Registration
Admission
- $25.00 - JCA Members
- $36.00 - General Public
- Free - Subsidized Tuition
Location
1342 Congress St
Portland, ME 04102
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This 6-week course, led by Rabbi Andy Bachman, will draw upon the Shalom Hartman iEngage curriculum to help us confront one of the most difficult issues dividing the Jewish people today: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some wonder how they can understand, relate to, and identify with an Israel whose policies are so different from their own. Others wonder how they can talk with and tolerate Jews who advocate positions which they profoundly disrespect and believe are dangerous to the future of Israel.
“iEngage: Jewish Values and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” does not aim to shape or change politics on Israel. It does aim to change and shape the way we think about politics and the way we talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Participants are invited to engage with the ideas and values that animate different attitudes to the conflict. Political disagreement need not imply a rejection or dismissal of the other’s values. Focusing on the values and ideas that lie at the foundation of our politics will aid us in fostering greater understanding and respect for each other, without whitewashing differences.
The goal of this course is to engage participants, challenging them to think about their values and truths as well as those of others. Most importantly, it is about clarifying the values on which to begin to act. Thinking about that Israel and engaging in building that Israel is our greatest challenge and our greatest responsibility.
Course will meet from 9:30AM-11:30 AM on April 14th, April 21st, May 5th, May 12th, May 19th, and June 2nd. There will be no class on April 28th in observance of Passover and no class on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.
Andy Bachman is a rabbi who has served congregations, community centers and Hillel in New York City & beyond and now in Portland. He is active in a number of civic projects across the region, including gun safety and civil rights issues, and is at work on a book about Jewish life in the 21st century.