I heard about the 9 Adar programming, checked out the website, and realized that our synagogue had to become involved. We are partnering with Atid, a local Federation-run young people’s group, to hold a small group processing/study event the evening of Feb. 9. I’ll be sure to get you some pictures of it. Continue Reading »
An essential pre-requisite for solving a conflict is knowing who your apparent opponents are and in order to attain that knowledge there is no adequate substitute for meeting face to face and being totally open to listening to the other side as much as – or even more than – pronouncing one’s own opinions. It Continue Reading »
There are two ways to prioritize any list of things. You can begin with the large number of small items and then add the few big, important items to the list. You will certainly get more accomplished. Or you can begin with the large, difficult but vital priorities. Then, add the many smaller concerns to Continue Reading »
The peacemaker or mediator is often thought of as “neutral”, impartial or encouraging compromise. Another model, based on the principles of Nonviolent Communication, is to be a vigorous advocate for a process and solutions that value everyone’s needs. A guiding principle is that everyone gets to participate in decisions that affect them. This makes it Continue Reading »
How do we make conflict productive rather than destructive, how do we use our noticing of a problem as a way to create growth rather than enmity and how do we work with our anger to heal rather than destroy? The Torah commands us, “You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your Continue Reading »
There is no argument that Jews argue a lot; the question is whether we argue Jewishly. Most of the time, we do not. This is sad – the power of the Jewish intellect is its ability to argue in order to get to the truth, which has served us well in the academy, in the Continue Reading »
When boarding the 497 egged bus, you join the microcosm of Israel that is represented in Beit Shemesh, as people from all walks of life embark on their journey out of the city. You can tell by their dress where each one is heading. One girl is heading to the Tel Hashomer Base in her Continue Reading »
As a Harvard law student two decades ago, I became involved in the well-known Harvard mediation program. After being trained as a volunteer mediator, I was sent to local small claims courts to help disputants resolve their conflict through a mediated agreement, rather than through a judge’s decision. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Continue Reading »
8 minute Documentary film that asks Israelis, Palestinians and Persian-Israelis ONE WISH for the new President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani. Film was shot in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Bethlehem. Responses are in 4 languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Farsi and English. Our films highlight our shared humanity and are intended to be used as educational tools to Continue Reading »
World Torah MiTzion will be holding a special morning of study addressing the significance of the 9th of Adar as part of the ‘Beit Midrash Boker in Baka’ program on Thursday Feb. 6th from 9 am – 12 noon at Nitzanim Synagogue in Jerusalem. Around the world, Torah MiTzion Kollel centers will be engaging their Continue Reading »
