BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change

It makes me happy to know that, despite the extremism that exists in the public discourse in Israel today, there are initiatives and organizations like BINA and the Secular Yeshiva that have made it their mission to preserve and to spread values of solidarity, social responsibility, caring for the stranger and the weak - these are the important values of Judaism.

For me, the BINA Secular Yeshiva represents the future of the State of Israel. The combination of Jewish values with community engagement is exactly what Israel needs in order to become stronger as a Jewish-Democratic state.

BINA and the Secular Yeshiva have taught us at the Jewish bookshelf is rich, open and accessible to all, and all that we need to do is to open up this bookshelf and let it light up our Judaism as a free choice that will find its place within a fabric of diverse Jewish identities.

I saw the beautiful and warm side of Israel. I saw young people with a passion for doing good, unaffected by the cynicism and apathy rampant among us. I saw a deep connection and comradery between the residents of the neighborhood and the young adults of BINA. And it warmed my heart.

MITF with BINA taught me that the world is much more complicated and interesting than it seems on paper. BINA changed the direction of my future in many ways, and has allowed me to explore new possibilities.

BINA helped me form my own Jewish identity and connection to Israel. BINA made me more responsible, patient, and compassionate – be it to my peers or to a homeless person in the street. BINA made me connect my beliefs to my actions. Because of BINA I am truer to myself.

At BINA, for the first time in my life I was exposed to the Jewish bookshelf, a wonderful source of knowledge that I found to be relevant to my life as a social activist, and beyond. The learning was deep and intimate, different from anything I had done before.