Response to the Current Climate
AJR has stood up proudly and with conviction as a Zionist institution during these difficult times . As a pluralistic institution , we know that Zionism is a big tent , and that our community may have many different views that fall within that tent . We struggle together , pray together , and work together for the return of our beloved hostages , and for peace .
As a pluralistic and Zionist institution , AJR made important adaptations to equip our students with the knowledge and resources necessary to become exemplary Jewish leaders in the post-October 7th landscape . We are proud of adding additional courses such as “ Israel Post October 7 ,” “ Leading Through Crisis ” and “ Teaching Israel ” and special programming such as “ How to Talk to Kids About October 7th and the War ,” “ The IDF ’ s Ethical Code ” and more . We quickly pivoted the topics at our Retreat and Intensive . AJR also created an open forum during a weekly lunchtime program for our students to converse about the current climate .
For the larger Jewish community , we were able to publish a Haggadah supplement and a High Holidays supplement to help our extended community get through the holidays during these tumultuous times .
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