As we approach the Israeli elections, many are suggesting that this is an existential election the result of which will determine Israel’s future not just for the 4 years that follow, but indefinitely.
What are the key issues as Israel prepares to go to the polls? Will Bibi Netanyahu retain the Premiership? What are the experts predicting? Can anyone form a majority? How does the country divide into different tribes and parties?
An introduction to the Israeli electoral process and the parties competing in this year’s election.
In person and on Zoom
with Rabbi Danny
7:00 PM
What now and where are we heading after the elections – hear from Jewish educator Mike Hollander about possible scenarios for a government coalition after the election
Zoom Only
with Mike Hollander
12:00 PM
A view from the ground – hear from Jewish educator Uri Feinberg about what is happening in Israel as election season gets underway
Zoom Only
with Uri Feinberg
12:00 PM
An initial reflection on the Israeli election results – it’s too early to say what will come as a result of this election, but with the votes in we can have an initial sense of what might happen
In person and on Zoom
with Rabbi Danny
7:00 PM
Uri Feinberg has been a Jewish Educator for 30 years. Born in the US, Uri immigrated to Israel when he was ten, grew up in Jerusalem served in the IDF, and then traveled the world. Uri has a Masters Degree from the Hebrew University in Contemporary Jewish Studies, and was a Jewish history teacher for North American teens, in semester programs in Israel, for many years. Uri spent three years in the US with his wife and three daughters where he served as the Interim Director of Education of Temple Israel of Boston. A licensed tour guide since 1999, Uri has worked as a tour educator for a wide range of groups including synagogue, Federation, URJ and CCAR leadership, interfaith, multi-generational and more. He has guided Jewish heritage trips throughout Europe and has lectured on Israel and Jewish identity across North America. In the wake of the October Seventh war, with so many uncertainties and daughters currently serving in combat units in the military, Uri joined Israeli civil society helping where he can. He has also re-harnessed the tools of his trade to partner with and help the North American Jewish community (and himself) grapple with and strengthen their knowledge of what has happened, how this has affected Israel and why we feel the way we feel. This has been done through remote teaching and zoom, ongoing trips to Israel, and in-person visits to North America. Uri and his family live in the city of Modi’in, and are active members of their Reform congregation, YOZMA. Uri’s experience has been driven by a clear desire to share the power of the Land and State of Israel, to strengthen Jewish identity and a connection with the Jewish People. With his unique perspective, Uri recognizes that this process includes building bridges and having the ability to inspire and to be inspired.
Mike Hollander grew up in Canada, attended Jewish elementary school and from age 9 through 24, he was very involved in a Zionist Youth Movement, as a participant as well as leader. He completed a BA from York University (Toronto) in History, and enrolled in a Masters program for Middle Eastern Studies for overseas students Tel Aviv University. While in Israel, he helped form a group of people who made Aliyah together in 1988 to Kibbutz Ravid.
In 1990, he moved to Jerusalem, where he worked in fundraising. He qualified as a Licensed Tour Guide after completing the Ministry of Tourism Course in 1994. Since then, he has worked full time, lecturing, teaching courses to teenagers on long-term programs in Israel, as well as taking people of all ages around Israel.
In the summer of 2001, he was sent by the Jewish Agency for Israel to be an educational emissary (Shaliach) to the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY), the largest Zionist youth movement in Great Britain and the Israel Experience, UK (IE). Over 3 years, he worked as an educational consultant, helping plan the year’s activities for over 1,000 Jewish youth. These included weekly activities, seminars, residential summer camps, and Israel short- and long-term programs. He also initiated short-term educational and volunteering programs in Israel for university-aged members.
Mike was also a consultant to the IE, helping British youth movements and organizations construct their ‘educational storyline’ and their short-term summer Israel programs, as well as design new programs. He also helped design a training program for the youth leaders to take 1,100 16-year-olds to Israel in the summer.
Upon returning to Israel in 2004, Mike went back to work full-time as a tour educator, and in 2008, completed his Masters Degree in Jewish-Christian Relations from the Cambridge Centre for Jewish-Christian Relations. Mike has led dozens of groups on Jewish travel journeys throughout Eastern and Central Europe, and taught and lectured as a scholar in residence at many Jewish communities throughout North America.
Mike has over 30 years experience working with a wide range of ages, from individual family groups, through teenagers and university students, adult groups, political and business groups, as well as interfaith lay and clergy groups.
In the spring of 2020, when tourism stopped during the Covid-19 Crisis, Mike developed virtual on-line journeys to various Jewish destinations in Europe and tours to Israel, as well as historical, political and cultural presentations on Israel. He has delivered over 250 sessions to communities and synagogues overseas. After October 7, he has delivered dozens more online sessions.
Mike is married to Michele, and they have three children, Tal (33), Adi (31), and Matan (28). He recently became a grandfather with the birth of his first grandson, and more recently, his daughter gave birth to his first granddaughter.