In light of the troubling current climate in Israel, OTS’s Monique and Mordecai Katz Yachad Program for Jewish Identity coordinated dialogue programs throughout Israel during the week between Tisha B’Av – the day on which we mark the destruction due to baseless hatred – and Tu B’Av – the festival of love. Programs focused on bridging the divides between right and left, religious and secular through discussion, emphasizing the common Jewish heritage and values that unite us all.

Participation in these programs highlighted the thirst amongst the Israeli public for unity and connection.

“So, in a word, what did our dialogue leave you with?”, asked Shlomit Weber, coordinator of the Yachad Program in Yokneam.

“Hope,” said one participant. Another said, “Positive perspective.”

The answers continued to flow non-stop: to listen and to share; we are all Jews; we must strengthen the discourse, our connections and our common identity; we are all brothers and sisters; unity; goodwill; we have no other country; and more.

We are proud of our Yachad coordinators who strive continuously to bring people together to create communities where people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs can live, learn and celebrate their common heritage together.