This is a hybrid class and will be taught both in-person and on Zoom. Registrants will receive a Zoom link before class.

The current war in Gaza in the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas terror attacks has provoked a great deal of anguish in our community – and Jewish communities around the world. The horrific images and reports of the brutal Hamas attack, the death and destruction in Gaza that has followed in its wake, the fate of the hostages and the campaign to rescue them while destroying the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza – resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands in Gaza has been a source of anguish on all sides. Jews around the world have found themselves facing a barrage of anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist attacks that are both alarming and unprecedented in recent history. The virulence of the hateful rhetoric that we have experienced over the past several months – much of it based on inaccurate and biased propaganda – has been amplified by a vocal minority within the Jewish community itself – that questions the underpinnings of the Zionism and the validity of the the State of Israel.  In addition, the geo-political ramifications of the conflict grow more alarming every day.

NOTE:  due to the enormity of the subject material, this will not be a comprehensive survey of all of our topics.  We have neither the time nor the resources to begin to cover them – we can only “scratch the surface” of these complicated topics. Our goal is to provide a forum to help unpack discuss the complexities and nuances of the history, theology, and politics of the current crisis – as well as exploring our relationship with Israel and Zionism.

Syllabus:

Session One:      A theological exploration of the relationship between the land and people of Israel

Session Two:      An overview of political Zionism from the 19th century to the present

Session Three:   A timeline of conflict in the modern State of Israel

Session Four:     What does the future hold?