Online Programs

Building community through text study and personal reflection

At our core, we humans are tribal. We like to belong to groups of individuals with similar views, thoughts, and interests. There is comfort being among others who are like-minded.

We want to feel a sense of belonging.

As Jews whose ethical heritage does not permit us to be silent in the face of Israel's continuing genocide against the Palestinian people, we are often turned off by the tacit acceptance—and often explicit support—of this genocide granted by the Jewish establishment. 

Our politics come from a deeply spiritual place. But it is our politics, inextricably linked to our deepest values, that exclude us from Jewish institutions, often forcing us to choose between integrity and Jewish community.

This leaves us feeling frustrated and disappointed. We yearn for a sense of belonging, a community we can call home. We long to be able to just talk with like-minded people. We feel isolated. We ask ourselves: How can we find a Jewish community without checking our politics and our values at the door? 

You are not alone. There are many people who feel the same way as you do. Moreover, technology is now able to bring us together. Technology has made it possible to connect with people who "get it" when it feels like no one in our immediate life has a clue.

This is why we are continuing our online reading groups to connect people who identify as Jewish and who feel isolated because of their views about Palestine.

We are super excited to continue to build a community that is welcoming of who we are, where we all feel a sense of belonging, a community we can call home, without checking our politics and our values at the door.

Please join me and others who struggle with the same issues at JeLiThIn's next round of reading groups:

Find out more about JeLiThIn's Parashat HaShavua Group.