Temple Israel was founded on the Zionist ideal of enthusiastic support for the Jewish State. This new initiative celebrates our vibrant Jewish homeland with so many ways to connect to Israel.
Please take a moment to listen to the speech given by our President, Joe Bigelman, on the importance of being educated and empowered to speak up for Israel.
Upcoming Events
Zionism, Anti-Semitism, and Progressive Politics: A Panel Discussion
Sunday, December 4 • 2pm at Otus Supply (345 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI)
Join Temple Israel, The Anti-Defamation League, and The Well for a panel discussion about the nuances of anti-Semitism, (anti)Zionism, and progressive political ideology.
We are grateful to welcome Shaya Learner, International Affairs Analyst at the ADL as a guest panelist. He will be joined by clergy from Temple Israel and Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh of The Well.
These programs are part of Temple Israel's TI4Israel series, sponsored by the Miriam and Dr. Isaac Barr Israel Education fund.
Read More
Hungry for even more in-depth knowledge? Here is a list of books our clergy recommend to keep broadening your perspective:
Fault Lines (Menachem Creditor, Amanda Berman) – a collection of essays from American progressive Zionists, including our own Cantor Smolash:
Click here to purchase
How to Fight Anti-Semitism (Bari Weiss) - an urgent wake-up call to all Americans exposing the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in this country.
Click here to purchase
Jerusalem, Drawn and Quartered (Sarah Tuttle-Singer) - a book for anyone who’s wondered who really lives in Israel, and how they coexist.
Click here to purchase
People Love Dead Jews (Dara Horn) - Horn draws upon her own family life to assert the vitality and depth of Jewish life against an antisemitism that, far from being disarmed by the mantra of "Never forget" is on the rise.
Click here to purchase
Visit israel
Your heart will soar visiting Israel with your Temple clergy. Sign up now for one of our planned Israel Missions:
Family Mission: December 22, 2022 - January 2, 2023
Join the clergy of Temple Israel for this once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Israel. We will travel to the Negev Desert, Tel Aviv, ancient and modern Jerusalem, the North, and more in this adventure-filled multi-generational itinerary. The trip is highlighted by a Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem in a shabbat worship service you will never forget. Come with us to hike, bike, explore, taste, worship, and learn about the amazing culture and people of our homeland.
For information or to register visit our Family Mission page.
Teen Mission: June 20 - July 15, 2022 It's time to think about next summer...It's time for ISRAEL!
If you love adventure, amazing food, hiking, Judaism, history, incredible food, culture, leadership, traveling (and did I mention food?), Teen Mission to Israel is for you! TM22 is open to all high school students currently in grades 9-12, including seniors graduating this year.
Adult Mission: March 12 - 21, 2023
Get ready! We’re going back to Israel as a community for the first time in over a decade and want you to join us.
Here’s your chance to experience the heart and soul of Israel and the Detroit Jewish community at the same time. To explore the history, beauty, tastes, sounds, magic and wonder of the Homeland together. 2023 is Israel’s historic 75th Anniversary, too.
For information or to register visit our Adult Mission page.
Online
A curated selection of the very best online videos to sort out fact from fiction:
Can You be Zionist and Progressive?
The Real History of Israel
State of the Union
Forever
Zionism: New Goals
Connection between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism (Sacks)
Does Israel Act as an Apartheid State?
Read the Article
Is Israel an Occupying Power?
Read the Article
What is Hamas?
Can the I-P Conflict be solved?
BDS: The Attempt to Strangle Israel
If You Hate Israel
Chloé Explains it All
Thanks
Our gratitude to the Barr family for the Miriam and Dr. Isaac Barr Israel Education Fund which supports this important initiative. Miriam (Miri) Barr survived the Holocaust, and had a deep passion her whole life for the State of Israel. This initiative is lovingly dedicated to her blessed memory by Dr. Isaac Barr.
