fellowship archive
NGF 25 - Ohalo Manor, Israel
June 11 - 17, 2013
The 25th International Nahum Goldmann Fellowship returned to Israel, along the shores of the Kinneret, bringing together 40 participants from 13 countries, including Cuba, the Czech Republic, South Africa, the United States, Israel and India. The Fellows represented the rich diversity of global Jewish leadership, reflecting the unique and multifaceted nature of the Jewish community worldwide.
program
The theme of NGF 25, Towards a Global Jewish Society, explored the evolving dynamics of Jewish identity, community, and leadership.
Sessions included:
Jewish identity and peoplehood: Then and now – A Diaspora perspective, an Israeli perspective
Community and state: Convergences and incompatibilities
Towards a global Jewish society
The lessons of Jewish history: The role of leadership
Additional discussion groups addressed our roles and mutual responsibilities as leaders in the Diaspora and Israel.
faculty
Dr. Steven Bayme, National Director, Contemporary Jewish Life Department, American Jewish Committee, New York, NY, USA
Professor Saul Berman, Associate Professor of Jewish Studies, Stern College, New York, NY, USA
Dr. Ruth Calderon, Member of the Knesset for the Yesh Atid Party, Jerusalem, Israel
Dr. Stephen Donshik, CEO, Stephen G. Donshik Consultants, Ltd., New York, NY, USA
Rabbi Micah Goodman, Director, Ein Prat Academy for Leadership, Kfar Adumim, Israel
Professor Ismar Schorsch, Professor of Jewish History, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, NY, USA
Professor Ilan Troen, Professor of Israel Studies and Director of the Schusterman Center of Israel Studies, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
more about the fellowship
NGF 25 emphasized the complex and evolving relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, a critical factor in fostering Jewish community growth. The distinguished faculty offered insightful perspectives on Jewish identity and peoplehood, with particular attention to the role of synagogues in addressing the communal needs of the 21st century.
One highlight was the presentation by Dr. Bayme and Professor Troen, which explored the disparities and convergences between the Diaspora’s concept of community and Israel’s ideological framework. These discussions, along with the program’s academic sessions and informal gatherings, sparked lively debates and fostered deep connections among Fellows and faculty alike.
Continuing its commitment to building Jewish communities in the spirit of Klal Yisrael, NGF 25 provided an opportunity for Fellows to learn from past participants. Alumni from South Africa shared experiences from their regional gathering, sparking discussions on how the skills and knowledge gained through NGF can be applied to strengthen other communities. Inspired by these discussions, plans were made for regional gatherings in Iran and Brazil.
The Fellowship’s success was driven by the Fellows’ productive dialogue and shared dedication to strengthening Jewish communities globally. Laruen Kessler from South Africa reflected on the program’s impact:
“I found the NGF a soul-searching experience that exposed the complexities and hidden dualities of what it means to be a Jew today, devoid of labels, boxes and divisions. NGF has the rare ability to sit diversity around the same table and get them all to eat the same meal.”
