This six-week learning cohort is about Jewish identity, ethnicity, independence, and pluralism in Israel as a Jewish and democratic state as well as in our Jewish spaces on campus. This series will explore such questions as: How do Jews navigate and share space? How do we build a community based on Jewish values? Should we include others that are different from us politically, ethnically, and religiously? If so, how? In a group setting, we will learn to implement these ideas for our growth, both as individuals and as communities, and in relation to the rest of the world.

Syllabus and dates:
Session 1 - 02/22: Upon which values do we build Jewish space?
Session 2- 03/01: How do we agree on a set of standards for these spaces?
Session 3- 03/08: Religious Pluralism and Progressive Values: How do we share space respectfully?
Session 4- 03/29: Are we designing our spaces to welcome all ethnic minorities?
Session 5- 04/19: What are the limits of Pluralism?
Session 6- 05/03: Workshop: How do we implement pluralistic values in our own spaces?

Sessions will be held at the Hillel house between 6-7:30 pm on Wednesdays beginning 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/29, 4/19, 5/3, If necessary (due to weather cancellations): 5/10, 5/17.
Each session includes dinner. 
Every student who participates in all six sessions will receive a $200 stipend.
Applications are due by February 17.

Email Sapir at Israelfellow@umass.edu with any questions!

Click here for the application!