In the aftermath of the devastation that befell the State of Israel and the Jewish People, which began on Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023, many may find themselves on very shaky ground.

How did this happen?
Why did this happen?
What actually happened, and how can I explain how I feel and why?

While no one can promise answers to all of these questions, we believe that a deep dive into the history of the State of Israel will offer a first step towards creating a broader, stronger foundation of knowledge on which to stand.

The State of Israel is a vibrant, pulsating, historic, energetic, challenging, and challenged heart of the Jewish People. Did we mention layered, complex, and beautiful? Join us for a journey through the history of the young state. While we recognize that starting at THE beginning may necessitate a few extra sessions, we will begin our journey with the early days of Zionism. By creating a foundation of knowledge that will take us through the turn of the century and the British mandate period, we will be better equipped to experience the state’s founding together. As we traverse that Mt. Sinai-esque moment in 1948, we will continue through the earlier and more recent decades of the State of Israel, engaging with the momentous occasions, the prideful peaks, and precarious pitfalls. These moments, of course, all accompany living and breathing entities, such as the Jewish State itself. As we conclude and look to the future, we will have had an opportunity to strengthen what we already know about Israel, add information that wasn’t previously there, and, regardless of our opinions about Israel, be able to ask ourselves (and maybe even answer), how does all this relate to us and why do we care?

This program will take place on Zoom

Mondays & Wednesdays
11:30 am – 12:45 pm

November 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29, and December 6 (no class on December 4)

Costs:

• WHC Members – $36
• Non-Members – $54
• WHC Sustaining Members – FREE

  We are also offering this course FREE to college students. If you are a college student and would like to participate, please contact Ira Miller to complete your registration.

REGISTER HERE