Brandeis Hosts Directors of Israeli Community Centers

Last year, Dr. Dan Glass participated in the Irving Rabin Community Building Mission to Israel, a pilot program of the Jewish Federation in partnership with Varda Rabin. On Thursday, April 20, Brandeis had the opportunity to host directors of Israeli community centers in a similar, albeit reverse model, of the trip that Dr. Glass took. “The idea of the exchange is that these directors can learn from Bay Area Jewish organizations about what processes and programs we have in place to help facilitate connections among Jews in the community, as well as between organizations,” Dr. Glass explains. The morning was spent in small-group discussion, in which the Israeli leaders and Bay Area organization leaders engaged in meaningful conversations.

 

“The trip last year was really formative for me,” says Dr. Glass. “It was my first time in Israel. It was fascinating to see work around pluralistic, multicultural, civil society. A trip like that is a real gift. So when Varda Rabin asked if Brandeis could host an equivalent trip, of course we wanted to! Not just because we want to host, but also to be of similar value to them as they were to me.” It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our school, and many participants “were especially complimentary of our school and were taken with the vibrant atmosphere we have here at Brandeis.”