Thirteen Years of Promoting Pluralism in Israel
Earlier this month, a group of Federation staff and lay leaders traveled to Israel to attend the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in Jerusalem. On the tail end of their visit, they had the opportunity to celebrate the success of one of the Federation's programs in Israel – Gvanim. Founded by the Federation in 2000 in response to deep divisions in Israel epitomized by the assassination of Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin by a Jewish religious extremist, Gvanim's purpose is to promote Jewish pluralism in Israel.
Thirteen years later, Federation leaders were honored to commemorate the program's bar mitzvah year with nearly 150 Gvanim alumni from all 10 cohorts. At the event, music and spiritual ambiance were provided by Beit Tfila Israeli, another Federation grantee that was borne of the Gvanim program. After hearing greetings from Gvanim director Tamar Alperovitch, Federation CEO Jennifer Gorovitz, and director of the Federation's Israel office, Barak Loozon, guests were treated to three Ted-style talks from inspiring Gvanim alumni on some of the issues they are tackling.
An attendee examining Gvanim's alumni wall
The San Francisco delegation enjoying the program from their table.
Director of the Federation's Israel office, Barak Loozon, addressing the audience.
Jennifer Gorovitz, center, stands beneath the chuppah with Gvanim alumni.
Rabbi Eisner with a current Gvanim fellow.
The San Francisco delegation.
