JTS Expanding the Conversation

What does it mean to be a Jewish and democratic state?In this episode, Dr. Roy Peled—legal scholar and former youth activist—reflects on the legal and political forces shaping Israel’s identity. Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Peled traces the unfinished story of Israel’s constitution and the impact of Basic Laws on minority rights—especially the Arab minority. With clarity and nuance, he unpacks the political forces behind the Nation-State Law, the shifting role of the judiciary, and the tensions between national identity and democratic principles. Peled brings both scholarly insight and personal conviction, inviting listeners to engage deeply with questions of power, belonging, and constitutional change in Israel today. Bio of Roy PeledDiscussion Questions Constitutional IdentityDr. Peled discusses the absence of a formal Israeli constitution. What do you think are the implications—positive or negative—of defining a state's identity without a written constitution?Majority and MinorityPeled highlights a lack of clear vision for the role of the Arab minority in Israel. How might a state balance national identity with full inclusion of minorities? What models from other countries, if any, come to mind?The Role of the CourtsWhat tensions emerge between legal decisions that protect individual rights and those that shape public or national identity? How should courts navigate these tensions?Nuance in DebateDr. Peled criticizes the polarization of conversations around Israel, both in Israel and abroad. What helps you hold space for nuance when discussing Israel’s identity and minority rights?Personal ValuesDr. Peled identifies as a Zionist who believes in equality and democracy. How do your personal values shape how you engage in conversations about Israel? What assumptions do you bring to the table?Show Notes VideoRoy Peled speaking at Israel at a CrossroadsFurther ReadingBasic Law: Israel -- The Nation State of the Jewish People (Originally adopted in 2018)

What does Jewish pluralism actually look like in Israel today? In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rakefet Ginsberg, Executive Director of the Masorti Movement in Israel, reflects on how Israelis are redefining religious identity and reclaiming spiritual space—from the egalitarian Kotel to public Yom Kippur services in Tel Aviv. Drawing on her work at the grassroots level, she offers stories of coexistence, struggle, and hope, and makes a compelling case for expanding access to Judaism that is both meaningful and inclusive. Bio of Rakefet Ginsberg Discussion QuestionsPluralism in PracticeRakefet Ginsberg described the egalitarian section of the Kotel as a space where diverse Jewish expressions coexist. What does this tell us about how pluralism functions outside of formal policy? What challenges and opportunities does this model present?Ownership of JudaismGinsberg emphasizes the need for Israelis to "take ownership" of their Judaism. What might that look like in practice—for religious, secular, and traditional Jews?Building Trust Across DifferenceHow can trust be built between communities with vastly different religious worldviews? What lessons can we take from Ginsberg’s conversation with Rabbi Eliezer Melamed?The Role of InstitutionsWhat role should state institutions like the Chief Rabbinate play in defining or regulating Jewish life in Israel?Sources of HopeIn difficult times, Ginsberg points to community, song, prayer, and memory as sources of hope. What spiritual or communal practices sustain you in moments of challenge?Show Notes VideoRakefet Ginsberg speaking at Israel at a CrossroadsFurther ReadingMasorti MovementRabbi Eliezer Melamed "The Reform Jews Prayer in ‘Ezrat Yisrael’" Weekly Article Revivim (July 24, 2021)Rabbi Daniel Gordis "The one where Yom Kippur escaped from the synagogue..." Israel from the Inside (October 9, 2022)

What role can a library play in a time of national crisis? In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Dr. Raquel Ukeles, Director of Collections at the National Library of Israel, reflects on how cultural institutions like the library serve as spaces of dialogue, connection, and resilience. Drawing on her experience overseeing one of the most important repositories of Jewish, Israeli, and Middle Eastern culture, Dr. Ukeles shares how the National Library has responded to war, social fragmentation, and political tension—not by retreating from controversy, but by doubling down on its mission to collect, curate, and make accessible the voices of all communities. This conversation, recorded as part of the “Israel at a Crossroads” convening hosted by JTS, challenges us to consider the power of memory work, the ethics of curation, and the library’s potential to shape the public square. Bio of Raquel Ukeles Discussion QuestionsThe Role of Cultural InstitutionsDr. Ukeles describes libraries as civic spaces that hold and reflect a nation’s complexity. How do you see the role of libraries, museums, or archives in your own society? How do they shape public values or political culture?Collecting in Times of CrisisHow should institutions decide what to collect during moments of upheaval or war? What are the risks of documenting events too quickly—or too slowly?Pluralism and the Public GoodThe National Library of Israel collects materials across religious, ethnic, and ideological lines. What does it mean for a state institution to be inclusive in this way? What tensions might arise from such a commitment?Memory as ResponsibilityDr. Ukeles suggests that memory is not only about preservation but about shaping the future. How can remembering—or forgetting—impact a society’s direction?Libraries as Spaces for DialogueShould libraries be places for civic repair or democratic renewal? What would that look like in practice?Video/ImageRaquel Ukeles speaking at Israel at a CrossroadsFurther Reading"National Library of Israel launches ‘unprecedented’ effort to collect everything it can about Oct. 7 attacks" eJewishPhilanthropy (November 9, 2023)National Library of Israel Links:Bearing Witness ArchiveExplore the CollectionsOctober 7th Memorial Wall

What does it mean to live fully in two worlds—and feel at home in neither?In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Dr. Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yahya, one of Israel’s leading experts on Arab society and state policy, shares a deeply personal and analytical perspective on the experience of Palestinian citizens of Israel. Drawing from her research and lived experience, she explores how government policy, economic marginalization, and social separation shape everyday life for Arab Israelis—and what it means to seek belonging, dignity, and equality in a divided society.This conversation, recorded after her appearance at the JTS convening Israel at a Crossroads, offers a rare and nuanced window into the complexities of identity, the enduring impact of the Nation-State Law, and the fragile promise of a shared future.Bio of Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yahya Discussion QuestionsGlass Ceilings and Early AwarenessDr. Haddad Haj-Yahya begins her story with a childhood memory of visiting a kibbutz and realizing that her dreams were bounded by social barriers. How do early experiences of exclusion shape identity and ambition? Can you recall a moment when you recognized social or cultural boundaries for the first time?Identity and Belonging“We are part of the Palestinian people, and we are citizens of the State of Israel.” How does Dr. Haddad Haj-Yahya describe the experience of holding both identities? What tensions—and possibilities—does she identify in that duality?Measuring DemocracyDr. Haddad Haj-Yahya suggests that one way to evaluate a democracy is by how it treats its largest minority. What does this lens reveal about Israeli society? How might that same question apply to other democracies?October 7 and AftermathHow did the events of October 7 and the war in Gaza impact Arab-Jewish relations within Israel, according to Dr. Haddad Haj-Yahya? What role can shared grief, empathy, or civic dialogue play in times of national crisis?Hope and ResponsibilityDespite the challenges she outlines, Dr. Haddad Haj-Yahya emphasizes the need for shared society and a win-win future. What forces or values give her hope? What role can external Jewish communities play in supporting that vision?SHOW NOTES Video/ImageNasreen Haddad Haj-Yahya speaking at Israel at a CrossroadsFurther ReadingPublications by NAS Research & ConsultingPublications by Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yahya from the Israel Democracy InstituteInsisting on Democracy for All (Remarks from the New Israel Fund's Conference, May 15, 2025)

Welcome to the first episode of Expanding the Conversation, a new podcast from The Jewish Theological Seminary. This season, we bring you insights from Zionism: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond, a JTS convening that explores the evolving meaning of Zionism and the Israel-Diaspora relationship. In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Sarna, Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History and Director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University, explores the roots of North American Zionism. He discusses how technological advancements—particularly steam travel—enabled the practical realization of Zionist aspirations. Dr. Sarna also examines pivotal historical moments, from the pogroms of 1881 to the rise of anti-Semitism in Vienna, which shaped the movement’s trajectory. Additionally, he highlights the role of Louis Brandeis in reshaping American Zionism and argues for reclaiming and embracing the term "Zionism" in contemporary discourse.Discussion Questions:Dr. Sarna argues that steam travel was a key technological factor that made Zionism possible. How does technological advancement shape political and ideological movements? Can you think of other historical or contemporary examples where technology transformed a movement’s feasibility?Sarna notes that 1881 was an “October 7th moment” for Jews, when optimism about their place in Russia collapsed. How does historical trauma shape political movements? Can we draw parallels to more recent global events?Dr. Sarna stresses the importance of embracing and reclaiming the term "Zionism" rather than allowing others to define it negatively. How do labels and terminology affect public discourse, and what are effective ways to engage in conversations about contentious terms?