Explore the ongoing tension between religious tradition and personal freedom in the State of Israel.
ONLINE
Thursdays, 2:00-3:30pm (ET), February 13 - 20, 2025
"The purpose of this Basic Law is to protect human dignity and liberty, in order to establish in a Basic Law the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State."
(Israeli Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, 1992)
Course Description :
This course explores contemporary issues in Israel that reflect the complex relationship between religion and secularism, tradition, and constitutional liberalism. Through an in-depth examination of pivotal cases, students will gain insights into the characteristics of Israeli society and the tensions between religious and secular worldviews. The course aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the State of Israel and its unique dynamic with Judaism, providing a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities in navigating this intricate relationship.
Lesson 1: Violence at the Pride Parade and the Murder of Shira Banki
Lesson 2: The “Pig Prohibition Law” and the “Chametz Law”
Thursdays, 2:00-3:30pm (ET)
Dates: Feb. 13, 20
Dr. Ofer Margalit recently relocated with his family from Jerusalem to Miami, where they have been living for the past few months. With 20 years of experience in education, Dr. Margalit has dedicated his career to teaching, curriculum development, and mentoring new and experienced teachers.
Holding a Ph.D. in Jewish philosophy, Dr. Margalit has taught Jewish and Israel Studies at universities and high-school in Israel. He is passionate about fostering personal responsibility, exploring Jewish ethics, and bridging philosophical insights with contemporary societal challenges. His work emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and fostering meaningful relationships with each other, including with the divine. He is the author of a book “Prayer and Anxiety”, and is currently working on a new book exploring the visions of leading intellectuals in Israel for the country’s future following the October 7th war.
