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Israel — A Crisis of Democracy

Sunday, June 11, 2023 22 Sivan 5783

10:15 AM - 11:30 AMBeit Am

Israel: A Crisis of Democracy
What Issues Arise for the American Jewish Community?
A Talk by Professor Spinner-Halev

The upsurge in protests seen in the past few months has no parallel in the history of the state of Israel. The reverberations are being felt, not just in Israel, but among Jewish communities in the diaspora and none more so than in the United States where the meaning of our commitments towards the Jewish state are being tested in ways entirely new. We are being forced to question the meaning of Zionism and what are our moral and political obligations to the State of Israel in this time of change.

In his talk, Professor Jeff Spinner-Halev will explore the crisis of democracy that has rocked Israeli society during the past few months. He will discuss the upheaval concerning the role of the Israeli supreme court, and its relation to the Knesset and political decision making. He will also consider some of the conflicts in contemporary Israeli society with regard to the role of religion in the state, the rights and role of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians in Israel’s democracy, and other issues such as around gender and sexual identities. Following Professor Spinner-Halev’s talk there will be an opportunity for questions from the audience. 

Join us for a light nosh prior to the talk at Kibbitz & Koffee beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the courtyard.

Sponsored by Progressive Kehillah at Beth Meyer Synagogue.

About our speaker:
Jeff Spinner-Halev is Kenan Eminent Professor of Political Ethics at UNC Chapel Hill. Among other honors Professor Spinner-Halev was a Lady Davis Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His published research includes 5 books as well as numerous publications. His focus is on the tensions that arise within contemporary liberal and democratic theory and practice.

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