Teaching American Zionism Through Civics Education
This edition of INSIDE THE CONVERSATION focuses on American Zionism and Israel education. It features an important essay by Rabbi Tully Harcsztark articulating an alternative approach to teaching American Zionist students the complexities of democratic governance in Israel through a comparison with American democracy and citizenship. The paper was written as part of a research group formed by Rabbi Harcsztark after an Encounter trip he took with other educators, academics, and rabbis. Professor Avi Helfand was part of that research group and he joined Rabbi Harcsztark for the podcast, guest hosted by Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz.
Rabbi Tully Harcsztark
Rabbi Harcsztark is the Founding Principal of SAR High School and Dean of Machon Siach. He is the recipient of the 2017 Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
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Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz
Dr. Schwartz serves as Associate Principal, General Studies at SAR High School, and as a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. She earned her Ph.D. in the history of science from Princeton University.
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Professor Avi Helfand
Dr. Michael (Avi) Helfand is an associate professor at Pepperdine University School of Law and co-director of Pepperdine University’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish Studies. He received his J.D. from Yale Law School and his Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University. Professor Helfand is an executive board member of the Beth Din of America, where he also serves as a consultant on the enforceability of rabbinical arbitration agreements and awards in U.S. courts.
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