Two leading Jewish intellectuals - British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and writer and Israeli activist Amos Oz - conducted a spirited dialogue recently at Bar-Ilan University on the compelling issues facing Israel today. The dialogue was entitled "Israel: Dreams and Reality".
Among the topics discussed: What does it mean for Israel to be a Jewish state? Has Judaism in Israel become sectarian? What's happened to post-Zionism following the collapse of the Oslo process? Should religious Jews be engaged in the search for influence rather than the pursuit of power? Should secular children be receiving greater education in their heritage?
Despite coming from seemingly opposing poles - secular Israel and religious Diaspora - the two leaders agreed on many issues. They both agreed on the importance of the Hebrew language, on the centrality of Israel for Jewish culture, on the need for social justice, on the need to protect the Jewish People's "nutritional texts" (Oz), and on the need for dialogue between different sectors of Jewish thought. Those who attended the discussion say that the two were so conciliatory and agreeable that Amos Oz was led to quip, "I'm ready to be Minister of Religion in your government, Rabbi Sacks." The program, "Israel: Dreams and Reality" was held under the auspices of Bar-Ilan University's Department of Political Studies, Lainer Chair for Democracy and Civility, Argov Center for the Study of the Jewish People, the Chair for Society and Judaism, and the Program in Conflict Resolution. Over 250 people packed the audience. Yediot Achronot and The Jerusalem Post featured the dialogue in text and photos.
Among the topics discussed: What does it mean for Israel to be a Jewish state? Has Judaism in Israel become sectarian? What's happened to post-Zionism following the collapse of the Oslo process? Should religious Jews be engaged in the search for influence rather than the pursuit of power? Should secular children be receiving greater education in their heritage?
Despite coming from seemingly opposing poles - secular Israel and religious Diaspora - the two leaders agreed on many issues. They both agreed on the importance of the Hebrew language, on the centrality of Israel for Jewish culture, on the need for social justice, on the need to protect the Jewish People's "nutritional texts" (Oz), and on the need for dialogue between different sectors of Jewish thought. Those who attended the discussion say that the two were so conciliatory and agreeable that Amos Oz was led to quip, "I'm ready to be Minister of Religion in your government, Rabbi Sacks." The program, "Israel: Dreams and Reality" was held under the auspices of Bar-Ilan University's Department of Political Studies, Lainer Chair for Democracy and Civility, Argov Center for the Study of the Jewish People, the Chair for Society and Judaism, and the Program in Conflict Resolution. Over 250 people packed the audience. Yediot Achronot and The Jerusalem Post featured the dialogue in text and photos.