Fellowship Archive
NGF 23 - Ohalo Manor, Israel
June 12 - 19, 2011
Forty-two Fellows from 17 countries— including Russia, India, Mexico, Israel, South Africa, and Germany—gathered at Ohalo Manor in Israel for the 23rd International Nahum Goldmann Fellowship. This geographically and ideologically diverse cohort represented Orthodox, Conservative, Reform/Progressive and secular communities.
program
The theme for this NGF was Repair, Rejuvenation, and Redemption of the Global Jewish Community, with sessions focusing on:
Reconfiguring our covenantal community with contemporary Jewish society: The view from the Diaspora
The future profile of the Jewish people
Jewish peoplehood and the State of Israel
Redemption in Jewish thought: Past, present, and future
Rejuvenating the Zionist narrative in Israel and the Diaspora
Additional discussion groups explored such topics as:
Israel and Diaspora communities: What can we learn from each other?
Israel advocacy: The challenge for Diaspora communities
How effective has Jewish communal leadership been in building Jewish communities
Jewish peoplehood and the State of Israel: Parameters of congruence and/or incompatibility
faculty
Dr. Steven Bayme, National Director, Contemporary Jewish Life Department, American Jewish Committee, New York, NY, USA
Dr. Stephen Donshik, CEO, Stephen G. Donshik Consultants, Ltd., New York, NY, USA
Professor Ruth Gavison, Professor of Law, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Moshe Halbertal, Professor of Jewish Thought and Philosophy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Benjamin Ish-Shalom, Rector, Beit Morasha, Jerusalem, Israel
Dr. Rina Rosenberg, Private Psychologist, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Shalom Rosenberg, Professor of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency, Jerusalem, Israel
Professor Ismar Schorsch, Professor of Jewish History, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY, USA
Dr. Ethan Tucker, Co-Founder and Rosh Yeshiva, Mechon Hadar, New York, NY, USA
Professor Jack Wertheimer, Professor of Jewish History, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY, USA
MORE ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The 23rd NGF provided a robust program that exposed participants to a wide range of Jewish communal practices and perspectives. The religious and political diversity within the cohort encouraged lively debates, enriching the learning experience for both Fellows and faculty. Informal opportunities to discuss session topics further enhanced the impact of the program, enabling participants to gain valuable insights to bring back to their home communities.
Alex Bodin Saphir, a Fellow from the United Kingdom, described the profound influence of the NGF on his community involvement: ”I am convinced that without my experiences with NGF, I would have not have had the tools, the confidence, or the gumption to get involved with the community in the capacity that I have.”
The 23rd NGF reinforced its mission of fostering communal responsibility, personal development, and collective action. The connections formed among Fellows created a strong NGF community committed to global cooperation, local community support, and strengthening Jewish peoplehood worldwide.
In his closing words to the Fellows, Dr. Jerry Hochbaum, Executive Vice President of the MFJC, praised the Fellows: “Thank you for the glorious spirit you have generated here that has animated our enterprise. As we leave, we pray together for our future fulfillment, individually and collectively.”
If you would like to submit any photos or testimonials please contact us at ngf@mfjc.org
