Is it Time to Rethink the Israel-Diaspora Relationship?

A Special Yom Ha’atzma’ut Webinar from JTS

A provocative discussion with Professor Arnold M. Eisen, chancellor, JTS, and Dr. Hillel Ben Sasson, founder and CEO, Center for Liberal Democracy, and visiting assistant professor of Israel Studies, JTS, about how Israel and Diaspora Jewry influence each other—and how we can develop a new vision for working together.

Since the early days of the State of Israel, the official representatives of Diaspora and Israeli Jewry have agreed to maintain a relationship of strong mutual affection while remaining politically at arm’s length. 70 years on, do Israel and the Jewish Diaspora now need to reconsider how they can best support each other’s progress?

About the Speakers

Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen, one of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism, is the seventh chancellor of JTS. Since taking office in 2007, Chancellor Eisen has transformed the education of religious, pedagogical, professional, and lay leaders for North American Jewry, with a focus on graduating highly skilled, innovative leaders who bring Judaism alive in ways that speak authentically to Jews at a time of rapid and far-reaching change.

Dr. Hillel Ben Sasson is visiting assistant professor of Israel studies at JTS. He also teaches political thought at the Oranim Teachers’ College in Israel. Dr. Ben Sasson received his PhD in Jewish theology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2013. He has published public and scholarly essays on classical Jewish theology as well as on Israeli politics and political theology. In addition, Dr. Ben-Sasson contributes to the Haaretz book supplement and writes speeches for the Israeli president.