By Karma Feinstein-Cohen
KOKOMO, Indiana — In the days immediately preceding Passover the leaders of a pro-Israel organization traveled from Israel and Canada to Indiana to meet with over a 100 community members in three towns in what was labeled a “Rolling Educational Conference” with the title “Spreading Zionism Where It Matters” in part to help these communities prepare to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut / Israel Independence Day.
Herut North America, a twenty year organization that affiliated with the American Zionist Movement in 2002, has concentrated recently on working with Jews in smaller communities, especially, but not limited to the Midwest, to teach about Zionism and help with educational initiatives designed to strengthen these various communities’ ties with Israel. This was the largest scale series of public events Herut sponsored events in the U.S. so far in 2018 and was preceded by the group’s relaunch in London in the U.K. in February and by Herut Canada’s membership drive and other activities.
Since its inception Herut has worked with all Jews, regardless of affiliation and provides volunteer internships for students and adults in Israel to observe and experience the Israeli job market and society as well as individualized assistance in the Aliyah and absorption process. Zionist education is a main thrust of Herut’s efforts.
Jade Levitt, Herut Canada’s Chairwoman, and I were in Indiana for three days and personally led many of the programs along with Indiana residents who are leaders and active members of Herut.
Starting March 22 in Anderson, Indiana over 50 attendees were offered workshops on Zionist history, Judaism, and Hebrew. A Gary, Indiana event with 35 participants primarily focused on understanding the importance of Jewish Unity and Zionist history was taught as well.
The third event was in Kokomo and had 30 participants on March 24 and included a special session led by Herut Canada’s Jade Levitt on marketing, public relations, and communications aimed at providing local Herut groups in the Midwest with the tips and tools they need to both expand their groups as well as help other groups launch in other communities and be successful.
Indianans Rabbi Moshe Solomon, the Chairman of Magshimey Herut US, and D’Vorah Singleton Midwest Coordinator of Herut North America led many of the classes.
Some of the discussion topics included:
Zionism 101 –History of The Jewish State
Hebrew Language
Judaism and Spirituality
History of Zionism – Unity Not Uniformity
Judaism 101
Jewish Wellness
Habakuk Ben Levi and Dr. Venson Jordan also facilitated key sessions.
Herut traces our history back to 1999, when Knesset members Benny Begin and Michael Kleiner left the Likud political party organization. Subsequently I and other Jabotinsky movement veterans started World Herut and its youth movement, Magshimey Herut. Herut sees itself as the reborn Jabotinsky movement for Zionist education and pro-Israel activism.
Herut North America maintains branches in the US and Canada and is affiliated with the World Herut Movement. The World Herut Movement has affiliates in Israel and in nine additional countries in Europe, South America, and Africa and is currently conducting a Jewish Unity Challenge which was a key focus of “Spreading Zionism Where It Matters.”
The Jewish Unity Challenge calls on Jews, of all backgrounds, denominations, and all ethnicities, emerging Jewish communities in Africa and elsewhere, as well as Ashkenazim and Sephardim, Anousim, Bnei Menashe, and Bal Ej to join in bonds of unity in the spirit of Ahavat Yisrael (Love of Fellow Jews). Herut believes that by promoting solidarity we show our faith in the promise that in the future all of the Jewish People will return to our historic homeland in the Land Of Israel (Eretz Yisrael).
More information about Herut is available at https://www.herutna.org
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Karma Feinstein-Cohen is the Executive Director of World Herut