Our Vision

The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 exposed deep rifts in Israeli society, forcing many to reconsider their fundamental values and goals. Many secular Israelis felt there was no longer a common Jewish narrative and value system in Israel. Jewish continuity in Israel was at stake.
 
In response to this crisis, a diverse group of intellectuals and educators founded BINA as a forum for secular Israelis to explore their Jewish roots in a pluralistic and creative way; as a means to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). BINA's study-service programs focus on young adults: today’s agents of change...tomorrow’s leaders. BINA helps them learn about their Jewish heritage as they develop their personal identities and define their own roles as citizens and leaders of Israeli society and the Jewish people. BINA’s programs aim to inspire a lifelong appreciation of textual study and a heightened sense of social justice. BINA sees these values as essential to a compassionate, humanist national ethos, which is both Jewish and Israeli.
 
“To me, BINA represents the future of Israel. The combination of strong Jewish values and community service is exactly what we need to instill in future generations to survive as a Jewish and democratic state.”
- Prof. Yuli Tamir, Israel’s former Education Minister