Zehut Jewish Identity Fellowship

Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., monthly, and one trip: $495.  Full Calendar

The Zehut* Jewish Identity Fellowship is a year-long exploration of fundamental questions of Jewish identity, Israel, Antisemitism, our obligations to the Jewish people, the stranger, and to humanity open to Bet Torah teens in 10th grade*. 
 

*Only 2024-2025: 11th graders who were unable to participate in the 2023-2024 year. 

Issues we may explore together include the idea of peoplehood, the history of Israel, the right of Jewish self-determination, the relationship between Judaism and democracy, the Israel/Palestine conflict, what it means to go from a powerless people to having power, the relationship between Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism and the Jewish mandate to welcome the stranger and not oppress strangers because of our own story of having been strangers. The curriculum will be developed using materials published by the Shalom Hartman Institute. 

We will meet monthly for discussions and guest speakers on Sunday, 11:00-12:30 in-person at Bet Torah. The fellowship will include a trip experience. We will spend a Sunday in New York City exploring the Jewish immigrant experience and what it means to live at a time when we have two homes: North America and Israel. 

The Zehut Jewish identity fellowship will provide thinking, framing, and first-hand experiences with the goal of equipping young adults to become thoughtful, caring, and engaged future Jewish community members and leaders. There will be opportunities for follow-up in 11th and 12th grade and beyond. 

The fellowship will primarily be taught by Rabbi Brusso with guest speakers. There may be required reading between sessions. 

The fellowship will require a brief essay application for participation. 

Cost should not be a barrier to participation. Financial aid is available. 

*Zehut means identity