or Mark Seidenfeld, seidenfeldmark@gmail.com, Co-chairs of Israel 360.