Testimonials Summer 2010

Talmud with Ari Elon - One of the best Talmud experiences I have ever had.

I really loved the program and am so grateful I did it. 

Class with Muki Tzur - Really the highlight of my summer … he is really a gem. I was incredibly inspired by Muki’s vision of Zionism, as a balance of homeland for Jews/Judaism and also pursuit of humanistic values, that separated the vision/poetry of Zionism from the real politik of the state of Israel. I have written a bunch about it, and I am happy to share it with you.

Class with Tova Birnbaum - I loved the theater-midrash, and wish we would have done it more! I hope to incorporate that kind of thing into my rabbinate.

I really loved working at Amcha and am very grateful for that experience. 

I went from becoming a non-zionist to a renewed Zionist, with a sense that Zionism is about helping this place and these people fulfill the vision of Zionism that Muki (and others) articulated, however that plays out politically. Meaning that working for social and economic equality and religious pluralism and peace can and should be a powerful Zionist act. 

I would love to find a way to create a partnership between my community and BINA, possibly through Moishe House. And I would love it if people from BINA who are in the states could speak to my community and help complicate the Israel issue, and expose people to progressive Israelis. 

Meaningful experiences for me were the discussion we had at Amcha after watching Ashkenaz; also many of my hevruta discussions and participation in Ari’s Talmud class.

One thing I learned is that being “hiloni” is a choice, and not just the lack of being dati. Hiloni as a conscious “religious”/cultural choice, and there is a vibrant appreciation for Israeli culture, and desire to reclaim traditional Jewish texts for the hiloni world.

I’m happy to share about my experiences in NY if needed, to recruit future participants. I would also like to come back and visit BINA, and Amcha, when I’m back in Israel. When I one day lead groups to Israel/have a congregation, I would be happy to build communal partnerships with BINA.

The most surprising aspect of the program was the time we spent with Muki Tzur. I was expecting the Talmud study and the social justice/service component, but having the opportunity to hear Muki speak about Israeli history, and his relationship to it, was amazing. I was worried at first that having multiple sessions with him would be redundant or not useful, but in fact it felt like a real gift to have that kind of expansive time with him.

A few things initially attracted me to the BINA program: the timing of a summer program, the opportunity to study with Ari Elon, the combination of study and service, the opportunity to study in this setting with other rabbis, and the fact that housing was part of the program.  With the exception of the lack of other ordained rabbis, my expectations for these things were more than fulfilled.

Classes with Muki Tzur – the best!

The apartments are spacious and the Yaffo location really kept me engaged in the purpose of being at BINA.

I think the BINA staff did a great job of welcoming our cohort and integrating us into the life of the Yeshiva. I always felt welcome when I was there, never like an outsider or a burden by the year-round staff or students. I felt that everyone I came into contact with really cared about the success of our program. Kol hakavod on a great month.

I've been reflecting on my BINA experience and can't stop thinking about how positive it was. My experience at BINA really runs deeply through all of those things - it's obvious in the way I feel more confident about talking about Israel and pluralism, how creating justice has become a focus of mine at school, and of course, the chevre that I made while there.

Talmud with Ari Elon was so inspiring! I hope to bring as much as I can back to my home institution.

Listening to Muki is always a pleasure and I was glad to glimpse into old kibbutz life.

The BINA staff was very flexible… overall I really appreciated the enthusiasm of the staff and felt that they tried hard to meet our needs.

Synthesizing issues, I had heard about, with our volunteer work, and with issues that are common to the US as well was very powerful.

I feel that I have been inspired so I can better articulate my thoughts on important issues to diaspora Jews.

…all the learning was great. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to do this.

I absolutely loved the apartments. The location was fantastic, the space was beautiful, and I enjoyed the communal living.

I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to work with these organizations. I deeply appreciate BINA's approach to service placements. I did not feel that the experience was primarily about me at the expense of the client. I am so glad to have had these opportunities. Every interaction with the children was deeply meaningful.

…my perspective was broadened. I gained a deeper understanding of how non-profits function in Israel as well as a better understanding of social issues. Thank you for a fantastic experience!

BINA program staff were great during the course of the program.

Meaningful experiences for me were talking to survivors about their vision of Israeli society, Talmud with Ari and hearing about Israel/Zionism from Muki. To me these experiences convinced me how much the vision of an ideal, ethical Jewish society is alive and well in the hearts and minds of dedicated Zionists and Jews, despite all the problems.

I thought the whole program was great. …I am grateful for all of my experiences. I really felt I got to be part of the vision/mission of Zionism, studying Judaism, the Gemara, and learning about all different segments of Israeli society while putting into practice our Jewish values by actively working to help Israeli society's marginalized or needy and make the country a better place.