Holy Land Connect

“Television has the ability to not only to entertain but to educate and helps raise the curiosity of those viewing about different cultures, religions, rituals, and history. And nothing is better than knowledge—it brings people together and helps dispel misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudice.” —Danna Stern There’s much to celebrate at yes Studios—not only because production has resumed in Israel following the ...

The Masorti Movement in Israel—a Judaism that preserves observance and tradition while recognizing how modern life in Israel is lived—is blessed with women rabbis of intellect, energy, and spiritual commitment to Torah, egalitarianism, inclusion, and community. Their varied backgrounds and experiences enrich their kehillot and communities. From Israel to France and the former Soviet Union and beyond, these women blaze a ...

For parents of Jewish teens, instilling in their children a passion for Judaism, an expansive worldview, and the importance of Jewish friendships is often of the utmost importance. However, parents are often conflicted about the best methods -- the “how and when” of talking about or suggesting experiences that will resonate most with their teens can feel daunting.  Of course there are the consistent activitie...

For wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” —Ruth 1:16 Conversion to Judaism in Israel is not simple. Nevertheless, some remarkable people have chosen Judaism—chosen to link their lives with the Jewish people through the Israeli Masorti Movement’s welcoming, egalitarian, warm tradition. While the State of Israel recognizes Masorti conversio...

Kabbalat Shabbat Circle For the first time in Jewish history, a unique, meaningful, egalitarian Kabbalat Shabbat service was held on a Friday night at Israel’s Kotel, or Western Wall, to welcome the Sabbath Queen. Jewish women and men, boys and girls, young and old, prayed together and celebrated the arrival of Shabbat without a mechitza on May 10th, in what was the first of a new Masorti tradition. Rabbi Yerach...

Three generations of the Daitz family attend Israel. With her husband, Ronald, on one side and her two sons, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren—ages 9, 14 and 17—on the other, Linda Daitz couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude as three generations of her family experienced the power of Israel together as part of Park Avenue Synagogue’s historic trip. Ranging from infants to seniors, congregants ...

Ask any travel guide the must-see places to visit during a spring break trip to Israel and you might hear suggestions like the Western Wall, Tower of David, Yad Vashem, Masada or Independence Hall. While there’s good reason these rank among Israel’s top attractions, there’s more to the Holy Land than meets the average tourist eye. Siblings Brandon and Lily have both experienced Israel through USCJ’s Nativ college leade...