The issue of conversion and the legal implications for Israeli citizens has, once again, become a topic of great discussion - both in the Knesset and the global Jewish world. Currently, the recently proposed changes have again been tabled [until mid-year] in order to allow for the possibility of compromise. This past October, at JPPI's 2010 Conference on the Future of the Jewish People, the conversion issue was the subject of a working group discussion (Conversion, between Crisis and Dialogue). Examined were points of contention and controversy; what the existing situation looks like and what are its practical implications. A just released paper summarizes the main ideas raised in discussions and offers some policy recommendations. Following is an excerpt: The existing situation and its … Continue Reading
Meaning and Belonging in Israel and the Diaspora Today
by Yehudah Mirsky The challenge of managing and deepening relationships between Israel and world Jewry has been with us for decades. Today far-reaching changes are being rung on these familiar questions. For Diaspora Jews, Israel is one possible element of their Jewishness; for Israeli Jews, Jewishness is one possible element of their Israeliness. What has changed? We live in an historical moment which complicates perhaps as never before relationships between the particular and the universal, the global and the local. The welter of forces to which we refer in shorthand as “globalization” and “the Internet” are collapsing distances and reconfiguring the very shape of identity. Jewish identity itself is hard to define, but whatever it is, it is some synthesis of meaning and … Continue Reading
A Fundamental Solution to the ‘Conversion Crisis’ or a Practical One?
by Shmuel Rosner The difficulty of defining who is a Jew and, accordingly, the increasingly difficult task of agreeing upon the nature of the “gateway” to the Jewish people (conversion), has accompanied the Jewish people throughout history. From time to time a crisis erupts when a change in policy is made regarding the question of conversion. Such a crisis recently arose in response to the attempt of Israel Beiteinu MK David Rotem, with the agreement of the haredi parties in the Knesset, to change the conversion law. This recent attempt was met with great criticism on the part of Diaspora communities - alleging that the proposed bill will empower the Chief Rabbinate and its ability to enforce its agenda. The first question that must be raised in every discussion related to conversion … Continue Reading
When Our Destiny is at Stake
For the first time, at the Conference on the Future of the Jewish People in Jerusalem, 120 participants are raising issues regarding the status of the Jewish Diaspora in peace agreements between Israel and the Arab world in issues such as the final status of Jerusalem, the Jewish character of Israel and the future access to holy sites. The conference is organized by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI). Attending are Jewish leaders, decision makers and distinguished thinkers from around the world with the goal of fashioning a strategic perspective for the Jewish People in light of the threats, challenges and opportunities that currently exist. The issue of conversion and the disagreements between Israel’s religious authorities and the Diaspora is also on the agenda by way of a … Continue Reading
Conference on the Future of the Jewish People
The Conference on the Future of the Jewish People will take place next week, October 20-22, in Jerusalem. The conference is organized by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) with the presence and participation of President Shimon Peres as Honorary Chair. The JPPI leadership, headed by Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat and Mr. Leonid Nevzlin, will present the policy recommendations to President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu, along with the leaders of Jewish organizations and communities around the world. For the first time, 120 conference participants will raise issues regarding the status of the Jewish Diaspora in peace agreements between Israel and the Arab world in issues such as the final status of Jerusalem, the Jewish character of Israel and the future access to holy sites. The … Continue Reading
‘Drifting’ is Not an Option for Jews
by Stephen H. Hoffman I can’t remember any time in reading about Jewish history that we weren’t worried about our future and our survival - our physical survival in Israel and our spiritual survival outside of Israel. Worry seems to be in the Jewish genome. Now the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI) has written a report titled “2030: Alternative Futures for the Jewish People.” Whether you are an optimist or a pessimist, there’s plenty to worry about. The study provides an overview of factors that have affected the rise, thriving and decline of civilizations over the millennia. Among them are religion and identity; education, science and technology; language; creative leadership and political elites; war; internal dissent and national and health disasters. There are many … Continue Reading
2030: The Recommendations
The Recommendations - 2030: Alternative Futures for the Jewish People The authors’ opinion is that the Jewish People has never been as strong as it is today, in terms of both the military power and global standing of Israel, and the ‘soft power’ embedded in the political and economic powers of the Jewish community in the US. Cyberspace has contributed significantly to Jewish development, using innovative information and communication technologies that have enhanced communication between the State of Israel and Diaspora communities, between various Jewish organizations, and among Jewish individuals around the world. The vast majority of Jews reside in the world’s wealthiest countries. Although, in terms of numbers the Jewish People has not yet recovered from the Holocaust, in other major … Continue Reading
Alternative Futures for the Jewish People
Executive Summary - 2030: Alternative Futures for the Jewish People The Alternative Futures project identifies main trends and key drivers shaping the possible alternative futures of the Jewish People. The time horizon chosen is 2030, which is near enough to enable identification of main drivers and alternative futures, but far enough in the future to permit effective interventions. The underlying value position of this project is striving for a future in which the Jewish People thrives in terms of culture, quality of life and sense of cohesion, based on pluralistic Jewish values, with the State of Israel as the core state of the Jewish People. The operational goal of this project is to provide Jewish People decision-makers, thinkers, opinion shapers and communities at large with a professional … Continue Reading
The Jewish People in 2030: A Positive Future or a Nightmare Reality?
"In the year 2009 two unexpected, un-expectable and counter-expected events happened, namely the global financial-economic crisis and the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. As to the first event, it may well be that the financial-economic crisis should in principle have been predicted in minds that had not been blinded by inadequate theories and linear views of history. As to the second, seasoned observers agree that only a few years ago the possibility that an African-American, born to a white woman and a black father would be elected by a vast majority as President of the United States of America would have been nearly inconceivable. Taken together these two foundational events - sure to have significant impact on the future - demonstrate the nonlinear … Continue Reading
Changing of the Guard at JPPPI
Founding Director of the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI), Avinoam Bar-Yosef, announced yesterday three new appointees joining the leadership of the Institute. Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has been appointed Chairman of JPPPI’s Board of Directors and Professional Guiding Council. Ambassador Eizenstat replaces Ambassador Dennis Ross who left the position last January to join the Obama administration. Leonid Nevzlin has been appointed Associate Chairman of JPPPI’s Board of Directors and Professional Guiding Council. Nevzlin, who has a background in policy planning, is an expert on the FSU and is an active philanthropist who has been involved in and supportive of Jewish educational projects. In Israel, he established the NADAV Fund to support initiatives that strengthen … Continue Reading
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