Jewish identity

Our nation of Israel openly seems to declare that we have been split between two critical aspects of our identity – our Judaism and our “Israelism.”

It is essential for us to wear our Jewishness with pride, and to acknowledge our identity, and to proclaim to the world with unwavering conviction, “This is our story.”

We cannot shy away from engaging in the challenging discussions surrounding the impact of hate on our community. We should not allow ourselves to be bound by shame, and trauma.

Maybe Herzl would have been impressed by the state we established, but we in the World Zionist Organization know that the work is far from over.

A new translation of Franz Kafka's diaries gives readers the fullest possible picture of his complex relationship with Judaism.

Fostering the values of decency, kindness and empathy are integral values to Jewish identity. Many pluralistic and modern Orthodox schools list menschlichkeit at the top of their mission statements.

I realized, finally, maybe for the first time in my life, that, yes, I want to continue the Jewish family; and, no, I am not practicing Judaism because it’s all I’ve ever known but because I want to.

It is important for other Anglos to know about this story. It appears that neither age nor decades as an Israeli citizen ensure that an individual can avoid this irrational situation.

More than a year ago, Yaron Deckel paused his career on Israeli television and radio and was sent as a senior Jewish Agency shliach to Canada.