JTS Expanding the Conversation

Roy Peled

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 Peled [https://english.colman.ac.il/staff_members/dr-roy-peled/#:~:text=Roy%20Peled%20is%20a%20Senior,Interdisciplenary%20Center%20and%20an%20LL.] Discussion Questions  1. Constitutional Identity Dr. 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? 2. Majority and Minority Peled 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? 3. The Role of the Courts What tensions emerge between legal decisions that protect individual rights and those that shape public or national identity? How should courts navigate these tensions? 4. Nuance in Debate Dr. 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? 5. Personal Values Dr. 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 Video * Roy Peled [https://youtu.be/rmer8-Mnsyo?si=S6JpJOnUu4k4qZRm&t=357] speaking at Israel at a Crossroads Further Reading * Basic Law: Israel -- The Nation State of the Jewish People [https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/activity/Documents/BasicLawsPDF/BasicLawNationState.pdf] (Originally adopted in 2018)

Seth Farber

In Israel today, the question of “Who is a Jew?” is not only legal—it’s deeply personal. In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rabbi Seth Farber, founder and director of Itim, reflects on the intersection of religious authority, individual identity, and democratic values. Drawing from biblical narratives, courtroom battles, and grassroots activism, Rabbi Farber explores how Israel’s religious bureaucracy impacts the lives of citizens at every major life cycle moment—marriage, burial, conversion—and what it will take to create a Jewish state that welcomes all Jews.  https://www.rayahfund.org.il/rakefet-ginsberg/ Bio of Seth Farber [https://www.rayahfund.org.il/rakefet-ginsberg/] Discussion Questions 1. “Mi Eilah?” – Who Are These? Rabbi Farber frames his talk around Jacob’s biblical question, “Mi Eilah?” as a metaphor for how Israeli institutions question Jewish identity. How does this question resonate today, especially for converts, immigrants, and those outside the Orthodox mainstream? 2. Pluralism and State Power What are the implications of having state-controlled religious institutions in a democratic society? What models might reflect a pluralistic vision of Judaism in Israel? 3. Conversion and Inclusion What does the episode reveal about the experience of Jews by choice in Israel? What does it say about the boundaries of community and the authority to define Jewishness?? 4. Judaism and Zionism Farber argues that Judaism is not an afterthought in the Zionist story, but central to it. How do you interpret the relationship between Judaism and Zionism today? 5. Hope and Responsibility Despite the bureaucratic and legal challenges, Rabbi Farber speaks of being “blessed to live in this moment.” What gives you hope when thinking about Jewish identity and the future of the Jewish people? Video/Image * Seth Farber [https://youtu.be/rmer8-Mnsyo?si=S6JpJOnUu4k4qZRm&t=357] speaking at Israel at a Crossroads Further Reading * Itim: The Jewish Life Advocacy Center [https://www.masorti.org.il/] * Seth Farber "The Chief Rabbinate's blacklist isn't defending Judaism. It's undermining it. [https://www.jta.org/2017/07/10/united-states/the-chief-rabbinates-blacklist-isnt-defending-judaism-its-undermining-it]" JTA (July 10, 2017)--Farber referred to this article in his talk.

Rakefet Ginsberg

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 [https://www.rayahfund.org.il/rakefet-ginsberg/] Discussion Questions 1. Pluralism in Practice Rakefet 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? 2. Ownership of Judaism Ginsberg emphasizes the need for Israelis to "take ownership" of their Judaism. What might that look like in practice—for religious, secular, and traditional Jews? 3. Building Trust Across Difference How can trust be built between communities with vastly different religious worldviews? What lessons can we take from Ginsberg’s conversation with Rabbi Eliezer Melamed? 4. The Role of Institutions What role should state institutions like the Chief Rabbinate play in defining or regulating Jewish life in Israel? 5. Sources of Hope In 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   Video * Rakefet Ginsberg [https://youtu.be/rmer8-Mnsyo?si=S6JpJOnUu4k4qZRm&t=357] speaking at Israel at a Crossroads Further Reading * Masorti Movement [https://www.masorti.org.il/] * Rabbi Eliezer Melamed "The Reform Jews Prayer in ‘Ezrat Yisrael’ [https://en.yhb.org.il/revivim954/]" Weekly Article Revivim (July 24, 2021) * Rabbi Daniel Gordis "The one where Yom Kippur escaped from the synagogue... [https://danielgordis.substack.com/p/the-one-were-yom-kippur-escaped-from]" Israel from the Inside (October 9, 2022)

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

What does it mean to be both a witness and a bridge in a time of war? In this powerful episode, Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib—a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Palestinian American raised in Gaza—shares his story of survival, loss, and conviction. Speaking at the Israel at a Crossroads convening, Ahmed explores the personal and collective traumas that shape Palestinian life today, including the impact of the current war on his own family.Refusing the binaries that dominate public discourse, Ahmed pushes for a third space—one grounded in mutual empathy, moral courage, and an unflinching commitment to truth. His vision for Gaza’s future goes beyond reconstruction; it is a call to transformation rooted in justice, dignity, and pragmatic hope. Bio of Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib [https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/ahmed-alkhatib/]  Discussion Questions  1. Trauma and Politics Ahmed describes the impact of personal and collective trauma in Gaza and emphasizes the importance of healing. How can trauma—both individual and communal—shape political realities? What might it mean to include healing as part of a vision for peace? 2. Making Space for Complexity Throughout the episode, Ahmed resists aligning with rigid ideological positions and instead calls for a “third space” rooted in empathy and complexity. What makes it difficult to hold space for multiple truths in today’s discourse around Israel and Palestine? 3. Diaspora and Responsibility Ahmed speaks openly about his frustration with Palestinian and Arab diaspora communities who engage in rhetoric but avoid practical action. What role should diaspora communities play in shaping the future of Gaza and Israel? What does responsible engagement look like? 4. Barriers to Dialogue The episode concludes with a challenge to consider what barriers exist within the Jewish community that prevent meaningful dialogue. What assumptions or structures might limit these conversations—and how might we begin to dismantle them? 5. A Vision for Gaza Ahmed outlines a bold vision for Gaza’s future—one that prioritizes autonomy, dignity, and opportunity. Which aspects of his vision resonated most with you? What would it take to move from reconstruction to transformation? Show Notes Video * Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib [https://youtu.be/qnO1ZHlUF7Q?si=8N7G4M8afCnwUaYL&t=1757] speaking at Israel at a Crossroads Further Reading Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. "An Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Nearly Killed Me. But I Recognize Both Sides' Trauma [https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2017-04-30/ty-article/.premium/an-israeli-airstrike-on-gaza-nearly-killed-me-but-i-recognize-both-sides-trauma1-a5ff-fffa80520000?utm_source=chatgpt.com]." Haaretz (April 30, 2017) Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. "The Case for Pragmatism [https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/03/palestine-israel-pragmatism/682027/]" The Atlantic (March 15, 2025)  Dahlia Scheindlin. "Is Prominent Hamas Critic Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib a Palestinian Prophet or a Voice in the Wind? [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-05-05/ty-article-magazine/.premium/is-hamas-critic-ahmed-fouad-alkhatib-a-palestinian-prophet-or-a-voice-in-the-wind]" Haaretz (May 5, 2025)

Raquel Ukeles

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 [https://www.rayahfund.org.il/dr-raquel-ukeles/] Discussion Questions 1. The Role of Cultural Institutions Dr. 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? 2. Collecting in Times of Crisis How should institutions decide what to collect during moments of upheaval or war? What are the risks of documenting events too quickly—or too slowly? 3. Pluralism and the Public Good The 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? 4. Memory as Responsibility Dr. Ukeles suggests that memory is not only about preservation but about shaping the future. How can remembering—or forgetting—impact a society’s direction? 5. Libraries as Spaces for Dialogue Should libraries be places for civic repair or democratic renewal? What would that look like in practice? Video/Image * Raquel Ukeles [https://youtu.be/rmer8-Mnsyo?si=S6JpJOnUu4k4qZRm&t=357] speaking at Israel at a Crossroads Further Reading * "National Library of Israel launches ‘unprecedented’ effort to collect everything it can about Oct. 7 attacks [https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/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 Archive [https://www.nli.org.il/en/at-your-service/who-we-are/projects/october-7] * Explore the Collections [https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover] * October 7th Memorial Wall [https://www.nli.org.il/en/visit/exhibitions-and-displays/displays/7-october-victims#:~:text=Soon%20after%20October%207%2C%202023,within%20its%20newly-opened%20building.]