Judaism, Israel, and Refugees

Judaism, Israel, and Refugees | a special lesson plan

Caring for the stranger lies at the heart of Jewish ethics, memory and soul. The mitzvah (imperative) to protect the stranger is repeated more than any other, as in last week’s Torah portion Mishpatim: “Do not oppress a stranger for you know the soul of the stranger, since you were strangers in the Land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9)

For BINA, the Jewish-democratic State of Israel must embrace the Jewish people AND Jewish values, including those that call upon us to welcome the stranger as well as take care of our own. These principles guide us in all the work that we do, from south Tel Aviv to across Israel and beyond

Explore this topic in this lesson plan which includes ancient and modern sources and guiding questions.

For Whom the Bells Toll – Parashat Tazria-Metzora | Ran Oron

30/04/2025

The Torah portions of Tazria and Metzora are read as a single portion in non-leap years and deal mostly with the disease of leprosy. Despite being portions that deal with impurity and illness, Parashat Tazria opens with the purification ritual for a woman who has given birth, an event of renewal and birth. A surprising opening that suggests perhaps within the heart of illness, difficulty, and pain, the key to renewal can also be found. […]

קרא עוד…

Reflections on the Passover Seder for 2025

09/04/2025

This year, we invited different BINA educators to share their reflections on different parts of the Passover seder. Each educator chose a different passage from the Haggadah and shared their thoughts on the passage, reflecting on personal experiences and contemporary realities. We invite you to explore these reflections to add meaning to your seder or Passover holiday. […]

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Coming Out of Egypt, Today

06/04/2025

For Passover 2025 / 5785 – By Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg – I grew up learning that the entire Passover seder can be summarized in one sentence: “In every generation each person must see themselves as if they themselves came out of Egypt”. I was taught that the purpose of the seder is to cultivate within us a mindset of continued mindful awareness, appreciation and gratitude of our freedom, so that we don’t take it for granted, lest we become complacent or apathetic. […]

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A Nest of My Prayers – Parashat Vayakhel | Ran Oron

20/03/2025

Who is “the angel who has redeemed me”? Is it the same angel with whom Jacob wrestled, before earning the name Israel? Did he miss or remember him? How will the angel bless the boys from all evil? And why the Divine Presence does not allow Israel to foresee the future of his loved ones? […]

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Parashat Ki Tisa: Leadership, Freedom, and the Golden Calf

18/03/2025

Parashat Ki Tisa presents one of the most dramatic moments in the Torah—the sin of the Golden Calf. In this pivotal event, two leaders stand before us—Moses and Aaron—each embodying a different style of leadership, each with a distinct perspective on the relationship between a leader and the people. […]

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Parashat Vayechi – Jacob’s New Angel | Ran Oron

09/01/2025

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Judaism, Israel, and Refugees