In person at the Magnes Museum in Berkeley.

In partnership with the Jewish Studies Program and the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, the Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies at UC Berkeley, the Jewish Film Institute, and the Consulate General of Israel, San Francisco.

It's never too EARLY to think about going to Israel!

Join Rachel Biale for the launch of her historical novel, Lost and Found, based on the true story of a Viennese Jewish family on the refugee boat with Rachel’s parents, all fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. Apprehended at sea by the British Navy, the family, with other refugees, boards the Patria, a large ship in the Haifa harbor, to be deported to the island of Mauritius. Moments after their arrival on the Patria deck there is an explosion; the ship sinks and their four-year-old boy disappears. The novel weaves a fictional narrative from that point forward, anchored in the family’s true story and built on historically authentic portrayals of WWII Haifa, a city shared (as it is today) by Moslems, Jews and Christians. Each community plays a key role as the drama unfolds.

In partnership with The New Israel Fund

The series will feature several projects that create bridges of collaboration and peace-building between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as neighboring Jordan.

Explore why Israeli voters turned towards Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners at the November election, leading to his becoming the longest-serving prime minister of Israel and parliamentary losses for left-wing and Arab parties. Rosenbaum will delve into the major demographic changes that have taken place in Israel over the past decades as well as the judicial reform legislation that has led to protests throughout the country.

Our experts explain the Judicial Reform crisis.

Prof. Fania Oz-Salzberger (Haifa University Emerita, History & Law)

The Judicial Reform proposed by Netanyhu’s government encompasses a complex web of proposed legislation with the hallmark one, revoking of the "unreasonableness clause" under review by Israel's Supreme Court (September 12). One of Israel's leading civil rights attorneys will provide a deep dive into the legal issues in the context of a fuller understanding of Israel's judicial system.

Partnership program with Contra Costa JCC's Under One Tent

Kenneth Bob, President of Ameinu—who has been in Israel since before October 7th—will provide a "report from the ground" covering the war, the hostage situation, the state of affairs in Gaza, and life on the home front. Following that, Rabbi Judy Shanks (New Lehrhaus Board Co-President) will facilitate sharing your thoughts and feelings with fellow participants.