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BYACHAD - Judaism, Society and Democracy
Vision and Mission
Israeli society is comprised of a veritable human mosaic of varied colors and hues- arguably unparalleled on our globe. While many pay lip service to the ideals of Jewish unity, and to the building of a common identity through brotherhood, mutual understanding and respect, few actually act to further these values.
Byachad - established in 1999 by Rabbi Michael Melchior (former Minister and MK) has dedicated its activities to the advancement of these ideals and values. Byachad initiates and promotes a wide variety of projects aimed at neutralizing obstacles, real and imagined, between religious and non-religious groups, veterans and new immigrants, city dwellers and villagers, the mainstream and the periphery – with special emphasis on the religious-secular divide.
The organization’s policymakers, striving to fulfill their mission and vision, believe that every Jew has the right to feel a sense of belonging to and ownership of Jewish tradition and is entitled to a powerful sense of full membership in Israeli society.
One of the unique aspects of Byachad is its ability to creatively adapt materials, texts and cultural events to meet the needs and expectations of different sectors of society. Thus, for example, a community that invites Byachad to conduct Yom Kippur programming may choose between various options of prayer, study, workshops, etc., that reflect modern Israeli or historical texts that discuss the holiday, music and/or prayers from Sephardic or Ashkenazi tradition all geared to preserving the unique nature of each group while exposing them and linking them to their other brothers and sisters elsewhere in Israel and in the Diaspora. A rare blend of modern Israeli culture -including music, theater and dance - together with texts and poetry from our medieval and ancient sources, characterize the broad approach of Byachad.
The educational leadership of Byachad and their various steering committees are comprised of equal numbers of representatives from the religious and non-religious public. Thanks to the human diversity and academic background of the committees, the projects succeed in providing the necessary balance and rich content that have become the hallmark of Byachad.
The various projects include "Judaism for All" that fosters community study and celebration of the Jewish calendar’s holidays – particularly marketed to those for whom no denomination or affiliation currently provides this experiential communal attachment to their Jewishness. This project is the flagship of Byachad; it serves approximately 130,000 Israelis each year and is the foundation for other important follow-up projects. In these projects, community Rabbis are trained to be more sensitive to the broad needs of their extended public, Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys and girls take a journey with their parents to better understand the significance of this milestone, young religious children are exposed to the best of secular Israeli culture through the study of theater, and our pre-army non-denominational Yeshiva joins young men and women of different backgrounds and beliefs to study our Jewish treasures together.
Project "Judaism for All" – Community Holidays
Project Description
Background
Project "Judaism for All" was born as a response to a grass-roots need to make a meaningful Jewish calendar - arguably the focus of Israel’s Jewish identity - accessible to all segments of Israeli society.
The project is designed to meet the needs of all sectors of Israel's Jewish population – religious and non-religious, veterans and newcomers, young and old, city-dwellers and the populace of the periphery.
Before the introduction of B’yachad’s “Judaism for All” programs, it is fair to say that the majority of Israelis did not celebrate holidays in synagogues, nor did they, for the most part, see the nationwide system of community centers as the address for their needs and interest in Jewish tradition. Thanks to Byachad’s holiday services and programming in the community centers these past _ years, tens of thousands of Israelis have meaningful access to their own traditions and to the experiential richness of the holiday cycle.
Participants are introduced to a pluralistic experience in an inviting, cooperative framework, without the patronizing overtones that often attend Jewish cultural outreach in Israel. Each participant is respected as an individual with her own point of view. As the Jewish heritage and Jewish holidays belong equally to each Jew, this program offers a broad, common cultural approach, respectful of the individual as part of the whole.
Partners
Project "Judaism for All" was launched in 2004 by a conglomerate of partners led by "Byachad." These include Israel's Community Center Organization, the Ministry for Social and Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the New York Jewish Federation, Amiel, Tzohar and several other organizations.
Scope
This past year, over 130,000 individuals participated in the project's various activities. The consistent increase in the number of participants clearly testifies to the real needs the project fills, and demonstrates the necessity to broaden and deepen its scope. "Byachad" considers these holiday activities the basis for building local communities that rally around their Jewish identity in a cooperative and open spirit.
We seek to expand our activities through additional partnerships, while remaining faithful to our central principles. At the same time, we strive to increase the number of the non-religious and new immigrants among our policy-makers and instructors.
Program Content
Project "Judaism for All" includes the major holidays of the Jewish calendar cycle, with each holiday and its specific character determining the nature and scope of its activities. Thus, Yom Kippur will mean various models of prayer and study sessions for the community to choose from, Tu Bishvat will mean a community seder and evening of song, and Purim will offer Megilla readings and a party. The primary tools employed include the production of attractive and user-friendly literature prepared and published for each holiday, as well as specialized training sessions for the project facilitators in the various Community Centers hosting the events.
Channuka
In addition to the literature and courses, a campaign called "Families Hosting Families" is conducted for the nightly candle-lighting ceremonies during Channuka. The project is run by 30 Community Centers for over 1,500 families! They each receive "host kits" that include games, booklets and creative activities. The culmination of the project takes place at a gathering of all the families at an exciting Channuka event.
Purim
Family and community readings of the Megilla are held at many centers, together with a variety of holiday-oriented activities.
Pesach
We train leaders for the Pesach Seder evening and provide the tools to make the event fully traditional, yet geared to be a truly moving family and cultural experience. Model Seders are also held, in addition to the actual holiday ceremony, using special Haggadot published by "Byachad."
Independence Day: Yom Ha'Atzmaut
Activities are geared to renew the holiday's authentic character, beyond the national "sport" of barbecues and picnics in nature reserves. The goal is to encourage study and activities worthy of Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers and Israel's Independence Day, and to create a community and national flavor through special literature, poetry, essays and the like concerning the essence of our national existence.
Shavuot
Specialized literature and courses are prepared for the holiday. Traditional Tikkun events are held on the night of Shavuot. Study and dialogue are held at many locations to discuss the social values in the Megilla of Ruth and the spirit of the holiday. These may include attitudes toward converts, the inclusion of outsiders in society, and the significance of large and small acts of kindness.
Ninth of Av
Meetings and gatherings are held throughout the Fast Day to stimulate public discussion of the values and the contemporary societal implications of this historic day of mourning.
Selichot Excursions
Leading up to the High Holy Days, Jews traditionally recite the "Selichot" prayers, asking for forgiveness for past transgressions. "Byachad" operates excursions to different sites in Jerusalem, Safed and Tel-Aviv providing special "Selichot" experiences. Personal and communal messages of introspection and spirituality echo through these excursions that include meetings with classical Jewish "klezmer" musicians, actors, story-tellers and other colorful figures in the various locations. In addition to the excursions, there are workshops, "Selichot" recitals, and poetry readings.
Yom Kippur
Staff and volunteers spread throughout the country to some 250 locations for prayers, gatherings and discussions, from north to south, cities and kibbutzim, community centers and moshavim. Quorums (minimal group of 10) and/or teachers and leaders are sent to all the sites. Specialized "Machzorim" (High Holy Days prayer books) are published and instructional booklets are prepared. Even transportation and food (for pre-fast and post-fast of the volunteers) are organized. Some communities may request discussions led by instructors instead of a quorum for prayer. Some ask for both. In either case, their wishes are respected and religious and non-religious leaders are sent to create a meaningful experience for the community.
Before Yom Kippur, the leaders are trained and taught to create a non-threatening, user-friendly environment so each individual will feel comfortable and connected.
Holiday Literature
"Byachad" publishes a series of booklets and literature to accompany the holiday programs and elucidate the contents of each one. Each booklet includes:
1. Ancient Jewish sources.
2. Attention to the social character of each holiday.
3. Focus on historic events from the perspective of a modern State.
4. Commentary and Midrashim of holiday symbols and icons.
5. Hebrew prose and poetry relevant to each holiday and to contemporary Israeli culture.
The booklets are basically divided in the following structure:
1. Core Concept – basic information about the holiday and its sources.
2. Bible – quotes from the Bible as a source of holiday customs.
3. Traditional Commentators and Modern Thinkers – linking ancient sources with current philosophers and intellectuals.
4. The Four Questions – a chapter raising questions about the holiday and exercising a critical approach with current social values.
5. Midrash Aggadah – the sages thoughts on the various subjects, sometimes complementing the Biblical sources and opening new directions for discussion.
Target Population
The following is a listing of cities and towns throughout the country where activities are held:
South
Ofakim, Eilat, Beer Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Dimona, Yerucham, Lehavim, Mitzpe Ramon, Merchavim, Netivot, Arad, Kiryat Gat, Sderot and Shaar Hanegev.
Central Region and the Sharon Or Yehuda
Beit Shemesh, Gan Yavne, Yavne, Holon, Lod, Ramat Gan, Modiin, Petach Tikva, Rehovot, Ramle, Kiryat Ono, Mazkeret Batya, Or Akiva, Binyamina, Herzliya, Hadera, Netanya, Ramat Hasharon.
Jerusalem Region Baka
Ginot Ha'ir, Neve Yaakov, Pisgat Zev, Beit Hakerem, Gilo, Morasha, Kiryat Yovel, Katamonim, Kiryat Menachem, Ramot, Talpiot Mizrach, Lev Ha'ir, Gush Etzion, Maale Adumim.
Haifa and the North
Haifa, Moshavot, Yokneam, Kfar Tavor, Migdal Ha'emek, Nesher, Acco, Afula, Tiveria, Marom Hagalil, Misgav, Nahariya, Rosh Pina, Ramat Hagolan, Nazareth Illit.
The activities take place in Community Centers as well as other locations, such as schools and other centers in the various villages, towns and cities.
Summary of Goals and Objectives
1. Strengthening and shaping Jewish-Israeli identity.
2. Making the Jewish holidays accessible and meaningful to the wider public.
3. Facilitating broad and deep dialogue regarding the social aspects of each holiday, based on ancient sources as well as current Israeli literature.
4. Breaking down barriers between different segments of society by finding common ground in celebrating the Jewish holidays.
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בניית אתרים אתרי מסחר אלקטרוני קידום אתרים מבית 011 לעסקים
קידום אתר: קידום.נט
