The Sifra Center works closely with established and rising young religious, political, educational, and community leaders of the Religious Zionist movement in Israel and the Diaspora to strengthen their sense of religious identity, social belonging, and connection to the Jewish community in Israel by deepening and refining their understanding of the complexity of identities in Israeli and Jewish society.
Education
The Center develops content related to Jewish and religious identity in collaboration with professionals in the formal and informal educational systems, and helps support and expand the activities of organizations devoted to Jewish identity and education.
Community
The Center advises communities in Israel and the Diaspora in cooperation with local organizations and community councils, devoting special attention to mixed Jewish-Arab cities and areas. The goal is to deepen inter-communal relations, their connection to the Land of Israel and its local leaders, religious and social activists, and above all else, to consolidate and enhance relations among the disparate elements of Israeli society.
Governance
The Center works with leaders from across the political spectrum to consolidate relations between Israel’s diverse groups, especially in light of the growing trend of polarization and extremism. Among its other missions the Center aims to foster a sense of shared identity between Israel and the Diaspora, within Israeli society itself, and on both the civilian and political fronts through national legislation and engagement with local authorities.
About
The Jewish community in Israel and the Diaspora is undergoing a profound process of redefining its identity: the balance of traditional values and practices with those of modern-day culture, how inward- or outwardly-oriented the community should be, how to accommodate diverse needs of belonging, how to handle community-wide disputes; in short, what it means to be a Jew today.
Over the past twenty years community affiliation and Jewish identity, which were once clear and well-established and clear, have transformed into an endemic challenge for political leaders seeking to make decisions with long-lasting consequences for the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora. Religious leaders have also needed to respond to an evolving culture that expects a fresh, more profound approach. Community leaders have begun establishing a diversity of alternative communities that suit themselves to today’s zeitgeist. Even among business leaders, there has been a growing call to be actively engaged in shaping the character of the Jewish people in the State of Israel and the Diaspora.
The Sifra Center was established to provide tools for leaders in the social, Religious-Zionist, political, and business sectors to help them respond to the challenges of identity and community confronting Jews in Israel and around the world. It seeks to expand their influence with professional tools while adapting appropriately to a dynamic reality.
The Center advises communal leaders, institutes of higher learning, and senior education professional on matters related to community-building, identity, affiliation, and more.
Rabbi Matanya Yadid
Executive Director of the Sifra Center
- Born and raised in Jerusalem, graduate of Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, former member of the Garin Torani in Carmiel and teacher at the Hesder Yeshivas of Beit Orot and Acre.
- Ten years as a lecturer in Education and Judaism at Bar Ilan University and Orot College.
- B.A. and M.A. in Education; PhD student researching contemporary religious identity of youth.
- Consults for communities in Israel and abroad; supports administrators in the field of education and student villages; founded the Alumni Movement of Bnei Akiva; initiated a hotline for youth in crisis, called “Friends Listen”.
- Consults for communities in Israel and abroad; supports administrators in the field of education and student villages; founded the Alumni Movement of Bnei Akiva; initiated a hotline for youth in crisis, called “Friends Listen”.
Fellows’ Program
The Fellows’ Program, consists of twelve leaders between the ages of 30-45 who have a demonstrated influence among young people in Israel; who speak their language and understand the complexities and challenges facing this third generation; who can communicate and implement the Center’s ideas in a way catered to Israeli youth.
Young people today lack access to the universal ideas represented in Jewish sources and exposure to the texts themselves – all while at critical stages of their lives, such as finding a life partner, building a home, starting a family, pursuing an education, establishing a career.
We, at Sifra, believe that this fact is closely linked to the growing gaps, divisions, and intolerance appearing among the diverse streams of Israeli society, and that they stem mostly from lack of familiarity with one another.
The Fellows Program is designed to help leaders tackle challenges like these by providing professional support and a toolbox of skills to handle them effectively.
At the heart of the program are Sifra’s three pillars: focusing on a group of educators who serve as role models and have influence with youth; nurturing young leadership from within the Religious-Zionist movement who can assume key positions in governance; and fostering communities of young people united around shared ideas and values.
The sessions will take place over the course of nine months, from October to June, and include:
Fourteen Meetings
A Two-Day Seminar
A Delegation Overseas
Concluding Session/Presentation of Projects
After the training period, Sifra Center will continue to support the participants, offer guidance, advice – and assistance, and serve as a resource for consultation whenever needed.
Program Participants
Rabbi Eyal Vered
Rabbi of the 'Yachdav' community in Petah Tikva. R.M. at the Meir Institute and lecturer at the Midrasha at Bar Ilan. He teaches Torah, Hasidism, Bible, History and Zionism. He deals with connections in Israeli society within the framework of the Fourth Quarter movement. He is the author of several books on Hasidism (El S'fat Emet, Parashat Shavua v'moadim , Rimzei Elul, Avodat hanefesh) .Member of the Tzohar Board of Directors and Rabbi of the 679 th Brigade in the reserve.
Rabbi Yuval Mittelman
Married to Deborah and father of 7. Director of the Torah Talmud 'Maalot Ram' in Gedera and serves as the rabbi of the central synagogue 'Yeshurun' in Gedera. Head of 'Beit Hamidrash Le'Chaim' for graduates of Hesder yeshivas at Bar Ilan University. Teaches Torah to students in the general public and also to those with a religious background
Shay Gillis
Shay Gillis, teacher and educator at Hartman High School in Jerusalem. Lecturer at the Maboa Midrasha, and instructor at Beit Avi Chai. Lives in Mevo Beitar. Married to Tamar and father of Yaeli, Yonatan, Maayan, Michael and Hillel.
David Simhon
David Simhon is an educator and director. David grew up in Tekoa and studied at the Hesder yeshiva in Tekoa, as well as at the Hebrew University for a BA and MA degree in political science and communication and journalism. David was extensively involved in informal education, among other things leading groups in the Gesher Association and held various positions in the Bnei Akiva youth movement and even in the position of Vice Secretary-General of Bnei Akiva. Today David manages the society and connections field in the Amit organization and works to bring informal tools in formal education and connections and dialogue in Israeli society. Over the years, David was also engaged in journalism and writing, teaching Hasidism and accompanying managers in various areas.
Rabbi Aharon Egel-Tal
Father of seven and grandfather of grandchildren. Graduated from Yeshiva Shavei Hevron and Yeshiva Otniel. Establishment and leadership of the national small Yeshiva 'Ma'ale Hever'. Published the book 'to tell a person his truth'. Radio program "Meeting in Motzash" on Gali Israel for about 4 years. Leadership mentor. Now advisor to the Minister of Heritage.
Rabbi Gabriel Michal Flak
From the founding cycle of "Tekoa Yeshiva". A student of Rabbi Adin Steinzaltz for over 20 years. He was an emissary in the field of "informal education for adults" in a community near the city of Boston, USA. Has a rabbinical qualification from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lander College. He initiated the "Shalhevet" project for study and connection between Jews in Israel and Jews abroad. He currently serves as the head of Tekoa Yeshiva.
Rabbi Elhanan Nir
Rabbi Elchanan Nir is the head of the Beit Midrash "Nehalech Beregesh" at the "Siach Yitzchak" yeshiva, rabbi of the "Mevakshei" community in Jerusalem, teaches at Herzog College and edits the "Shabbat" supplement in 'Makor Rishon' newspaper. Poet and writer. Wrote three Torah books, four books of poetry and a novel. Winner of the Prime Minister's Award, Minister of Education Award and KKL Award for Literature. Married and father of six.
Rabbi Yonatan Namdar
Teaches in seminaries for women in the national religious sector. Lecturer in culture and spirit centers in the general public. Graduated from training and therapy courses and conducts workshops in personal and couples training,
Rabbi Moshe Egozi
Egozi Moshe, married to Tami, father and grandfather, former head of Yeshiva Hispin and later leads the field of leadership development in the Amit organization and is currently accompanying organizational processes in the field of education in large educational bodies.
Rabbi Lior Engelman – credit Sharon Glasner
Rabbi Lior Haim Engelman, national religious rabbi and Israeli author. Married and father of five, lives in Kfar Saba. Head of the community synagogue in Kfar Saba. Teaches at the Meir Institute, at the community synagogue in Kfar Saba, and served as the head of the synagogue at Yeshiva Binot in Ra'anana. A regular columnist in the 'Besheva' newspaper.
Rabbi Amit Pinchas
Amit Pinchas teaches in the middle school grades 7, 8 at the Adrat yeshiva in Bat Yam and is a member in the management of the Rabbis of the Good Land and responsible for the youth body of the organization. The purpose of this body is to establish a clear and enlightening Torah leadership in public disputes, in the way of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda. Also, to create a connection between the younger generations and the Torah leadership
Delegations and Events
Delegation to the UAE Led by Sifra Center
During the visit, MK Ohad Tal and MK Moshe Solomon, both from the Religious Zionism party, were accompanied by Rabbi Matanya Yadid, the founding director of Sifra Center, and Rabbi Daniel Roth, director of Mosaica.
The trip was sponsored by Dr. Ali Al-Nuaimi, director of the Manara Center for Coexistence – a leading international voice in the fight against extremism and the advancement of tolerance, and considered among the architects of the Abraham Accords.
The trip began with a stirring ceremony at the Holocaust Museum in Dubai on the eve of Holocaust Memorial day, with the participation of the Israeli ambassador to the UAE and representatives of the local Jewish community.
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