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; Director of the “Rabbis as Mediators” Program, Mosaica
- 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.
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.
Please leave your details below and we will respond as soon as possible
עיצוב ופיתוח: