May 2023
Dear Coalition Community,
Typically, I write to you about a theme of a holiday that is coming up or share a piece of Torah that
I find particularly compelling. This month I am sharing something a bit different – a specific event.
May 9th the Jewish community in Western Connecticut is welcoming Yossi Klein Halevi as part of a
larger visit organized by Jewish communities in New England. Yossi is a senior fellow at the Shalom
Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Together with Imam Abdullah Antepli of Duke University, he co-
directs the Institute’s Muslim Leadership Initiative, which teaches emerging young Muslim-
American leaders about Jewish identity, Judaism, and Israel.
His own origin story is fascinating. As a teenager Yossi was a follower of the militant Rabbi Meir
Kahane. He has since become one of the Jewish community’s biggest advocates for mutual
understand, peace, and tolerance. Yossi is now one of the great scholars of our generation, and I
was delighted when I learned that the Coalition was co-sponsoring his presentation happening at
the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut in Southbury. I first encountered Yossi during
rabbinical school, when I read his 2001 book At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden – which
speaks to the origins of his interfaith work and commitment to dialogue and shared
understanding. His latest book, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor, is a NY Times Best Seller and is
one of the greatest explorations of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Since October 7th, the world has unraveled for many Jews. Yossi’s visit will help us understand how
Israelis are experiencing this war. It has become clear that Jews around American are seeking
connection with one another and connection to Israel. At the same time, we see protests on
college campuses and in our communities that elevate Antisemitism in ways that shock our
conscience. Yossi is a skillful teacher who will speak about how that impacts him, how it impacts
us, and how it impacts the Jewish world. Most critically, he will provide context and nuance to a
conversation that is so often devoid of both.
Judaism is a tradition committed to continued deep and meaningful learning. Bringing a teacher
like Yossi to our community connects us to the Jewish world and invites our community to engage
meaningfully in our connection to Israel. Particularly in this moment of complexity, I invite you to
step into community and to learn about Israel and how the events of the past 200 days impact our
lives as American Jews.
If you can attend, there is a community gathering at 6:15pm with Yossi’s presentation to follow at
7pm. You can register here: https://form.jotform.com/240465501449152
.
May the one who makes peace on high, make peace in Israel, and make peace wherever there is anger
and oppression.
Kol Tuv,
