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Inspiring a Renaissance in Jewish Living
Going,
Going, Gone?
Could
this be the future of the Jewish people? Every day we
lose hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Jews to intermarriage
and assimilation. Participation in synagogues is dwindling.
Even graduates of Jewish day schools often lose their
passion for Judaism and drop out of Jewish life. Judaism
and Jewish living just seem to mean less and less to
more and more of us.
Yet, none of these issues are the core problem. They’re
only the symptoms of that problem: To many Jews, Judaism
seems irrelevant, outdated, unsophisticated, and uninspiring.
They simply don’t love it.
Why should Jews remain Jews if Jewish life isn’t
empowering, stimulating and meaningful to them?
| The
love for Jewish life doesn't come with birth. It
comes with education. But
for Jewish education to become the solution, rather
than part of the problem, it
must be Jewish eductation as it was meant to be. |
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The Isralight
Difference
Jews
today deserve to understand the quantum difference
that Jewish wisdom can make in their lives. At Isralight,
we empower Jews to experience this wisdom by sharing
a Judaism that is relevant, profound, spiritual and
joyful.
Isralight participants experience how Judaism enriches
every aspect of their daily lives -- intellectually,
emotionally, spiritually and even physically. They
discover that Judaism is compelling, uplifting and
invigorating, while giving them a vital sense of purpose,
and the tools to succeed in life.
After years of research, development, and hands-on
experience, Isralight has skillfully crafted the educational
formula that works. We know how to inspire Jews, and
motivate them to move forward to reach greater heights
in their lives.
Our inclusive, multi-dimensional approach offers a
warm, welcoming atmosphere where participants from
all backgrounds feel comfortable and spiritually nourished.
The Isralight curricula and method address the needs
of all Jews – from those with little or no formal
Jewish education, to affiliated and observant Jews
– who yearn for the spiritual spark that can
ignite their souls.
Since
1986, Isralight has reached and transformed the lives
of thousands of Jews in the United States, Israel,
and around the world. With our expanded initiatives
in curriculum development and distribution, leadership
training, and community services, we are inspiring
a worldwide Jewish renaissance.
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Our
Core Values
Spiritual
Wisdom – We teach
– we don’t preach. We share the beauty and
power of Judaism without resorting to convincing or
persuading because we know that Jewish wisdom, when
communicated effectively, speaks for itself.
Soulful Experience
– Isralight penetrates to the very
depth of the soul and brings joy to the heart. Participants
are filled with an exuberance of love for, and pride
in an ancient tradition they now value as relevant and
meaningful in their 21st century lives.
Equal-Opportunity Judaism – Labels divide
Jews. Isralight provides an environment that is respectful
to all and that concentrates on the essential teachings
and experiences that unite us.
Connection to Israel – The modern
State of Israel is the realization of a dream we’ve
shared for 2,000 years. Isralight provides life-changing
opportunities for Jews to experience a living connection
with our homeland, and to discover not only the history
of the land, but also her mystery and miracle.
| “Isralight
showed us a Judaism that was applicable to our
lives; that all along was in our hearts as well
as in our heads. As a result, my husband and I
have become more comfortable with the Judaism
we grew up with. We now have the tools to transmit
this love and commitment to our children.”
--Helene Rothenberg, Attorney,
Woodmere, NY
I’ve
had an unbelievable experience with Isralight.
Their way of teaching, the environment they create,
the sensitivity they demonstrate, touches people
deeply. They explain Judaism in ways I’d
never heard before—ways that help you grow
and become more aware of yourself as a person.”
--Jean Schneider, MSW,
Riverdale,
NY |
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Our
Strategy
Isralight’s
integrative strategy is based on three core initiatives:
• Production and dissemination of our world-class
curriculum in a variety of formats
• Training educational leaders to effectively
deliver our curriculum
• Development of strategic alliances with communities
and organizations where our curriculum and leaders
can have far-reaching and sustainable
impact
| “Isralight
conducted a seminar for a group of post high school
students from South Africa and Australia that
was enlightening, thought provoking and inspirational.
The building blocks of Judaism were conveyed in
a manner that each student related to in his own
way. It also helped trigger within them a feeling
and understanding that each person has the power
and opportunity to lead meaningful spiritual lives.”
-- Rabbi Ira Kosowsky, Institute for Youth Leaders
from Abroad, Jerusalem, Israel
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“I
went to an Isralight retreat anticipating a nice
weekend. What I got was a spiritual rush and a
rekindling of my soul that I longed for in my
life. Isralight created a loving and relaxing
space in which I could explore what it means to
be a Jew.”
--Michael Ackerman, International
Sales & Marketing Executive
Boca Raton, FL
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Curriculum
Isralight’s
rich, multifaceted content and inspirational programming
has proven to be a recipe for transforming even the
most apathetic Jews into lovers of Jewish life. This
includes:
Power Talks and Seminars on the Essentials of
Jewish Life – Our compelling talks, seminars
and courses are masterful tapestries woven from the
spectrum of Jewish teachings, including Biblical text,
Midrashic Literature, Talmud, Kabbalah, as well as the
writings of modern Jewish thinkers.
Web-based Learning and Teleconferences
– Our electronic newsletter and live, interactive
Torah study sessions reach thousands of Jews weekly
around the globe.
Best Selling Books – Titles by
Isralight founder and dean, Rabbi David Aaron, include
Endless Light, Seeing G-d, Love is My Religion, and
The Secret Life of G-d.
Isralight Online – Our popular
learning library includes hundreds of titles on topics
such as history, philosophy, mysticism, ethics, daily
living and holidays.
Spiritual Retreats and Shabbat Experiences
– Isralight’s transformational spiritual
retreats and Shabbat weekend getaways attract capacity
crowds, and consistently rejuvenate and enlighten their
participants.
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Leadership
Training
| “After
completing Isralight’s Leadership Training
program, I found that my new skills and knowledge
better enabled me to connect with my students.
This new approach radically altered the students’
appreciation of their Judaism.”
--Rabbi Benjamin Rickman, London, England
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The
Jewish community needs teachers and leaders who not
only can teach effectively, but can also listen and
respond with sensitivity to the spiritual needs and
questions of today’s Jews.
Isralight
is committed to creating a new and inspiring cadre of
educators for the benefit of the entire Jewish community.
We conduct training programs throughout the year to
identify and cultivate the most promising talent.
These programs include leadership seminars,
mentoring programs, Jewish educator and rabbinical enrichment
courses, specialized curriculum, learning missions,
and training institutes – all of which
provide the in-depth instruction, tools and personal
coaching necessary to develop and prepare the next generation
of leaders.
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Community
Development
Isralight
is positioned to become a premiere resource for Jewish
communities around the world by providing our inspirational
curricula and educational experiences for adults and
high school students on an on-going basis.
To do so, we must nurture vibrant communities so that
meaningful Jewish experiences and study become abundantly
accessible. Isralight is committed to the broadest definition
of “community” and is dedicated to working
in collaborative partnership with Jewish communities
and organizations of all types and sizes.
“The
Isralight-KJ partnership has been a winning proposition
for us. The complement of the content and experiences
Isralight provides for our community has brought
new faces and energy to KJ.”
--Rabbi Elie Weinstock, Congregation Kehilath
Jeshurun, New York, NY
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Educational
Leadership
Isralight
is led by two of the brightest and most dynamic educators
in the Jewish community today: Rabbi David Aaron and
Rabbi Binny Freedman.
Rabbi David Aaron, founder and dean of Isralight, is
a visionary educator and author. His books have been
published by major publishing houses and have sold more
than 100,000 copies worldwide. He has taught thousands
of students and reached millions through appearances
on programs including Larry King Live and E! Entertainment.
photo by
Sarah
Fefer
| “I
have used teachings from Rabbi Aaron’s book
Endless Light on numerous occasions and have given
it to dozens of people since I’ve read it.
On a personal level, Rabbi Aaron’s words
and ideas reflect how I try to approach the world
and have caused me to change and embrace myself
as a work in constant progress.”
-- Ronit Sherwin, Assistant Director of the Department
of Jewish Community Life, St. Louis JCC
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“More
than anyone else, Rav Binny’s model as teacher,
rabbi, soldier and organizer in the Jewish community
succinctly summarizes for us his ability and commitment
to transforming the Jewish people.”
-- Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch, Director, Young Leadership
Cabinet,
Orthodox Union
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| Rabbi
Binny Freedman is an energetic teacher, talented musician
and Company Commander in the Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF). His weekly internet Parsha Bytes have a readership
of more than 15,000. A survivor of the S’barro’s
suicide bombing in Jerusalem, Rav Binny has appeared
on CNN, MSNBC and NBC commenting on Middle East politics,
security and terrorism.
ISRALIGHT.
INSPIRING A RENAISSANCE IN JEWISH LIVING
Isralight
is dedicated to inspiring a worldwide Jewish renaissance
through essential and innovative educational solutions
that empower Jews to experience the relevance, wisdom
and joy of Jewish living.
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