Israel as a Jewish State – March 7-8, 2010
Conference Agenda
Session 1: Is Israel a Jewish State?
How the avowed Jewish character of Israel influences – or should influence – the politics and government of the State
Professor Shlomo Fischer
Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem
Video | Slides
Professor Shlomo Hasson
The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Video | Slides
Dr. Bernard Avishai
The Hebrew University, Author, Jerusalem
Video
Profesor Amiel Ungar
Journalist, Tekoa, West Bank
Video
Question & Answer Session
Video
Keynote Address
Professor Yuli Tamir
Member of Knesset and former Minister of Education, Tel Aviv
Video
Session 2: Do Jews in Israel Have Religious Freedom? The Issue of Pluralism
The competing goals and values of semi-official religious Orthodoxy and those of secular and non-orthodox religious groups and interests
Rabbi Tamar Elad-Appelbaum
Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, Jerusalem
Video
Rabbi Avi Shafran
Agudath Israel, New York
Video
Ilan Peleg
Lafayette College
Video
Professor Bernard Cooperman
University of Maryland
Video
Question & Answer Session
Chair: Professor Eric Zakim
University of Maryland
Session 3: Religion and Democracy in Israel:
Are Judaism and Democratic Values Compatible?
Are citizens’ rights unacceptably diminished by Israel’s Jewish character?
Dr. Aviad Hacohen
Van Leer Institute and The Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Professor Yoram Peri
Gildenhorn Institute, University of Maryland
Slides
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
Israel Advocacy Office of the Rabbinical Assembly, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Phyllis Chesler
Psychologist and Author. New York