Neve Schechter offers unique courses in Jewish thought, creativity and art. These study opportunities are a portal into intellectual, spiritual and artistic experiences that are relevant and meaningful in today’s Israel. They explore topics as diverse as creativity in Talmudic debate, Jewish and Israeli song and prayer, Kabbalistic texts in conversation with the theories of Carl Jung, and the secular theology of great Jewish literary figures.
Two new courses will address the challenges of recent Olim and provide a forum for them to translate their experience as Israeli immigrants into artistic forms.
The "Art Lab" Bet Midrash for Russian-speaking Israeli Artists
Initiated in November 2023, this program is for immigrants from Ukraine and Russia between the ages of 25-40 who moved to Israel within the last five years. It merges the study of Jewish texts with workshops dedicated to the plastic arts, painting, video and music. It is an innovative opportunity for these recent immigrants to connect, develop artistically and, often for the first time, encounter basic concepts of Jewish life.
The "Content Creators" Beit Midrash for American-Israelis
The Beit Midrash for American-Israelis will explore a variety of issues through the creation of short films that deal with Jewish-Israeli identity boundaries / inclusion and exclusion: new or old American immigrants, Israeli expatriates, dual citizens who grew up in both countries, and children of immigrants. It will bring to center stage the issues that preoccupy the participants, all of whom work as content creators, and offer them a unique, supportive framework for the development of new works that touch on these issues. The goal is to produce video content that illuminates the contemporary discourse on Judaism, Israeliness and everything in between in a new and interesting way, especially amidst the heartache, stress and insecurity as a result of the current war.
