Our Mission

BINA'S MISSION IS:

1) To create a new leadership in Israeli society comprised of pluralistic, secular scholars - young men and women versed in traditional Jewish learning from a humanist perspective.

2) To build communities throughout Israel, whose members speak a common language based on Jewish texts - including in lower socio-economic neighborhoods.

3) To teach and engage young adults to be committed to social justice and Jewish continuity in Israel and abroad.

HISTORY

The death of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 exposed the deep rifts in Israeli society, forcing many to reconsider their fundamental values and goals. Many secular Israelis felt there was no longer a common Jewish narrative and value system in Israel. Jewish continuity in Israel was at stake.

A diverse group of intellectuals and educators founded Bina as a forum for secular Israelis to explore their Jewish roots in a pluralistic, analytical, and creative way, with the ultimate goal of repairing the world. Our programs target on young adults: tomorrow’s leaders. In Israel, the mandatory draft forces young people to face questions of identity, patriotism, and ethics at an early age. Bina helps them learn about their Jewish heritage as they develop their personal identities and define their own roles as citizens of Israeli society. At the same time, Bina’s programs aim to inspire a lifelong appreciation of textual study and social justice. Bina sees these values as essential to a compassionate, Humanist national ethos, which is both Jewish and Israeli.