Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website.

# Tikvah: The Tikvah Fund is an ideas institution committed to supporting the intellectual, religious, and political leaders of the Jewish people.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://tikvah.org/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Pages
- [Global Staff](https://tikvah.org/about/global-staff-new/): Executive Leadership
Eric Cohen
President & Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Hershel Lutch
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Dr. Jonathan Silver
Senior Vice President & Chief Programming Officer Malka Groden
Chief Development Officer Rabbi Mark Gottlieb
Senior Advisor Michael Appel
Vice President of Student Programs Alan Rubenstein
Executive Director of the Rosenthal-Levy Scholars Program Avi Snyder
Senior Director of Tikvah Ideas
- [Invest in Jewish and Zionist Excellence.<br />Join the Tikvah Society Today.](https://tikvah.org/about/support/truman/): 
- [Invest in Jewish and Zionist Excellence.<br />Join the Tikvah Society Today.](https://tikvah.org/about/support/america250/): 
- [Curriculum (Gutenberg)](https://tikvah.org/millstone/curriculum-g/)
- [Why Millstone (Gutenberg)](https://tikvah.org/millstone/why-millstone-g/)
- [About (Gutenberg)](https://tikvah.org/millstone/about-g/)
- [Millstone Scholars (Gutenberg)](https://tikvah.org/millstone/home-g/): Educating the next generation of confident Jewish leaders.
- [Test](https://tikvah.org/test/)
- [Poetry and Wisdom in Dialogue: T.S. Eliot and the Jews](https://tikvah.org/solomon-fellowship/ts-eliot-and-the-jews/): What, if anything, should we learn from poetry? Motivated by this question and others, we will read a poem and essay by one of the twentieth-century's best and most famous poets, T.S. Eliot. We will pair Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men" with chapters from Ecclesiastes (Kohelet), and Eliot's essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent" with the passage from the Passover Haggadah addressing the Four Sons.
- [Applications Closed](https://tikvah.org/beren-fellowship/applications-closed/):     Applications for the 2026 Beren Summer Fellowship are now closed. Information regarding the 2027 Beren Summer Fellowship will become available in late summer 2026.    
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support/passover26/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Support Tikvah in honor of Alexandra’s Bat Mitzvah!](https://tikvah.org/about/alexandrasbatmitzvah/): In celebration of this special milestone, we invite you to join us in supporting Tikvah, an organization close to our hearts. Your generosity will help make a lasting impact and honor Alexandra’s commitment to community, kindness, and tzedakah. Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey.
- [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE](https://tikvah.org/press-release/): Washington, DC (January 22, 2026) - Ruth R. Wisse, scholar of Yiddish literature and Jewish literature and culture, will deliver the 52nd Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities.
- [Leaders’ Conference](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-collegiate-forum/exodus-fellowship/leaders-conference/)
- [Fellowship Tracks](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-collegiate-forum/exodus-fellowship/fellowship-tracks/)
- [About the Tikvah Collegiate Forum Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-collegiate-forum/exodus-fellowship/program-structure/)
- [Tikvah Collegiate Forum Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-collegiate-forum/exodus-fellowship/)
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support-renewal/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Tikvah Financials](https://tikvah.org/about/financials/): Tikvah’s global financial reporting is GAAP compliant and is issued on full accrual basis.
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support/eoy2025/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Programs for Young Professionals](https://tikvah.org/young-professionals/)
- [Programs for College Students](https://tikvah.org/college-students/)
- [Programs for High School Students](https://tikvah.org/high-school-students/)
- [Programs for Middle School Students](https://tikvah.org/middle-school-students/)
- [Frequently Asked Questions – Israel](https://tikvah.org/hs-summer-programs/faq-israel/)
- [Frequently Asked Questions – DC](https://tikvah.org/hs-summer-programs/faq-dc/)
- [Frequently Asked Questions – Blake Center](https://tikvah.org/hs-summer-programs/faq-blake-center/)
- [High School Summer Programs](https://tikvah.org/hs-summer-programs/home/)
- [High School Summer Programs](https://tikvah.org/hs-summer-programs/): The mission of the Tikvah Scholars Program is to advance Jewish excellence in the modern age by exposing some of the best Jewish students to the most important foundational questions in politics, economics, Zionist thought and statesmanship, and Judaism, guided by some of the best teachers, scholars and practitioners in America.
- [Application](https://tikvah.org/the-tikvah-legal-fellowship/apply-now/)
- [Support Tikvah in honor of Will’s Bar Mitzvah!](https://tikvah.org/about/willsbarmitzvah/): In celebration of this special milestone, we invite you to join us in supporting Tikvah, an organization close to our hearts. Your generosity will help make a lasting impact and honor Will’s commitment to community, kindness, and tzedakah. Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey.
- [Meet the 2025 – 2026 Krauthammer Fellows](https://tikvah.org/krauthammer-fellowship/fellows-2026/)
- [Meet the 2025-26 Academic Fellows](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/2025-26-academic-fellows/):   Meet the 2025-26 Academic Fellows
- [Truman Scholars Program](https://tikvah.org/toa/truman-scholars-fall-2025/): Please review our course offerings for the fall. Each course will meet once a week for five weeks. When you are ready to register, scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the registration form. If you have any questions about the courses, please email Tali Rosenberg at trosenberg@tikvah.org.
- [Fall 2025](https://tikvah.org/toa/fall-2025/): Tikvah Online Academy offers high-level seminars—with small classes, master teachers, and spirited discussions—for students interested in Jewish ideas, Zionism and modern Israel, American democracy, and Western civilization.
- [Applications](https://tikvah.org/krauthammer-fellowship/applications-closed/)
- [The Wars of Israel: From the War of Independence to Operation Rising Lion](https://tikvah.org/overseas/seminars/israels-wars/)
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/society-highholidays/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/highholidays/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Join Tikvah in Toronto – September 4, 2025](https://tikvah.org/about/toronto/): The Jewish way of life must be perpetuated through an education that starts at a young age and continues throughout a lifetime.  For millennia, Jews have ceaselessly transmitted and reinforced the teachings of our sacred tradition. Yet today—as the "war against the Jews" reaches a fever pitch—many young people have abandoned, or even repudiated, their Jewish identity.
- [Key Dates](https://tikvah.org/competition/key-dates/)
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support-ideas/): At Tikvah, we believe that big ideas matter, and that their impact on human life and civilization is powerful and enduring. That is why—in addition to our ever-growing array of educational programs for students—we dedicate our energies to incubating, publishing, producing, and distributing work on the animating principles of Jewish, Zionist, American, and Western civilization.
- [Thank You!](https://tikvah.org/toa/summer-2025/thank-you/): Thank you for submitting your Tikvah Online Academy application. Students who are new to Tikvah Online Academy must schedule a short 10 minute interview using the form below or by clicking here.
- [Program Structure and Schedule](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/program-structure-and-schedule/)
- [Advisory Council](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/advisory-council/)
- [Fellowship Dean](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/fellowship-dean/)
- [About the Tikvah Academic Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/about/)
- [Tikvah Academic Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/home/)
- [Academic Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/academic-fellowship/)
- [Competition Details](https://tikvah.org/competition/information/)
- [FAQ](https://tikvah.org/competition/faq/)
- [Reading List](https://tikvah.org/competition/reading-list/)
- [Eligibility / Partners](https://tikvah.org/competition/eligibility-requirements/)
- [The National Middle East History Competition](https://tikvah.org/competition/overview/)
- [The National Middle East History Competition](https://tikvah.org/competition/)
- [Summer 2025](https://tikvah.org/toa/summer-2025/): Tikvah Online Academy offers high-level seminars—with small classes, master teachers, and spirited discussions—for students interested in Jewish ideas, Zionism and modern Israel, American democracy, and Western civilization.
- [Judaism and the Pursuit of Wisdom: Torah vs. Higher Education](https://tikvah.org/tsp/curriculum/judaism-and-the-pursuit-of-wisdom-torah-vs-higher-education/)
- [Press](https://tikvah.org/jewish-parents-forum/press/)
- [Events](https://tikvah.org/jewish-parents-forum/events/)
- [Media](https://tikvah.org/jewish-parents-forum/media/)
- [About](https://tikvah.org/jewish-parents-forum/about/)
- [Jewish Parents Forum](https://tikvah.org/jewish-parents-forum/home/)
- [Jewish Parents Forum](https://tikvah.org/jewish-parents-forum/)
- [Deans](https://tikvah.org/the-tikvah-legal-fellowship/deans/)
- [Yom Ha’Atzmaut 5785 / 2025 Festival of Learning](https://tikvah.org/ideas/yom-haatzmaut-5785/): There’s no more fitting way to commemorate Israel’s 77th birthday than recovering the ideas that animate it, the historical achievements that led to its founding, the tough defense that it needs to endure, and the civilizational purposes to which it is dedicated. This is a moment of great Zionist awakening and urgency, and learning together as a community is our way to honor the day. Below, you'll find five unique, engaging, and inspiring presentations from some of Tikvah's most talented teachers and alumni. All sessions can be found below and were recorded Sunday, April 27, 2025, including:
- [Tikvah Weekend in Pittsburgh](https://tikvah.org/about/pittsburgh/): Tikvah’s mission is to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Tikvah operates schools, intensive fellowships, summer institutes, and honors programs for students of all ages. We work closely with Jewish parents, educators, day schools, and colleges. We produce publications, podcasts, and online courses that bring Tikvah’s ideas to the world. Through the Tikvah Society and our many membership programs and gatherings, we are building a community of engaged Jews and public-spirited Americans committed to our shared calling.
- [Book Clubs](https://tikvah.org/solomon-fellowship/book-clubs/)
- [“Ten-Minute <i>Mitzvah</i>“: A Reader on the Commandments of Passover](https://tikvah.org/ideas/passover-2025/): SIGN-UP FOR THE PDF READER
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support-passover-2025/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Why Millstone](https://tikvah.org/millstone/why-millstone/)
- [Leadership](https://tikvah.org/millstone/leadership/)
- [About](https://tikvah.org/millstone/about/)
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support/passover25/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Advisory Board](https://tikvah.org/about/advisory-board/): Judy FleischerNew York, NY
- [Millstone Scholars](https://tikvah.org/millstone/schedule-a-meeting/): Thank you for applying to the Millstone Program! New students should schedule a brief Zoom meeting with our team so we can get to know you better. Please use the link below to select a convenient time on our calendar. We look forward to meeting you! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at millstonescholars@tikvah.org.
- [Millstone Scholars](https://tikvah.org/millstone/thank-you/): In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at MillstoneScholars@tikvah.org.
- [Other Tikvah Ideas Publications and Media](https://tikvah.org/ideas/other-tikvah-ideas-publications-and-media/)
- [JLC](https://tikvah.org/jlc/)
- [Thank You!](https://tikvah.org/ideas/liberal-betrayal-reg/tikvah-live-thank-you-lb/): (The videos may not work if you are using an old version of Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge or Safari. If possible, please open the video lectures using the most updated versions of Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.)
- [Ideas](https://tikvah.org/ideas/)
- [Sign Up Now! Watch Tikvah’s 2024 Jewish Leadership Conference](https://tikvah.org/ideas/jlc-2024-2/): Earlier this month, 1,000 members of the Tikvah community gathered at the 2024 Jewish Leadership Conference (JLC) to think together about the Jewish Fight for America and the meaning of this moment in history. They heard from a wide range of policymakers, writers, thinkers, educational leaders, and activists on the most important issues now facing the Jewish people in America, Israel, and around the globe. Starting today, and continuing over the next week, we will be releasing all of the Conference videos to the public. Speakers include Nikki Haley, Michael Oren, Ben Sasse, Ruth R. Wisse, and many other important public voices. Register below to watch all of the available sessions!
- [2024 Jewish Leadership Conference Videos](https://tikvah.org/ideas/jlc-2024-videos/): Click on the session titles to watch each recording!
- [Sign Up Now! Watch Tikvah’s 2024 Jewish Leadership Conference](https://tikvah.org/ideas/jlc-2024/): On December 8, 2024, 1,000 members of the Tikvah community gathered at the Jewish Leadership Conference to think together about the Jewish Fight for America and the meaning of this moment in history. They heard from a wide range of policymakers, writers, thinkers, educational leaders, and activists on the most important issues now facing the Jewish people in America, Israel, and around the globe. Register below to watch the Conference videos!
- [Join the Jewish Fight for America.<br />Support Tikvah’s Year-End Campaign.](https://tikvah.org/about/support/eoysupport/): 
- [Great Ideas Seminars Archives](https://tikvah.org/solomon-fellowship/great-ideas-seminars-archives/):   Great Ideas Seminars Archives   October 2024: Jewish Theology Going to Shul by Milton Himmelfarb in Commentary The Ten Commandments: Why the Decalogue Matters by Leon Kass in Mosaic The Jewish Mother: A Theology by Meir Soloveichik in Azure November 2024: Jews and America  The Myth of Ellis Island and Other Tales of Origin by Dara Horn in Azure The Soul of a Nation by Wilfred McClay in National Affairs The Biblical Origins of Equality by Joshua Berman in Azure What Adams Saw Over Jefferson's Wall by Richard A. Samuelson in Commentary December 2024: Zionism and the Return of Jewish Politics The Most Politically Significant Meeting of Any Group of Jews in the Last 1,800 Years by Dan Polisar in Mosaic If Israel Ceased to Exist by Hillel Halkin in Commentary The Brilliant Failure of Jewish Foreign Policy by Ruth Wisse in Azure January 2025: Jews and Christians  Confrontation by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik in Tradition  On Creative Minorities by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in First Things  What Christians See in Jews and Israel in 2020 of the Common Era by Wilfred McClay in Mosaic A Dissent on Brother Daniel by Marc Galanter in Commentary  February 2025: The Holocaust and Antisemitism  How Not to Remember & How Not to Forget by Ruth Wisse in Commentary Eichmann: The Simplicity of Evil by Hillel Halkin in Commentary  Imagine: On Love and Lennon by Ze'ev Maghen in Azure The Functions of Anti-Semitism by Ruth Wisse in National Affairs  March 2025: Judaism and the Moral Challenges of Technology  Keeping Life Human: Science, Religion, and the Soul by Leon Kass in Azure The Great Partnership-Introduction by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks What Artificial Intelligence has in Store for Judaism by Moshe Koppel in Mosaic The Golem and the Limits of Artifice by Charles T. Rubin in The New Atlantis      
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support/eoy-outlook/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support/eoy-klaviyo/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Programs for College Students & Young Professionals](https://tikvah.org/college-young-professionals/)
- [Support Us](https://tikvah.org/about/support/eoy/): Your partnership is critical to Tikvah’s mission to educate exceptional young Jews and to bring the best Jewish and Zionist ideas to the world. Whether you choose to donate financially, join one of our leadership groups or leave a legacy, you are helping Tikvah advance Jewish excellence, courage and moral clarity in our modern age.
- [Programs for Middle & High School Students](https://tikvah.org/middle-high-school-students/)
- [About the Tikvah Legal Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/the-tikvah-legal-fellowship/home-2/)
- [Staff](https://tikvah.org/the-tikvah-legal-fellowship/staff-2/)
- [Fall 2024](https://tikvah.org/toa/fall-2024/): Tikvah Online Academy offers high-level seminars—with small classes, master teachers, and spirited discussions—for students interested in Jewish ideas, Zionism and modern Israel, American democracy, and Western civilization.
- [Truman Scholars Program – Fall 2024](https://tikvah.org/toa/truman-scholars-fall-2024/): Please review our course offerings for the fall. Each course will meet once a week for five weeks. When you are ready to register, scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the registration form. If you have any questions about the courses, please email Irina Rakhlis at irakhlis@tikvah.org.
- [Solomon Journal](https://tikvah.org/solomon-fellowship/solomon-journal/)
- [Great Ideas Seminars](https://tikvah.org/solomon-fellowship/great-ideas-seminars-3/)
- [Great Leaders and Decisive Moments in Zionist History](https://tikvah.org/overseas/seminars/great-leaders-and-decisive-moments-in-zionist-history/)
- [The Soul of a Nation: Zionism Through Poetry, Song, and Story](https://tikvah.org/overseas/seminars/the-soul-of-a-nation-zionism-through-poetry-song-and-story/)
- [Past Events](https://tikvah.org/young-professionals-forum/past-events/)
- [The Israel-Hamas War, Hezbollah, and Iran’s Destabilization of the Middle East](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-collegiate-forum/the-israel-hamas-war-hezbollah-and-irans-destabilization-of-the-middle-east/)

## People
- [Sam Zahn](https://tikvah.org/people/sam-zahn/)
- [Rachel Haron](https://tikvah.org/people/rachel-haron/)
- [Josh Tolle](https://tikvah.org/people/josh-tolle/)
- [Juliana Castillo](https://tikvah.org/people/juliana-castillo/)
- [Tali Rosenberg](https://tikvah.org/people/tali-rosenberg/)
- [Caroline Bryk](https://tikvah.org/people/caroline-bryk-2/)
- [Nicole Chermak](https://tikvah.org/people/nchermak/)
- [Sharon Banda](https://tikvah.org/people/sharon-banda/)
- [Sarah Baird](https://tikvah.org/people/sarah-baird-2/)
- [Ben Schachter](https://tikvah.org/people/ben-schachter/): Ben Schachter is professor of digital art and media at Saint Vincent College. He is an internationally recognized designer and illustrator who received the Emma Lazarus award for art by Combat Antisemitism. His work has been exhibited by Yale University, Yeshiva University, The Jewish Museum Berlin and venues throughout the United States. He is currently working on his third graphic novella based on the Pardes story from Talmud. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife and children.
- [Luke Moon](https://tikvah.org/people/luke-moon/): Luke Moon is the Executive Director of the Philos Project. Prior to that, Luke served as business manager for the Institute on Religion and Democracy, and, before that, as a missionary with Youth with a Mission for 12 years. Luke has lived, worked, and taught in over 46 countries, and has advocated on a number of human rights issues along the way. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies from the University of the Nations and an MA in Global Politics from Regent University. Luke is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister.
- [Marc LiVecche](https://tikvah.org/people/marc-livecche/): Dr. Marc LiVecche is the McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life at Providence. He is also a non-resident research fellow at the US Naval War College, in the College of Leadership and Ethics. LiVecche earned his Ph.D. in religious ethics at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In the past Marc has led educational travel trips through Central Europe, primarily through the former Nazi concentration camps in Oswiecim (Auschwitz) Poland, exploring the history and theological implications of the holocaust and evil more generally.
- [Dr. Sarah Rubinson Levy](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-sarah-rubinson-levy/): Dr. Sarah Rubinson Levy has been involved in education since 2001 – working, teaching, consulting, and writing in the areas of supplemental, day school, adult, and experiential education. She holds an undergraduate degree in business and sociology and holds a Master of Jewish Education degree from Hebrew College, a doctorate in education from Northeastern University, and certificates in Advanced Jewish Studies, Day School Education, Jewish Educational Leadership, and Elements of AI. She also has certifications in Executive Coaching and Responsible AI. Her areas of focus include progressive/student-centered education, integration of artificial intelligence into education, and teacher professional development and support. She considers herself a scholar-practitioner, drawing from research and data to create effective and joyful learning environments. Most recently, she was a founding head of school for Einstein Academy, a progressive private school in Denver, CO. She currently empowers excellence in education through her work with Sarah Rubinson Consulting and Contracting with an approach that integrates empathy and curiosity, working with each organization in a way that is both realistic and aspirational. She is a proud Colorado native and currently lives in Denver, CO with her four kids, dog, beta fish, and leopard gecko.
- [Tzivia Lutch](https://tikvah.org/people/tzivia-lutch/): Ms. Tzivia Lutch serves as Confidential Assistant to Commissioner Andrew Ferguson at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC. Ms. Lutch’s prior policy, government, and NGO work in DC has included working in the office of Senator Tom Cotton (where she researched the China-US relationship and the geopolitical standing of Taiwan), supporting the work of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (working to protect students facing anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism on college campuses); and interning at the US Court of Federal Claims, in the chambers of Judge Mathew H. Solomson. Tzivia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Touro University’s Honors Political Science program where her studies focused on the intersection of appellate jurisprudence, individual rights, and the legislative process. Tzivia has been involved with Tikvah for over four years. She has served as a Tikvah Collegiate Forum chapter president, a Beren-Tikvah fellow, and as a teacher in the Tikvah Online Academy.
- [Ilan Yona](https://tikvah.org/people/ilan-yona/): Ilan Yona is Hebrew Instructional Coach at Pressman Academy in Los Angeles, and concurrently a doctoral candidate in second language pedagogy at Middlebury College. Born in Israel, Ilan is passionate about connecting young Jewish students to the Hebrew language, to Jewish religion, to Jewish culture, and to the State of Israel. His goal is always to help students associate their Jewish identity with joy and never with drudgery. For these reasons, he is a vigorous advocate for the use of authentic modern Israeli materials alongside Biblical texts so that Hebrew and Jewish identity are of living relevance to his own students and to the students of the teachers he coaches.
- [Keith Harris](https://tikvah.org/people/keith-harris/): Keith Harris received his BA at the University of California at Los Angeles (summa cum laude) and his Ph.D. in United States history at the University of Virginia. He has taught courses in United States history at the University of Virginia and the University of California at Riverside and currently chairs the history department and teaches at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles. His work focuses on nineteenth and twentieth-century American history with a special emphasis on the Civil War, reconstruction, historical memory, and national reconciliation. He is the author of Across the Bloody Chasm: The Culture of Commemoration Among Civil War Veterans and Mastering the Past: Unlocking Excellence in High School History. He is currently writing a series of essays on American exceptionalism and the monuments at Gettysburg. He lives and works in Hollywood, California.
- [Ariel Lutch](https://tikvah.org/people/ariel-lutch/): Mrs. Ariel Lutch is a teacher in the Truman Scholars Program and is the editor of the 2023-2024 editions of Truman’s core textbooks, Land of Liberty and Hope: The Jewish Experience in America and The Founding of Modern Israel: Leaders Who Built the Jewish State. In addition to her roles at Tikvah, Mrs. Lutch is a sought-after English Language Arts and history teacher at the Bais Yaakov School of Baltimore, MD. Mrs. Lutch has a Master of Art in Teaching degree from the Johns Hopkins University. In addition to her duties within the classroom, Mrs. Lutch coordinates several curricular initiatives between different academic divisions within her school. Mrs. Lutch was also a participant in the inaugural teacher’s colloquium for the Lobel Center at Princeton. Mrs. Lutch has three children and enjoys reading historical fiction in the rare quiet moment.
- [Abie Hersh](https://tikvah.org/people/abie-hersh/)
- [Darius Gross](https://tikvah.org/people/darius-gross/): Darius Gross hails from Englewood, NJ and is a recent graduate of Princeton University with a concentration in History. He is an incoming analyst at Baron Public Affairs, a DC-based consultancy, where he worked as a researcher last summer. At Princeton, Darius ran a Tikvah campus chapter and served as Publisher for the Tory, Princeton’s journal for conservative thought. Previously, he worked for Walter Russell Mead at the Hudson Institute, and he is also an alum of the Hertog political studies program and the Tikvah Beren Summer Fellowship. Before university, Darius took a gap year at Yeshivat Migdal Hatorah in Israel. In his free time, you may find Darius reading, drawing, writing, gaming, volunteering at a local nature reserve, or pretending to be competent at the guitar.
- [Jonathan Mack](https://tikvah.org/people/jonathan-mack/): Jonathan Mack is Associate Director of University Programs at Tikvah and an alumnus of several Tikvah fellowships and programs. Previously, he worked as a corporate strategy analyst at DaVita, where he focused on the financial impact of federal value-based care and home healthcare policy. Jonathan holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from Washington University in St. Louis and studied at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi and Yeshivat Har Etzion.
- [Malka Groden](https://tikvah.org/people/malka-groden/)
- [Jonathan Mack](https://tikvah.org/people/jonathan-mack-2/)
- [Tikvah Fund](https://tikvah.org/people/75324/)
- [Krauthammer Fellowship](https://tikvah.org/people/krauthammer-fellowship/)
- [Ariella Gentin](https://tikvah.org/people/ariella-gentin-2/)
- [Tamara Berens](https://tikvah.org/people/tamara-berens-2/)
- [Alec Goldstein](https://tikvah.org/people/alec-goldstein/)
- [Amy Gabriel](https://tikvah.org/people/amy-gabriel/)
- [Rachel Kaissar](https://tikvah.org/people/rachel-kaissar/)
- [Irina Rakhlis](https://tikvah.org/people/irina-rakhlis/)
- [Rabbi Abraham Unger, Ph.D.](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-abraham-unger-ph-d/)
- [Rabbi Isaac Selter](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-isaac-selter/)
- [Dr. Doran “Dodie” Katz](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-doran-dodie-katz/)
- [Benjamin Gottesman](https://tikvah.org/people/benjamin-gottesman-2/)
- [Avi Garson](https://tikvah.org/people/avi-garson/)
- [Sabrina Soffer](https://tikvah.org/people/sabrina-soffer/): Sabrina Soffer is a current sophomore at George Washington University. Since the attacks against Israel and its civilian population on October 7th, Sabrina has worked extensively with the George Washington University administration to address anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activism on campus. Sabrina also was key in organizing a rally at the Lincoln Memorial on October 8th and a rally on GW's campus on October 9th, in solidarity with Israel following the attacks. Sabrina was one of two speakers representing the student perspective at the March for Israel rally, which had upwards of 300,000 attendees. Sabrina has gone on to write extensively for GW's student papers defending Israel and spoke at the congressional roundtable with the Department of Homeland Security on anti-Semitism on campus.
- [Kassy Dillon](https://tikvah.org/people/kassy-dillon/): Kassy Dillon is an opinion journalist and political commentator for the Daily Wire who specializes in foreign policy. Prior to joining The Daily Wire, Kassy was the U.S. news editor for Jewish News Syndicate and a video journalist for Fox News Digital. She formerly was the director of digital engagement for Ambassador Nikki Haley’s Stand for America. While a college student, Kassy founded Lone Conservative, a college-student blog that also assists students in launching careers in media. She holds an MPP from the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, specializing in American politics and international relations.
- [Sahar Tartak](https://tikvah.org/people/sahar-tartak/): Since Oct. 7, Sahar Tartak, a Yale sophomore, has written about anti-Jewish hatred at Yale for the Wall Street Journal, Washington Free Beacon, Yale Free Press, and Yale Daily News. She has testified to Congress about her experiences and spoken out on multiple national news outlets. On campus, she not only attends and reports on anti-Jewish programming, but Sahar also supports the Jewish community by planning Challah bakes, cooking Persian Shabbat dinners, and organizing Shabbatons in an effort to bring light into the darkness.
- [Zach Kessel](https://tikvah.org/people/zach-kessel/): Zach Kessel is a William F. Buckley Jr. Fellow in Political Journalism at National Review, a current Tikvah Krauthammer Fellow, and a former Beren Summer Fellow. Since October 7, his work has consisted mainly of reporting on antisemitism on college campuses, first in the form of statements by student organizations excusing, identifying with, and even praising Hamas's attack on Israel, and then on the rallies and associated activities where genocidal rhetoric can be seen on posters and heard in chants. He has appeared on national television and on podcasts to discuss his reporting and the state of higher education in the United States and has participated in panel discussions at universities and at the 2023 Jewish Leadership Conference. He has also maintained an account on National Review's website of the myriad attacks against Jewish people in the West since October 7. Zach can be seen in the forthcoming January issue of National Review's print edition on the origins of contemporary anti-Zionism within Soviet propaganda. In addition to National Review, his writings have appeared in publications including the Dispatch, the Washington Free Beacon, and the Washington Post.
- [Rabbi Noah Greenfield](https://tikvah.org/people/noah-greenfield/): Noah Greenfield is 5+ year veteran of McKinsey & Co. He is a graduate of Yale Law School, a doctoral candidate in Near Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley, and received his ordination from Yeshiva University.
- [Uri Kaufman](https://tikvah.org/people/uri-kaufman/): Uri Kaufman is the author of the newly released Eighteen Days in October: The Yom Kippur War and How It Created the Modern Middle East (St. Martin’s Press), the first history of the Yom Kippur War to be released in twenty years, which draws from never-before-seen declassified documents. He's been published in Foreign Affairs, Mosaic, and The Forward. After putting himself through CUNY’s Queens College at night, he attended New York University School of Law and graduated with honors in 1989. Mr. Kaufman subsequently became a real estate developer, specializing in adaptively restoring historic buildings, winning awards at the national and state level. His Harmony Mills project appears on the homepage of the New York State Historic Preservation Office’s website, hailed by officials as perhaps the finest example of restoring New York’s rich architectural heritage. He lives with his family in Lawrence, New York.
- [Yente Austerlitz](https://tikvah.org/people/yente-austerlitz/): Yente Austerlitz graduated with a masters in the humanities as a member of the inaugural class at Ralston college. She was the first student to receive the Philhellenism award for her passion and commitment to the Greek language. Prior to that, Yente received her masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay college in NY and completed her internship at a NYS maximum security prison. She is curious about the nature of evil, devoted to speak with the ancients in their original language, and keen to continue studying the philosophy of belief and religion. Having taught herself English and ancient Hebrew at a young age, Yente has great respect for books and the written word and seeks to understand the truth in all that is One. She is currently working on a commentary on the fragments of Heraclitus in Ancient Greek as part of a Greek scholar position with Ralston college. While continuing her studies in Ancient Greek, Hebrew, German and Latin, she hopes to pursue a PhD. Yente believes that the key to wisdom is to encounter the ancients with humility and curiosity; her interests in language as philosophy, psychology, religion, Kabbalah and the humanities are the driving forces behind her passion for and analysis of the human psyche—or soul.
- [David Flatto](https://tikvah.org/people/david-flatto/): Professor David Flatto is a professor of law and Jewish philosophy at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He received his B.A. and Ordination from Yeshiva University, his J.D. from Columbia University Law School, and his Ph.D. with distinction from Harvard University’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He has been a visiting professor and lecturer at University of Pennsylvania Law School, New York University Law School and Yeshiva University, and a visiting researcher at Yale Law School and Columbia University Law School. He previously was a professor of law and religion at Penn State University. His wide-ranging research interests include comparative constitutional law and theory, comparative jurisprudence, and Jewish law and philosophy. His works have appeared in numerous scholarly publications including Harvard Theological Review, Yale Journal of Law and Humanities and the Journal of Law and Religion. He recently published The Crown and the Courts: Separation of Powers in the Early Imagination (Harvard University Press, 2020), and co-edited Law as Religion, Religion as Law (Cambridge University Press, 2022).
- [Shaina Trapedo](https://tikvah.org/people/shaina-trapedo/): Shaina Trapedo is an Assistant Professor in English at Stern College and Resident Scholar and Recruitment Officer at the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University. She received her undergraduate degree at Barnard College and her PhD in English from UC Irvine where she specialized in early modern literature and religious studies. Her current book project, From Scripture to Script: The Hebrew Bible on the Early English Stage considers Shakespeare and his contemporaries' indebtedness to Judaism and its exegetical traditions. In her teaching and scholarship, she continues to explore the connections between literacy, cultural identity, and social engagement.
- [Scott Shore](https://tikvah.org/people/scott-shore/): Scott Shore is a lifelong activist for a strong Israel. He was the founder of AIPAC’s Educational and National Outreach Program. Scott is a graduate of Harvard College where his Honor’s Thesis was on Benjamin Disraeli as a Jewish statesman. He was awarded a Fellowship at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom where he received his master’s in international relations and Diplomatic History. He later received an MBA from Columbia University. Scott was a Strategy Consultant at Bain & Company. After consulting, he was appointed to a senior US diplomatic position as the Vice President of US International Development Finance Corporation by President George H.W. Bush. Scott became a dual citizen and moved with his family to Israel as an investment banker. Scott has taught for over 20 years at the high school level in AP Social Studies, as an Instructor for Babson College, Bentley University, and Lynn University teaching Corporate Strategy, Economics, and Jewish History and Middle Eastern politics. Scott currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife and his children in Florida, New Jersey, and Israel.
- [Cobi Nadel](https://tikvah.org/people/cobi-nadel/): Cobi Nadel currently teaches in the Overseas Program at Yeshivat Har Etzion (The Gush). His primary role at Har Etzion is to teach students how to be proficient in reading Talmud and the accompanying commentaries. He has also taught numerous virtual courses on Jewish thought to College students across the globe. Cobi completed the Core Curriculum at Columbia University and has a BA with Honors from Hebrew University where he majored in Philosophy and Jewish Thought. Cobi is in his final year of studies for the Rabbinate and is currently pursuing a Masters in Jewish Philosophy with a focus on Hermeneutics and modern Jewish Theology.
- [David L. Bernstein](https://tikvah.org/people/david-l-bernstein/): David Bernstein is the founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values (JILV), which opposes illiberal ideologies and supports liberal values in and out of the Jewish community, and author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews. He is also a co-founder of the Institute for Liberal Values, a consortium of like-minded organizations supporting liberal principles. He is past President and CEO of Jewish Council for Public Affairs and former executive director of the David Project. He spent 13 years at the American Jewish Committee in senior roles. David is a prolific speaker, podcaster and writer, having written hundreds of opinion pieces in the Jewish and general press.
- [Matthew Levitt](https://tikvah.org/people/matthew-levitt/): Dr. Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy where he directs the Institute's Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Previously, Levitt served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and before that as an FBI counterterrorism analyst, including work on the Millennial and September 11th plots. He also served as a State Department counterterrorism advisor to Gen James L. Jones, the special envoy for Middle East regional security, and earned numerous awards and commendations for his government service. Levitt is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and sits on the advisory boards of several think tanks around the world. Widely published, Levitt is the author of many articles, book chapters, monographs, and books. His most recent book is Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God (Georgetown University Press, 2013) and his latest monograph is Rethinking U.S. Efforts on Counterterrorism: Toward a Sustainable Plan Two Decades After 9/11 (2021). He is also the author of Hamas: Politics, Charity and Terrorism in the Service of Jihad (Yale University Press, 2006). Levitt is the creator of the Lebanese Hezbollah Worldwide Activities interactive map and timeline and the host of the podcast Breaking Hezbollah’s Golden Rule. Dr. Levitt held the Andrew H. Siegel Professorship in American Middle Eastern Foreign Policy, Georgetown University, 2021-2022, and was awarded a Georgetown University Faculty and Staff Career Champion award in 2022.
- [Dore Feith](https://tikvah.org/people/dore-feith/): Dore Feith is a second-year student at Columbia Law School, where he is an editor on the Columbia Business Law Review, a Federalist Society board member, and a student fellow in the law school’s National Security Law Program, researching constitutional war powers and other aspects of law and American grand strategy. Last summer, Dore interned at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Before law school, from 2019-2020, Dore served as a special assistant to the deputy administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also worked on Middle East policy at a private foundation and helped lead a fellowship program on U.S.-China technology competition. Dore has published in the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, Newsweek, RealClearWorld and elsewhere, speaks Hebrew and Arabic, and graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a B.A. in History. After graduation, Dore will clerk for Judge Steven Menashi on the Second Circuit.
- [Benjamin Gottesman](https://tikvah.org/people/benjamin-gottesman/): A Long Island, NY native, Benjamin Gottesman is the associate director of high-school fellowships at Tikvah. This past June, he graduated Yeshiva University with degrees in both Political Science and Jewish Studies. While at YU, Benjamin studied under Rabbi Meir Soloveichik as an undergraduate scholar at Yeshiva's Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought and was a participant in the Jay and Jeannie Schottenstein Honors Program. Benjamin also played a major role in student life, serving as the editor-in-chief of the YU Observer, the school’s student newspaper. In the past, Benjamin has interned at the Kohelet Policy Forum in Jerusalem and in the office of New York State Senator Kevin Parker, but is most proud of his work as a counselor and division head in Bnei Akiva's Camp Moshava and Mach Hach B'aretz. His alma maters include Jerusalem's Yeshivat Hakotel and Long Island's HAFTR High School, where he served as the founding captain of the school's NSDA-affiliated speech and debate team. A student of chassidus, Benjamin's intellectual heroes include Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, Sheur Zalman of Liadi, and Nachman of Breslov.
- [Yaakov Katz](https://tikvah.org/people/yaakov-katz/): Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist and senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column. He is the author of three books - “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel’s Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards - How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War”. His next book – tentatively titled “Precision Strike” – is scheduled for publication by St. Martin’s Press in the Spring of 2025.
- [Richard Goldberg](https://tikvah.org/people/richard-goldberg/): Richard Goldberg is a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. From 2019-2020, Richard served as the Director for Countering Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction for the White House National Security Council. He previously served as chief of staff for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and deputy chief of staff and senior foreign policy adviser to former U.S. Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois in both the U.S. House and Senate.
- [Mark Dubowitz](https://tikvah.org/people/mark-dubowitz/): Mark Dubowitz is executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington D.C., where he leads projects on sanctions, nonproliferation, and countering electronic repression. Mark is an expert on sanctions and has advised the Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden administrations and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, testifying more than twenty times before the U.S. Congress and foreign legislatures. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Foreign Policy, and The Weekly Standard, and appeared on CBS Evening News, CNN, Fox News, NPR, PBS, BBC and CBC. Mark previously worked in venture capital and technology management. He has a masters in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, and law and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto.
- [J.J. Kimche](https://tikvah.org/people/j-j-kimche/): J.J. Kimche is a student, teacher, researcher, editor, ghostwriter, and translator, currently residing in Cambridge, Massachusetts. J.J. is a PhD candidate in the field of modern religious philosophy at Harvard University, where he specialises in the intersection between Modern European philosophy and Post-Enlightenment Jewish thought. His academic essays and translations have been published in both academic and popular venues. J.J. received his undergraduate education at Shalem College, Jerusalem, where he double-majored in Western philosophy and Jewish thought. Prior to that, he spent two years learning in Yeshivat Har Etzion and completed his military service in the 101st Division of the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade. Born into a family of renowned British rabbis and educators, J.J. has been intensely involved in Jewish education for the past twelve years, teaching Jewish ideas to a wide array of audiences across three continents, and in multiple languages. In recent years he has taught Jewish thought at a prominent Yeshivah, Greek philosophy at a pre-army academy, and worked as a Junior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute. J.J. currently serves as the Orthodox educator at MIT Hillel, where he teaches a wide range of Jewish texts.
- [Ricky Maman](https://tikvah.org/people/ricky-maman/): Ricky Maman is a Research Fellow at Kohelet Policy Forum, and the Economic Commentator of Makor Rishon Magazine. She co-founded 'Hador Haba: Parents for Choice in Education' and 'Taharut — The Movement for Freedom in labor'. Ricky holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and filmography from Tel Aviv University, a degree in education and a teaching certificate from Herzog College, and a master's degree in public policy from Hebrew University. She was formerly an academic director at The Tikvah Fund, processes Manager at "Tovanot", and project Manager at the Jewish Statesmanship center.
- [Tamara Berens](https://tikvah.org/people/tamara-berens/): Tamara Berens is the co-director of the Krauthammer Fellowship, the director of Young Professionals programs at Tikvah, and a contributor at Mosaic. She graduated from King’s College London with a BA in War Studies. Tamara worked for CAMERA and conducted research at think-tanks in Westminster, England, and Washington, DC, before beginning one of the inaugural Krauthammer Fellowships, then at Mosaic. Tamara’s writing has appeared in publications in the US, UK, and Israel such as National Review and The Weekly Standard and she has been interviewed by the Telegraph and Makor Rishon.
- [Aliza Adler](https://tikvah.org/people/aliza-adler/): Aliza Adler teaches Tanakh and is the student activities coordinator at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ. She previously taught at Manhattan Day School and served in leadership roles at Yachad summer programs, where her warm spirit, creativity, attention to detail, and investment in students’ experiences have enabled her to develop exciting and effective programming. She holds a bachelor’s in Judaic studies from Stern College.
- [Dr. Caroline Toumazatos](https://tikvah.org/people/caroline-toumazatos/): Dr. Caroline Toumazatos teaches 8th grade Language Arts at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach. She previously taught English Language Arts at public and charter middle schools across New York City. She received her DPhil in English Literature from the University of Oxford, her MA in English from St. John's University (NY), and her MA in Adolescent Education from Hunter College.
- [Gianna Goldfarb](https://tikvah.org/people/gianna-goldfarb/): Gianna Goldfarb is a lifelong devotee of Ancient Greek civilization. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Greek mythology and routinely impresses with her ability to recall the details of classical works. This summer, Gianna will be studying Ancient Greek language in an intensive seven-week course at Harvard University, furthering her goal of studying classics when she begins college. In the fall, Gianna will continue her studies as a junior at the Ramaz Upper School in New York, NY.
- [Frieda Wercberger](https://tikvah.org/people/frieda-wercberger/): Frieda Wercberger teaches second grade at Manhattan Day School and is an adjunct professor of multimedia design at Touro College. As a teacher and graphic designer, Frieda enjoys exploring the connection between curiosity and creativity. Previously, Frieda taught high school Art and worked for New Jersey NCSY. She earned a B.A. in Multimedia Design from Touro College and a master’s in Childhood Education from Hunter College.
- [Miriam Zami](https://tikvah.org/people/miriam-zami/): Ms. Miriam Zami is a PhD student in Talmud and Ancient Jewish History at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Formerly, she served as the Springboard Fellow for the Hillel at Baruch, City, and John Jay Colleges, where she developed curricula and led Jewish programming for hundreds of students across New York City. She is an alumna of Stern College for Women, Midreshet Lindenbaum, and various bet midrash programs including Drisha and the Center for Modern Torah Leadership. Miriam lives in Manhattan with her husband.
- [Dr. Justin Cammy](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-justin-cammy/): Dr. Justin Cammy is professor and chair of the programs in Jewish Studies and World Literatures at Smith College. A specialist in Yiddish literature and eastern European cultural history, he also teaches courses on Hebrew literature and Israeli history. Cammy's publications range from essays on Yiddish writers to scholarly translations of foundational texts to introductions to new editions of works by Yiddish poets and memoirists that open them up to a broad readership. His scholarship on the generation of “when Yiddish was young” challenges post-war myths about Yiddish. Cammy’s recent critical edition and translation of Abraham Sutzkever’s From the Vilna Ghetto to Nuremberg: Memoir and Testimony was awarded the 2022 Leviant Memorial Prize in Yiddish Studies from the Modern Language Association, the Canadian Jewish Literary Award for Yiddish, and the Finestone Prize for the best translation of a book on a Jewish theme from the J.I. Segal Awards. Cammy holds a PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard and a BA in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science from McGill, which included a junior year at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For almost twenty years, he also has been a faculty member at both the Steiner summer program at the Yiddish Book Center and the Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish summer program at Tel Aviv University.
- [Gila Fine](https://tikvah.org/people/gila-fine/): Ms. Gila Fine is a teacher of Aggada at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, exploring the tales of the Talmud through philosophy, literary criticism, psychoanalysis, and pop-culture. She is also a faculty member of the London School of Jewish studies, the Nachshon Project, and Amudim Seminary, and has taught thousands of students at conferences and communities across the Jewish world. Haaretz has called her “a young woman on her way to becoming one of the more outstanding Jewish thinkers of the next generation.”
- [Rabbi Scott Bolton](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-scott-bolton/): Rabbi Scott Bolton serves as the spiritual leader of Congregation Or Zarua on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. He served as head of school for two private day schools, before moving into a congregational position. His work in Jewish educational circles includes evaluating texts and preparing curricula that seek to celebrate and engender cultural identity while promoting understanding regarding the dignity of difference. “Educating everyone, from government officials to youth—tomorrow’s leaders—about how to express and take pride in their own heritages and at the same time dignify their neighbors’ is our tallest order,” said Rabbi Bolton.
- [Ted Goldstein](https://tikvah.org/people/ted-goldstein/): Ted Goldstein is a writer and educator from Los Angeles, California. In 2020, after graduating from Princeton University with a degree in History, he co-founded Pando Tutors, dedicated to providing high-impact tutoring to low-income students. Since then, he has been teaching 4th grade religious school at IKAR Synagogue, as well as English and History at Chofetz Chaim Los Angeles. Ted has been deeply interested in the intersection of Talmudic thought and secular education for a long time, and he’s hoping to launch a new educational enterprise combining the two in the near future.
- [Dr. Alex Green](https://tikvah.org/people/alex-green/): Dr. Alex Green is a professor at SUNY, Buffalo in the department of Jewish Thought. He is an expert on medieval and early modern Jewish philosophy, ethics and the history of biblical interpretation. He is the author of two books: The Virtue Ethics of Levi Gersonides (Palgrave, 2016) and Power and Progress: Joseph Ibn Kaspi and the Meaning of History (SUNY Press, 2019), and numerous articles in peer-reviewed publications and edited collections. He is also co-editing Jewish Virtue Ethics with Geoffrey Claussen and Alan Mittleman which is forthcoming with SUNY Press in 2023.
- [Eric Baxter](https://tikvah.org/people/eric-baxter/): Eric Baxter has served as senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty since 2011. Since then he has represented religious organizations and individuals in a wide array of religious liberty disputes at both the trial and appellate level. His case victories include a Ninth Circuit ruling upholding the “Big Mountain Jesus” statue that has stood on Forest Service land near Kalispell, Montana, for more than sixty years (FFRF v. Weber), and a rare Pentagon decision allowing a Sikh soldier to maintain his full beard and turban while serving in the Army (Singh v. Carter). Eric has extensive experience fighting efforts under state Blaine amendments to exclude religious organizations and individuals from participating on equal terms in the public square. He also regularly advises religious institutions of higher education in defending their religious missions against government encroachment.
- [Tuvia Gering](https://tikvah.org/people/tuvia-gering/): Captain (Res.) Tuvia Gering is a researcher at the Diane & Guilford Glazer Foundation's Israel-China Policy Center, housed at the Institute for National Security Studies. He is also a nonresident fellow in the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub. Previously, he was a research fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS) and the Israeli Chinese Media Center. Gering is the editor and author of Discourse Power on Substack, a newsletter covering leading Chinese perspectives on current affairs, and holds a BA in East Asian studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (summa cum laude) and an MPH in disaster and emergency management from Tel Aviv University (summa cum laude).
- [Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-gavriel-goldfeder/): Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder currently teaches Jewish studies to high-schoolers at Gann Academy outside of Boston. His work with teens also includes an incredible group of private students, both pre- and post-bar mitzvah. His focus on the experiences of Jewish teens and what our tradition can offer them literally keeps him up at night and is the overall focus of his career and lifestyle. Before Gann he worked at MIT Hillel, and before that he was a pulpit rabbi in Boulder, Colorado. He also runs a small independent Jewish publishing house and maintains a rigorous writing schedule. He has not let go of his dream of being a rock star.
- [Daniel Meadvin](https://tikvah.org/people/daniel-meadvin/): Daniel Meadvin is a Senior at Columbia University studying Political Science, with a research interest in legal theory and Free Speech, and an alumnus of the Tikvah Scholars program. Although Political Science is his official focus, he is easily distracted by talk of Computer Science or Linguistics. A journalist at heart, Daniel is Editor-in-Chief of the Columbia Current and an editorial intern at Bari Weiss's The Free Press. In 2020, Daniel founded a private writing tutoring service, Meadvin Essay Consulting, and has worked with dozens of high school and college students since. In his free time, you can find Daniel reading (or more likely rereading) a great book, cooking without a recipe, or playing online chess.
- [Talia Katz](https://tikvah.org/people/talia-katz/): Talia Katz was born in Atlanta, Georgia to a father from Israel and a mother from Brooklyn. She recently graduated the University of Michigan with a degree in public policy and international studies. While at the University of Michigan, Talia was a member of the American Enterprise Institute Executive Council and WeListen, a grassroots organization which aims to bridge the political divide by facilitating respectful political discussions. While living in Washington, D.C. for eight months last year, Talia interned at AIPAC, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. This September, Talia will begin a two-year fellowship program in D.C. with the Public Interest Fellowship. As a Beren Summer Fellow, Talia investigated what the next step should be in strengthening the U.S. — Israel relationship following the Abraham Accords. Talia consulted various commentators, lawyers, policy analysts, and diplomats to create a policy memo for Senator Tom Cotton’s office outlining some policy options his team should consider, given the opportunities opened up for US – Israel relations under the Trump administration.
- [Caroline Bryk](https://tikvah.org/people/caroline-bryk/): Caroline leads Tikvah’s comprehensive Jewish day school portfolio, directing field-wide conferences, retreats, and programming for heads of school and board chairs. She oversees curricular partnerships with day schools across the country who are committed to implementing Tikvah’s distinctive educational vision. In 2021, Caroline founded Tikvah’s Jewish Parents Forum and continues to guide its strategy and national programming. Caroline holds an M.A. in Social and Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, a B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Jewish Education at Yeshiva University.
- [Rabbi Rick Schindelheim](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-rick-schindelheim/): Rick Schindelheim has taught Jewish History, Tanakh, and Talmud at the Fuchs Mizrachi School in Cleveland since 2013. He currently serves as the chair of the Talmud Department and is the Upper School Judaic Studies Coordinator. His informal educational experience includes over a decade of work at Camp Stone in a variety of capacities. After studying in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh in Israel for three years, Rick earned his B.A. in psychology from Yeshiva College and studied at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (REITS). He is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and earned his Masters and Education Specialist degrees at John Carroll University in Cleveland.
- [Nina Taub](https://tikvah.org/people/nina-taub/): Nina Taub is Director of Education at Civic Spirit. Nina’s role includes mentoring teachers to inculcate civics education in their curriculum and school community. She also leads professional development workshops that focus on deepening civic knowledge and skills.
- [Rabbi Dr. Aaron Ross](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-dr-aaron-ross/): Rabbi Dr. Aaron Ross is the Middle School Assistant Principal at Yavneh Academy in Paramus, NJ. He has taught classes in gemara, mishna, chumash, halacha, and tefilla, and has been a driving force in helping to expand the use of alternative forms of student assessment, as well as the integration of technology into the classroom. He has taught Jewish History at Touro University's Graduate School for Education, and has trained and mentored teachers in a variety of pedagogical approaches. Rabbi Dr. Ross holds a doctorate degree from Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School, semicha from Yeshiva University, a master’s degree in Judaic Studies from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania.
- [Tzipora Ross](https://tikvah.org/people/tzipora-ross/): Veteran educator Tzipora Ross is currently the Judaic Studies Coordinator at the Ramaz Middle School, where she has taught for over 25 years. Additionally, she teaches a modern Jewish history course that she designed, along with honors Gemara. Tzipora has been a Hartman Fellow, a graduate of the Yad Vashem Summer Institute, a member of the Rising Leaders Cohort of Prizmah, and a mentor for both the Stern College Legacy Program and the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah New Teacher Program. She also produces a weekly Parsha Aleph Bet series for schools that are used at Shabbat tables around the country. Tzipora graduated cum laude from Barnard College with a degree in European history and completed a Master's Degree in Jewish history. Tzipora lives in Bergenfield, NJ with her husband and fellow Tikvah educator, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Ross, and their five children.
- [Ethan Shire](https://tikvah.org/people/ethan-shire/): Ethan Shire is a third-generation New York Yankees fan who has maintained an interest in the confluence of American Jewish history and baseball since his youth. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in 2019 where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, Ethan worked for CMA Strategy Consulting (now part of EY-Parthenon) where he supported investment strategies across the tech and telecommunications space. Ethan currently lives in New York City and is an Associate Program Manager at a private foundation.
- [Cole Aronson](https://tikvah.org/people/cole-aronson/): Cole Aronson is a writer living in Jerusalem, Israel. He’s published essays in the Jewish Review of Books, First Things, Tablet, The Point, Public Discourse, and Common Sense (now The Free Press), as well as in the Journal of Analytic Theology. He’s also working on a book-length defense of traditional Judaism. After graduating from Yale College in 2018 with a B.A. in philosophy, he spent four years at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shevut, Israel. He’s also studying towards an M.A. in philosophy at Hebrew University.
- [Jeffrey Bloom](https://tikvah.org/people/jeffrey-bloom/): Jeffrey Bloom is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the co-editor of Strauss, Spinoza & Sinai: Orthodox Judaism and Modern Questions of Faith (Kodesh Press 2022). After college, he studied at a number of yeshivot in Israel including Machon Shlomo and the Mir and now lives with his wife and four children in Clifton, New Jersey. He works as an analyst at a hedge fund and has been published in Mosaic, Commentary, and the New Criterion. He recently spoke at the University of Chicago on the topic of maintaining the "life of the mind" outside of the university.
- [Joshua Leavitt](https://tikvah.org/people/joshua-leavitt/): Joshua Leavitt cultivated a passion for literary study and philosophical conversation at the Bronx High School of Science and the University of Chicago, then received a PhD in American literature at Ohio State University. He has created meaningful learning experiences for middle school, high school, college, and continuing education students on subjects ranging from the history of detective fiction to Jewish American historical fiction and beyond. Presently, he helps create intellectual and regional engagement opportunities for University of Chicago alumni in Chicago, IL.
- [Dr. Moshe Krakowski](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-moshe-krakowski/): Dr. Moshe Krakowski is a professor at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education at Yeshiva University where he directs the doctoral program. Dr. Krakowski has a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, a PhD in the Learning Sciences from Northwestern University, and prior to joining the faculty at Azrieli spent two years as a post-doctoral scholar in the psychology department at University of Chicago. Dr. Krakowski studies American Haredi education and culture, focusing on the relationship between communal worldview, identity, and education. He also works on curriculum, cognition, and inquiry learning in Jewish educational settings.
- [Elliot Kaufman](https://tikvah.org/people/elliot-kaufman/): Elliot Kaufman is the Editor of The Wall Street Journal's letter page from start to finish. For nearly three years before that, he edited opinion articles for the Journal. In the past he's worked for the Stanford alumni magazine, National Review and the Stanford Men's Basketball Team. In addition to the WSJ, Stanford Mag and NR, his writing has appeared in Commentary, Modern Age and the Jewish Review of Books.
- [Dr. Ronen Shoval](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-ronen-shoval/): Dr. Ronen Shoval is Dean of the Argaman Institute and a scholar of political philosophy. Dr. Shoval is also a columnist, founder of the Im Tirtzu movement, and former Chairman of the Professors for Political and Economic Strength. He also founded the hi-tech company Blink where he presently serves as CEO. He is volunteer Public Chairman of the Uri Tzvi Greenberg Heritage House.
- [Jonathan Schanzer](https://tikvah.org/people/jonathan-schanzer/): Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the work of the organization’s experts and scholars. He is also on the leadership team of FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power, a project on the use of financial and economic power as a tool of statecraft. Jonathan previously worked as a terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he played an integral role in the designation of numerous terrorist financiers. He has held previous think tank research positions at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Middle East Forum.
- [Ran Bar-Yoshafat](https://tikvah.org/people/ran-bar-yoshafat/): Attorney Ran Bar-Yoshafat is the Deputy Director of the Kohelet Policy Forum.
- [Haviv Gur](https://tikvah.org/people/haviv-gur/): Haviv Gur is a veteran Israeli journalist who serves as senior analyst for The Times of Israel. He has covered Israel's politics, foreign policy and relationship with the Jewish diaspora since 2005. He has reported from over 20 countries and is fluent in Hebrew and English. He served as director of communications for the Jewish Agency for Israel, the country’s largest NGO.
- [Matti Friedman](https://tikvah.org/people/matti-friedman/): Matti Friedman is an award-winning journalist and author. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Tablet, Smithsonian, and elsewhere.
- [Staci Zeif](https://tikvah.org/people/staci-zeif/): Staci Zeif is the Middle School Language Arts Chair at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (JKHA) in Livingston, New Jersey, where she also teaches sixth and seventh grade Language Arts and Advisory. Staci is passionate about engaging her students in literature that resonates with them while broadening their perspective and enhancing their world view. Through her classes, she fosters cross-curricular connections and encourages students to relate the material to their personal lives, their communities, history, and the world. Staci believes that literature positively shapes one’s moral character, building empathy and self-awareness. Staci received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and holds a Masters in Education from Lehman College. She lives in West Orange, NJ with her family.
- [Dr. Nick Curry ](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-nick-curry/): Dr. Nick Curry has taught a wide range of courses on philosophy, religion, literature, and music at many colleges across the midwest, including in the Asian Classics program at the University of Chicago, in the philosophy department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and in the Interdisciplinary Humanities department at the University of Louisville. He holds an M.A. in Eastern Classics from St. John's College, Santa Fe, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
- [ Dr. Ruth Martin Curry](https://tikvah.org/people/dr-ruth-curry/): Dr. Ruth Curry is a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Center for Civic Engagement, where she strives to make higher education more civic-minded. She's taught college courses connecting humanistic study and civic engagement to both traditional and non-traditional students. She studied philosophy and literature at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, where she received her PhD in Comparative Literary Studies.
- [Carrie Filipetti](https://tikvah.org/people/carrie-filipetti/): Carrie Filipetti currently serves as the executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition. Prior to this role, Carrie served as deputy assistant secretary for Cuba and Venezuela in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and the deputy special representative for Venezuela at the U.S. Department of State, for which she received a Superior Honor Award. From 2019-2020, Carrie served as the senior advisor to the Havana Incidents Task Force, where she was responsible for coordinating an inter-agency effort to address the causes of unexplained health incidents affecting U.S. personnel, and identifying proper long-term care mechanisms. Prior to these roles, Carrie served as a senior policy advisor for the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN), where she advised U.S. Ambassador Nikki R. Haley on issues related to counterterrorism, the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere. Carrie began her career at The Paul E. Singer Foundation, where she served as director of portfolio management. In her capacity as director of the foundation, Carrie served as a senior advisor and co-founder of Start-Up Nation Central, a Tel-Aviv based non-profit that seeks to connect the world with Israeli innovation.
- [Michael Weingrad](https://tikvah.org/people/michael-weingrad/): Michael Weingrad is a Professor of Judaic Studies at Portland University and he is a regular contributor to the Jewish Review of Books and Mosaic magazine. He is the author of American Hebrew Literature: Writing Jewish National Identity in the United States and the editor and translator of Letters to America: Selected Poems of Reuven Ben-Yosef. His essays and reviews, on topics ranging from Israeli fantasy and science fiction to the Jews of Baghdad, have appeared in the Jewish Review of Books, Mosaic, and a range of other magazines and scholarly journals. He has been a Fulbright Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Montague Burton Fellow in Jewish Studies at the University of Leeds, and a Harry Starr Fellow at the Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard.
- [Mariam Wahba](https://tikvah.org/people/mariam-wahba/): Mariam Wahba is the Associate Director of Advocacy with the Philos Project. Mariam graduated from Fordham University with a BA in Middle East studies, Arabic, and Jewish studies. She was the Policy Intern at In Defense of Christians, a Hertog Political Science Fellow, and a Tikvah Fund Journalism Fellow. Her interests include Middle East Foreign Policy, Religious Freedom and Plurality, and Israeli-Arab relations.
- [Hussein Aboubakr Mansour](https://tikvah.org/people/hussein-mansour/): Hussein Aboubakr Mansour is the director of the Endowment for Middle East Truth's Program for Emerging Democratic Voices from the Middle East. Hussein was born in Cairo, Egypt into a family who raised another son to be an imam inspiring young people to become Jihadists. His critical intellect led him to find out more about Israel and Jews and to forge friendships with Israelis. Hussein received political asylum in the United States under President Barack Obama in 2012 and worked as an instructor for language and culture at the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, California. He then went on to work as an educator and public speaker for StandWithUs, educating students about cultural and geopolitical issues in the Middle East and helping them counter anti-Semitism. Hussein wrote an autobiography, Minority of One: The Unchaining of the Arab Mind, and his articles have appeared in Commentary, Newsweek, the Jewish Journal, JNS.org, Times of Israel, and Mosaic.
- [Maxwell Rotbart](https://tikvah.org/people/maxwell-rotbart/): Maxwell Rotbart, a passionate advocate for Jewish and Israel education, was an inaugural member of The Tikvah Fund’s Abraham Lincoln Teachers Fellowship and Lobel Teachers Colloquium. He is the prize-winning author of "All You Can Eat Business Wisdom," a leadership guide for entrepreneurs. He is also the author of “The State of Israel: Prime Ministers,” which serves as an introduction for middle school students to Israeli history. He spent a decade teaching middle and high school social studies at Denver Academy of Torah and currently serves as the education director at the Golda Meir House Museum. While completing his Master’s degree in history at the University of Nebraska, he is working on two additional books — one pertaining to Jewish history and the other to Jewish education.
- [Ariel Levenson](https://tikvah.org/people/ariel-levenson/): Ariel Horn Levenson is the Middle School principal at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (JKHA) in Livingston, New Jersey, where she also teaches American history. In her ten years at JKHA, she pioneered the school's Mentoring Program, built the middle school advisory program, and spearheaded the school's NJAIS Accreditation Self-Study committee. Prior to her tenure at JKHA, she was the Middle School English Chair at The Dalton School in New York City. In addition to her love of teaching, Ariel is also a writer who published her first novel with HarperCollins in 2004 and her first children's book with Macmillan in 2020. As a teacher, she strives to push herself outside her comfort zone, re-inventing curriculum and collaborating with her colleagues to elevate the level of academic discourse. Ariel earned her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and her M.A. from NYU. She lives in Livingston, NJ with her husband and three children.
- [Elan Carr](https://tikvah.org/people/elan-carr/): With extensive experience as a senior U.S. diplomat, criminal prosecutor, military officer, and community leader, Elan Carr provides an influential voice on key policy matters affecting America and the world today.  He serves as a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a teaching fellow at the University of Southern California, and a member of several for-profit and non-profit boards of directors.
- [Kennedy Lee](https://tikvah.org/people/kennedy-lee/): Kennedy Lee is a Public Interest Fellow. Previously, Kennedy directed the campus outreach program and was a research associate at the Institute on Religion and Democracy. She holds a BA in Russian Language & Civilization and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and she formerly studied in St. Petersburg, Russia and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Kennedy has participated in various Tikvah Fund programs and focused her summer fellowship research on increasing ties between Israel and Central and Eastern European countries. Her writings can be seen in outlets such as Deseret, Providence, and New Eastern Europe. Kennedy is a native of Fennimore, Wisconsin.
- [Rabbi Yigal Sklarin](https://tikvah.org/people/rabbi-yigal-sklarin/): Rabbi Yigal Sklarin is the associate principal at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School. Before joining the Yeshivah of Flatbush, Rabbi Sklarin had a 13-year tenure at the Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein Upper School of Ramaz where he held multiple positions, most recently senior grade dean and director of interdisciplinary programs. Rabbi Sklarin is a graduate of Yeshiva University where he graduated Yeshiva College with honors, received semikhah from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, participated in the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon, and earned a Master’s in Modern Jewish History from the Bernard Revel School of Jewish Studies. Rabbi Sklarin has interned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Israel Museum. Rabbi Sklarin lives with his wife Tami and their children in Teaneck, NJ.
- [Daniel J. Samet](https://tikvah.org/people/daniel-j-samet/): Daniel J. Samet is a Ph.D. student in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is a Graduate Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security. He researches U.S. foreign policy with a focus on relations with the Middle East. Daniel previously worked at the Atlantic Council and the National Endowment for Democracy. He holds a B.A. magna cum laude in History and French from Davidson College, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and competed in cross country and track & field, and an M.A. in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Daniel’s writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the National Interest, Foreign Policy, and National Review Online, among others. He speaks French and some Hebrew and Arabic.

## Tikvah Online
- [<em>Henrietta Szold: Hadassah and the Zionist Dream </em><br />by Francine Klagsbrun](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/henrietta-szold-hadassah-and-the-zionist-dream-fall-2025/): This course offers an in‑depth study of Henrietta Szold through the lens of Francine Klagsbrun’s biography Henrietta Szold: Hadassah and the Zionist Dream. Szold (1860‑1945) emerges not just as the founder of Hadassah, but as a complex leader, intellectual, and moral actor who grappled with the challenges of her time: gender norms, immigration, Zionism, colonialism, religious identity, and humanitarian rescue. Using Klagsbrun’s narrative—drawn from Szold’s letters, diaries, essays, and archival sources—students will examine both her public achievements (in health, education, youth rescue via Youth Aliyah, institution building) and inner life
- [<em>Emma Lazarus</em><br />by Esther Schor](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/emma-lazarus-fall-2025/): This course uses Esther Schor’s Emma Lazarus to explore the life of the pioneering Jewish-American poet whose famous words—"Give me your tired, your poor..."—have become a symbol of the American promise. But behind the iconic lines stands a complex thinker who championed Jewish pride, national revival, and the responsibilities of citizenship in a free society. The course will invite discussion on how a strong sense of particular identity can coexist with patriotic commitment and how moral clarity and national purpose can reinforce one another.
- [<em>My Early Life: 1874-1904</em><br />by Winston Churchill](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/my-early-life-1874-1904-fall-2025/): My Early Life by Winston Churchill is a vivid memoir covering the formative years of one of the 20th century’s most iconic leaders. Written with Churchill’s trademark wit and flair, the book traces his childhood, education, early military service, and adventures as a war correspondent and soldier in British imperial campaigns across Cuba, India, Sudan, and South Africa. More than just a personal history, the book offers insight into the values, ambitions, and worldview that shaped Churchill’s later leadership. Rich in character and conviction, My Early Life is both a coming-of-age story and a window into the making of a statesman.
- [<em>Stan Lee: A Life in Comics</em><br />by Liel Leibovitz](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/stan-lee-a-life-in-comics-fall-2025/): This course explores the life and cultural impact of Stan Lee—born Stanley Lieber—the Jewish-American writer who transformed comic books into a modern mythology. Using Liel Leibovitz’s Stan Lee: A Life in Comics as our guide, we’ll examine how Lee’s Jewish heritage and immigrant background shaped his storytelling, values, and vision of heroism. From Spider-Man’s moral struggle to the X-Men’s fight against prejudice, Lee’s characters reflected timeless Jewish themes: justice, resilience, identity, and the tension between assimilation and distinctiveness. The course will also consider the broader role of Jewish creators in the comic book industry and how their work helped forge a uniquely American form of popular narrative in the 20th century.
- [<em>When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan</em><br />by Peggy Noonan](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/when-character-was-king-a-story-of-ronald-reagan-fall-2025/): This course centers on Peggy Noonan’s When Character Was King, an insightful biography of Ronald Reagan that goes beyond politics to examine the moral and intellectual foundations of one of America’s most consequential presidents. Through Noonan’s intimate portrait, students will explore how Reagan’s character—his decency, optimism, patriotism, and unwavering belief in freedom—shaped both his leadership and the conservative movement he helped define.
- [<em>Jabotinsky: A Life</em><br />by Hillel Halkin](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jabotinsky-a-life-fall-2025/): This course offers an in-depth study of Jabotinsky by Hillel Halkin, a compelling biography of Ze’ev Jabotinsky—writer, soldier, and political visionary—who helped shape modern Zionism and the foundation of the State of Israel. Through Halkin’s vivid narrative, students will explore Jabotinsky’s passionate defense of Jewish self-determination, his unapologetic belief in national pride and cultural revival, and his insistence that liberty and strength must go hand in hand. A classical liberal and ardent defender of Western civilization, Jabotinsky’s life provides a framework for understanding how rooted tradition and modern freedom can thrive.
- [<em>Alexander Hamilton, American</em><br />by Richard Brookhiser](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/alexander-hamilton-american-fall-2025/): This course explores the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton through Alexander Hamilton, American by Richard Brookhiser—a biography that presents Hamilton as a visionary statesman, economic thinker, and defender of constitutional government. Born into poverty, Hamilton rose by merit and conviction to become a chief author of The Federalist Papers, the nation’s first Treasury Secretary, and a driving force behind America's founding institutions. Brookhiser’s work highlights Hamilton’s enduring belief in strong national leadership, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law—principles vital to the American experiment. Students will examine Hamilton’s ideas and actions within the context of the Founding era and consider their relevance to contemporary debates about government, liberty, and national identity.
- [<em>Sacred Time</em><br />by Rabbi Meir Soloveichik<hr /><small>Offered on:<br />·  July 22, 23 & 24 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 19, 20 & 21 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 26, 27 & 28 | 8:00–9:15 PM ET</small>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/sarcred-time-summer-2025/): What makes time “sacred”? In this course, we will study key chapters from Sacred Time, where Rabbi Meir Soloveichik explores how the Jewish calendar shapes not only the rhythm of life but also our understanding of history, identity, and God. Through reflections on Shabbat, holidays, and historical anniversaries, Rabbi Soloveichik shows how Jewish timekeeping connects the present with the past and future, turning memory into meaning. Together, we will consider how time can be sanctified, and how living in “Jewish time” offers a countercultural perspective on what truly matters.
- [<em>And None Shall Make Them Afraid</em><br />by Rich Richman<hr /><small>Offered on:<br />·  July 21, 22 & 23 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  July 29, 30 & 31 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 18, 19 & 20 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 25, 26 & 27 | 9:00–10:15 PM ET</small>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/none-afraid-summer-2025/): Rather than telling the story of the state of Israel through waves of migrations, wars, or diplomacy, this course will focus on some of its outstanding figures, using Rick Richman’s book And None Shall Make Them Afraid as its guide. This work presents the stories of eight historic personalities—four from Europe (Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, Vladimir Jabotinsky, and Abba Eban) and four from America (Louis D. Brandeis, Golda Meir, Ben Hecht, and Ron Dermer). Their stories reflect the cultural, intellectual, and social revolutions they lived through, and from which modern Zionism emerged. The lives of these outstanding individuals are central to understanding the miraculous recovery of the Jewish people in the 20th century. Taken together, they recount both a people’s return to its place among the nations and the impact on history that a single individual can make.
- [<em>Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass</em><br />by Frederick Douglass<hr /><small>Offered on:<br />·  July 21, 22 & 23 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 18, 19 & 20 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET</small>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/narrative-douglass-summer-2025/): In this powerful autobiographical account, Frederick Douglass recounts his journey from slavery to freedom—and from silence to eloquence. In our seminar, we will explore how Douglass uses storytelling not only to describe his own experiences, but also to expose the moral contradictions of slavery and call for its abolition. We will examine themes of literacy, identity, resistance, and transformation, asking what it takes to reclaim one’s humanity in a society determined to deny it. Along the way, students will consider the relationship between freedom and self-expression, and how the act of telling one's story can become an act of defiance and hope.
- [<em>A Letter in the Scroll</em><br />by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks<hr /><small>Offered on:<br />·  July 15, 16 & 17 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 11, 12 & 13 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET</small>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/letter-scroll-summer-2025/): In his seminal book A Letter in the Scroll, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”tl sets out a comprehensive presentation of his philosophy of Judaism. Written originally as a wedding gift to his son and daughter-in-law, it addresses the core questions of Jewish identity: How, in the face of such adversity, has Judaism remained and flourished, making a mark on human history out of all proportion to its numbers? What are the revolutionary philosophical and theological ideas Judaism has brought to the world? Are these ideas still relevant and compelling in our contemporary age? In short, Rabbi Sacks seeks to answers the question “Why be Jewish?” In this course, we will explore the major themes of this book, so we too can answer this question ourselves.
- [<em>The Letters of Jonathan Netanyahu</em><br />by Jonathan Netanyahu<hr /><small>Offered on:<br />·  July 14, 15 & 16 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  July 28, 29 & 30 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 25, 26 & 27 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET</small>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/letters-netanyahu-summer-2025/): Through his personal letters—written to family, friends, and comrades—we gain a moving and intimate portrait of Jonathan Netanyahu: a soldier, scholar, leader, and idealist. In this seminar, we will read and discuss selected letters that reveal his evolving views on duty, identity, love of country, and the meaning of sacrifice. Against the backdrop of Israel’s early years and the conflicts that shaped it, we will ask: What can one life teach us about courage, responsibility, and conviction? And how can the written word preserve a legacy of purpose that still resonates today?
- [<em>The Call of the Wild</em><br />by Jack London<hr /><small>Offered on:<br />·  July 14, 15 & 16 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET<br />·  Aug. 25, 26 & 27 | 6:30–7:45 PM ET </small>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/call-of-the-wild-summer-2025/): As Jack London’s Buck is transformed from a tame and contented dog into a creature of the wild, we will trace both the changing circumstances and the choices that drove that transformation. What does it mean to be courageous in the face of adversity? How can unexpected and challenging environments reveal parts of ourselves that we did not know were there? These are some of the questions we will address in this journey through the frozen wild; along the way, we will also consider how courage may be expressed differently in different social environments. As we examine Buck’s ever-changing relationship with the humans around him, we will also explore the differences between courage and dominance, and the ways that both may be tempered and transformed by love.
- [<strong>George Orwell’s <em>Animal Farm</em> – Option 2</strong><br />Wednesdays | 7:30–8:45 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/george-orwells-animal-farm-2-fall-2024/): In this course, we will read Animal Farm by George Orwell. Animal Farm is a simple story about farm animals who rebel against their farmer in a failed attempt to create a better society. It is also a profound criticism of Joseph Stalin and 20th century Russia. We will spend five sessions carefully reading the book and discussing what motivated the animals, where they went wrong, and what the farmer could have done better. Animal Farm is a rare book. You can first read in middle school and spend the rest of your life thinking about it.
- [<strong>Judaism and Artificial Intelligence: Coexistence or Conflict?</strong><br />Mondays | 7:30–8:45 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/judaism-and-artificial-intelligence-coexistence-or-conflict/): In this course, students will explore the intersection of Judaism and artificial intelligence, examining how Jewish values and ethics can guide our understanding of emerging technologies. Through discussions and case studies, we will delve into questions of morality, responsibility, and the potential impact of AI on society. Together, we will determine whether Judaism and AI can co-exist harmoniously or if they are destined for conflict.
- [<strong>Friends and Enemies in the Book of Samuel</strong><br />Wednesdays | 8-9:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/friends-and-enemies-in-the-book-of-samuel/): The Book of Samuel tells the story of our people. It holds in it stories of love, betrayal, covenant, strategy, and failed and redemptive leadership. In this class we will spend five sessions analyzing these themes. We will focus on the questions of commitment and covenant: to whom are we obligated and how? Students will be expected to read Samuel I in preparation for this course.
- [<strong>Defining a Nation: The Story of America’s Principles</strong><br />Mondays | 8–9:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/defining-a-nation-the-story-of-americas-principles/): This course explores the roots of American exceptionalism, beginning in 17th-century British North America. We will trace key exceptionalist ideas through the Revolutionary period, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the twentieth-century Civil Rights Movement, examining how these events shaped and challenged the notion of America’s unique destiny.
- [<strong>The True Meaning of Hanukkah</strong><br />Tuesdays | 7–8:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-true-meaning-of-hanukkah/): “The True Meaning of Hanukkah”: The Hanukkah story has become a symbol of Jewish resistance against a foreign culture, but was that always the story? In this course, we will explore the ancient foundations and modern resonances of the holiday of Hanukkah. With readings from the Book of Maccabees, Josephus, and the Talmud, through modern interpretations in literature, art, and politics, we will uncover how the meaning of Hanukkah has shifted over time and developed into a cultural fixture for both Zionism and Diaspora Jewry.
- [<strong>The Tales of Rabbi Nachman: Character and Destiny</strong><br />Mondays | 7–8:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-tales-of-rabbi-nachman-character-and-destiny/): In this course, we’ll explore the age-old question: “Are we products of our upbringing, or is there something deeper within us like our soul, destiny, or genetics that shapes who we are?” Through Rebbe Nachman’s story, “The Sons Who Were Switched,” we follow the intertwined lives of two boys, one born to a queen and the other to a servant, as they grapple with their conscience, make crucial decisions, and unearth surprising discoveries about themselves. This journey will prompt us to reflect on our own identities, why it matters, and how understanding ourselves contributes to a world in need of fixing. Join us in this thought-provoking exploration of character, destiny, and self-discovery.
- [<strong>Modern Israeli Literature</strong><br />Sundays | 11 AM–12:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/modern-israeli-literature/): In this course we will study examples of modern Hebrew literature in order to form a deeper understanding of the State of Israel and the opportunities and challenges it faces. We will read and analyze select short works of fiction and poetry by S.Y. Agnon, Haim Hazzaz, Yehudah Amichai and Naomi Shemer. We will also read some contemporary literary responses to the events of October 7th. In thinking about these texts, we will pay attention to certain recurring themes: the relationship between Israel and diaspora, the role traditional Judaism should play in modern Israeli identity, and the way in which Hebrew literature in particular plays an important role in advancing the goals of Zionism.
- [<strong>Jews at the O.K. Corral and Throughout the Wild West</strong><br />Mondays | 8–9:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jews-at-the-o-k-corral-and-throughout-the-wild-west/): When we think of Jewish life in the 19th-century United States, what usually comes to mind is Ellis Island and the crowded tenements of the Lower East Side. But thousands of miles away, Jews were carving a name for themselves in the wild American West. Living among cowboys and Indians, Jewish people found themselves in some of the era’s most notorious locations — including Tombstone, Arizona, home to the infamous O.K. Corral.
- [<strong>The Life of the Beloved and Reviled Golda Meir</strong><br />Wednesdays | 7:30–8:45 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-life-of-the-beloved-and-reviled-golda-meir/): Embraced abroad, yet hated at home, Golda Meir is one of Israel’s most controversial and influential prime ministers. A feminist icon who rejected feminism, her legacy is one of contradictions and touches on some of the most contentious issues that Israeli and Diaspora Zionism face today. How can Golda Meir’s story better inform us about our present political moment?
- [Peace Through Strength:<br />How Democracy Endures](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/peace-through-strength/)
- [Anti-Semitism:<br />The Ideology of Jew Hatred](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/anti-semitism/)
- [The Worst Pogroms in Jewish History – and How Jews Responded](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-worst-pogroms-in-jewish-history/)
- [Three Jewish Heroes:<br />Herzl, Brandeis, and Eban](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/three-jewish-heroes/)
- [Jewish Faith in Dark Times](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-faith-in-dark-times/)
- [Peace:<br />A Jewish Aspiration and Ideal](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/peace-a-jewish-aspiration-and-ideal/)
- [The War of 1948:<br />The Founding of Israel](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-war-of-1948/)
- [Martyrdom and Heroism:<br />A Jewish Reflection](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/martyrdom-and-heroism/)
- [The Gaza Strip:<br />Past, Present, Future](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-gaza-strip/)
- [The Problem of Evil:<br />A Jewish Reflection](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-problem-of-evil/)
- [Urban Warfare: Strategy and Tactics](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/urban-warfare/): Photo by Israel Defense Forces / CC BY-SA 2.0
- [American Jews: <br />What is Our Duty?](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/american-jews/)
- [Holy Land:<br />The Bible’s Vision of Zion](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/holy-land/)
- [Arab Terrorism and the Jewish Iron Wall](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/arab-terrorism-and-the-jewish-iron-wall/)
- [America’s Role in the Middle East](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/americas-role-in-the-middle-east/)
- [Great Zionist Leaders:<br />Menachem Begin](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/great-zionist-leaders-menachem-begin/)
- [The Jewish Warrior:<br />Ancient and Modern ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-jewish-warrior/)
- [The Arab-Israel Relationship:<br />Past, Present, Future](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-arab-israel-relationship/)
- [What Is Iran’s Strategy?](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/what-is-irans-strategy/)
- [War Speeches:<br />How Words Can Rally a Nation](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/war-speeches/)
- [The Yom Kippur War in 1973:<br />Lessons for Today](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-yom-kippur-war/)
- [Jewish Prayer in a Time of War](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-prayer-in-a-time-of-war/)
- [Left, Right, and Israel:<br />A Political Overview](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/left-right-and-israel/)
- [The Jewish Ethics of War](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-jewish-ethics-of-war/)
- [Israeli Missile Defense:<br />An Overview](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/israeli-missile-defense/)
- [Jewish Poetry in Dark Times](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-poetry-in-dark-times/)
- [Moral Clarity in a Time of War](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/moral-clarity-in-a-time-of-war/)
- [The UN & Israel:<br / >A Brief History](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-un-and-israel/)
- [Great Zionist Leaders:<br />David Ben Gurion](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/great-zionist-leaders-ben-gurion/)
- [Israel and the American Presidency](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/israel-and-the-american-presidency/)
- [The Spirit of Israeli Innovation-<br />And Why It Matters](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-spirit-of-israeli-innovation/)
- [Why Is Israel Hated on Campus?<br />Three Big Falsehoods](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/why-is-israel-hated-on-campus/)
- [King David: <br />Lessons in Leadership](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/king-david/)
- [Why We Fight:<br />The Principles of the Israeli Declaration of Independence](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/why-we-fight/)
- [Hamas:<br />Its Origins and Ideology](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/hamas-its-origins-and-ideology/)
- [Rabbi Nachman Stories:<br />Switched at Birth](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/rabbi-nachman-stories-switched-at-birth/): In this course, we'll explore the age-old question: "Are we products of our upbringing, or is there something deeper within us like our soul, destiny, or genetics that shapes who we are?" Through Rebbe Nachman's story, "The Sons Who Were Switched," we follow the intertwined lives of two boys, one born to a queen and the other to a servant, as they grapple with their conscience, make crucial decisions, and unearth surprising discoveries about themselves. This journey will prompt us to reflect on our own identities, why it matters, and how understanding ourselves contributes to a world in need of fixing. Join us in this thought-provoking exploration of character, destiny, and self-discovery.
- [Right, Left, and Center: How to Argue Politics](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/right-left-and-center-how-to-argue-politics/): The U.S. is perhaps more polarized than it has been since the American Civil War. There are plenty of indicators suggesting this is true—political disagreements, religious affiliations, and class identity. The polarization extends into our own personal lives as well—from conversations with your uncle at Thanksgiving, and even to your choice in music and social media platforms. This course will examine the sources of this polarization—focusing on the history of the disputes—and potential resolutions. What institutions have Americans invented to work around our disagreements so that we can all aspire toward the ideals instilled in our nation since its founding?
- [<strong>The Hebrew Bible’s Ancient Avengers</strong><br />Sundays | 10–11:15 AM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-hebrew-bibles-ancient-avengers/): Long before Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Batman and the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Hebrew Bible’s Ancient Avengers were inspiring Americans. Ripped from the pages of Tanakh, the figures of Samson, Esther, Elijah, David and Daniel served as spiritual sustenance to freedom fighters, politicians, and pundits striving to see the United States live up to its founding ideals. In this course we will examine how these Jewish heroes shaped the American story from its founding era to today.
- [<strong>How Archeology Adds a Third Dimension to the Bible</strong><br />Sundays | 10–11:15 AM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/how-archeology-adds-a-third-dimension-to-the-bible/): Since biblical archeology first became a serious scientific subject in the middle of the nineteenth century, it has been the focus of intense debate. The nineteenth century was an age of skepticism where traditional beliefs were seriously challenged and questioned. Charles Darwin was a symbol of this age. His “Origin of the Species,” questioned the biblical version of the creation of mankind. One of the main goals of the early biblical archeologists was to prove the truth of the Bible by finding physical remains from the period in question. Their aim was to vindicate the Bible as history. This type of archeology received a boost from the rise of Zionism in Israel. Archeology is an important tool in strengthening the bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Archaeology contributes greatly to an understanding of and an appreciation of Tanakh (Bible). Standing before archaeological finds from the period is a powerful and moving experience. Archaeological research influences and deepens our understanding of and appreciation of the Tanakh. This course will examine the Bible with independent archeological evidence. We will add archeological, which includes contemporaneous epigraphical, evidence to emphasize and enrich our understanding of the primary biblical text. We will be examining world-famous artifacts from the field of biblical archeology which enrich our understanding of the eternal Book of Books.”
- [The Moral Meaning of Money](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-moral-meaning-of-money-fall-2023/): What is the role of money and wealth in our lives? In this course, we will think about the moral meaning of money with the help of sources both ancient and modern, from the Bible and Talmud to Adam Smith and Milton Friedman. The ancient Greeks and Jews were wary of wealth and its potential for moral corruption, whereas modern capitalist thinkers often tie prosperity positively to virtue and progress. How can we account for this apparent disagreement? How do we assess capitalism’s miraculous advances and its attendant potential vices? These questions do not have easy or simple answers, but through our readings and discussions we will come to understand different conceptions of wealth and the role it plays in private lives and public order.
- [Women of Valor:<br />Inspiring STRENGTH and RESILIENCE](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/women-of-valor-inspiring-strength-and-resilience-summer-2024/): In this course we will learn about the lives and contributions of three heroic women who served the Jewish people in different and outstanding ways: girls’-education pioneer Sarah Schenirer, poet and paratrooper Hannah Senesh, singer and composer Naomi Shemer and Prime Minister Golda Meir. Through reading their own writings, we will explore their historical contexts and the challenges they faced, and seek insight into their respective thought processes and passions. We will also examine the impact of their resilience and fortitude on the Jewish people and the world at large. Along the way, we will also explore the questions of what heroism looks like, and how we too might demonstrate bravery to meet the challenges of our own time.
- [Religion and the First Amendment](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/religion-and-the-first-amendment-fall-2023/): Is the separation of church and state part of our law? If so, what does "separation" mean? If not, how should religious Americans bring their faith to the public square? In this course, we will examine competing views of the proper relationship between religion and American public life, from our nation's founding until today. Through excerpts from political philosophers, Supreme Court cases, and contemporary scholars, we will try to weigh the costs and benefits of the various approaches to answering the persistent questions raised by our First Amendment's Free Exercise and Establishment clauses.
- [Introduction to Philosophy:<br />Plato’s <em>Apology</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/introduction-to-philosophy-platos-apology-2/): An unexamined life is not worth living for a human being. With these defiant words spoken at his trial, Socrates summed up how he thought it best to live one's life and why he would rather die than give up philosophizing. But what exactly is an examined life? And are there really no other ways of life that we would consider worthy? In this five-session course, students will be introduced to the activity of philosophy and why the citizens of Athens decided to kill Socrates for engaging in it. Through close reading and thoughtful discussion, we will probe a range of questions about wisdom, politics, and human happiness in order to consider for ourselves whether Socrates was right about how to live a properly human life or whether we, too, would have voted to put him to death.
- [Introduction to Philosophy:<br />Plato’s <em>Apology</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/introduction-to-philosophy-platos-apology/): An unexamined life is not worth living for a human being. With these defiant words spoken at his trial, Socrates summed up how he thought it best to live one's life and why he would rather die than give up philosophizing. But what exactly is an examined life? And are there really no other ways of life that we would consider worthy? In this five-session course, students will be introduced to the activity of philosophy and why the citizens of Athens decided to kill Socrates for engaging in it. Through close reading and thoughtful discussion, we will probe a range of questions about wisdom, politics, and human happiness in order to consider for ourselves whether Socrates was right about how to live a properly human life or whether we, too, would have voted to put him to death.
- [Jewish Detective Stories](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-detective-stories-fall-2023-2/): We can trace the modern mystery story all the way back to the Book of Genesis. This seminar will introduce readers to some of the key characteristics of detective fiction through narratives that feature Jewish detectives. Not only will we ask intriguing and illuminating questions such as "How is the Jewish mystery different from all other mysteries?," but we will also examine thematic conflicts about Judaism and Jewishness that are teased out through stories of crime and investigation.
- [Jewish Detective Stories<br /> ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-detective-stories-fall-2023/): We can trace the modern mystery story all the way back to the Book of Genesis. This seminar will introduce readers to some of the key characteristics of detective fiction through narratives that feature Jewish detectives. Not only will we ask intriguing and illuminating questions such as "How is the Jewish mystery different from all other mysteries?," but we will also examine thematic conflicts about Judaism and Jewishness that are teased out through stories of crime and investigation.
- [A Journey Through Jewish American Storytelling](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/a-journey-through-jewish-american-storytelling-fall-2023-2/): Jews have been writing about life in America—or the goldene medinah—even before disembarking at Ellis Island. But what makes a story Jewish? American? Jewish American? What are the markers of these works of fiction that reflect the realities of Jewish American life, and why do they matter? This course will trace the historical trajectory of the Jewish experience in the United States through their storytelling. We will examine the literature produced by each generation of American Jews, ranging from immigrants on the Lower East Side to prominent post-1945 authors. This course will engage with the core issues facing thoughtful American Jews today through the lens of literature, allowing us to reckon with questions regarding identity and tradition as we look towards the future.
- [George Orwell’s <em>Animal Farm</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/george-orwells-animal-farm-fall-2023-2/): In this course, we will read Animal Farm by George Orwell. Animal Farm is a simple story about farm animals who rebel against their farmer in a failed attempt to create a better society. It is also a profound criticism of Joseph Stalin and 20th century Russia. We will spend five sessions carefully reading the book and discussing what motivated the animals, where they went wrong, and what the farmer could have done better. Animal Farm is a rare book. You can first read in middle school and spend the rest of your life thinking about it.
- [A Journey Through Jewish American Storytelling](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/a-journey-through-jewish-american-storytelling-fall-2023/): Jews have been writing about life in America—or the goldene medinah—even before disembarking at Ellis Island. But what makes a story Jewish? American? Jewish American? What are the markers of these works of fiction that reflect the realities of Jewish American life, and why do they matter? This course will trace the historical trajectory of the Jewish experience in the United States through their storytelling. We will examine the literature produced by each generation of American Jews, ranging from immigrants on the Lower East Side to prominent post-1945 authors. This course will engage with the core issues facing thoughtful American Jews today through the lens of literature, allowing us to reckon with questions regarding identity and tradition as we look towards the future.
- [<strong>George Orwell’s <em>Animal Farm</em> – Option 1</strong><br />Wednesdays | 6–7:15 PM ET](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/george-orwells-animal-farm-1-fall-2024/): bb
- [<em>And None Shall Make Them Afraid</em>: Stories of Great Modern Jewish Heroes](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/and-none-shall-make-them-afraid-aug/): Rather than telling the story of the state of Israel through waves of migrations, wars, or diplomacy, this course will focus on some of its outstanding figures, using Rick Richman’s book And None Shall Make Them Afraid as its guide. This work presents the stories of eight historic personalities—four from Europe (Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, Vladimir Jabotinsky, and Abba Eban) and four from America (Louis D. Brandeis, Golda Meir, Ben Hecht, and Ron Dermer). Their stories reflect the cultural, intellectual, and social revolutions they lived through, and from which modern Zionism emerged. The lives of these outstanding individuals are central to understanding the miraculous recovery of the Jewish people in the 20th century. Taken together, they recount both a people’s return to its place among the nations and the impact on history that a single individual can make.
- [<em>Peter Pan</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/peter-pan/): What does it mean to be a child? What are the wonderful aspects of childhood? What are the challenges of childhood? We will explore the fantastical world of the Darling siblings and their adventures from their childhood nursery to Neverland, a world created by J.M. Barre that Peter Pan and Tinkerbell inhabit. We will consider why "makebelieve" is a central component of childhood. We will discuss the traits of childhood—curiosity, hopefulness, sadness, wonder, and curiosity—and why our sense of these things sometimes changes as we get older. We will also consider what society (and parents) expects of children, how it can shape children, and the role of mothers. Lastly, we will look at the different ideas of work and play, and how we define them as children and, one day, as adults.
- [Legends Unleashed: Exploring the Wonders of Greek Mythology](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/legends-unleashed/): Studying Greek mythology immerses students in a world of fascinating characters and timeless stories, exploring the natural world alongside the ancient Greeks themselves. Together, we will work to answer questions such as: What is a myth? How do these stories about gods and mortals explain the human condition? Are these just entertaining fantasies or do they contain important lessons? We will read and discuss excerpts from D'Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths and delve into the meaning of these captivating stories that have inspired countless literary and artistic works.
- [The Chronicles of Narnia: <em>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/the-chronicles-of-narnia/): Step into a world of imagination and embark on a journey through the magical pages of C.S. Lewis’s masterpiece, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Experience the thrill of adventure as four courageous children discover a hidden portal, leading them to a fantastical realm where loyalty, greed, bravery, and hope are put to the ultimate test. In class discussions, we will unravel the book’s profound themes and consider their relevance to our lives today. Much like the young heroes stepping through the magical wardrobe, prepare to be transported into a new world by this novel, spend time with rich characters, and learn powerful lessons about human nature, gaining a fresh perspective on this extraordinary adventure.
- [Dialectic in the Thought of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik<br /> ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/dialectic-in-the-thought-of-rabbi-joseph-b-soloveitchik/): The dialectical approach is a distinct method for engaging with contrasting and even contradictory aspects of an experience. This class will explore the idea of dialectic and compare it to opposing philosophical approaches that emphasize harmony, unity, and synthesis. In particular, we will study the great 20th-century theologian and scholar Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s use of dialectic to understand the human experience of God, as well as his dialectical approach to human emotions.
- [Rembrandt and the Jews: Art, History, and Identity<br />  ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/rembrandt-and-the-jews-2/): Active in the fiercely Protestant Netherlands, Rembrandt van Rijn demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity to Jewish ideas and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. The artist’s association with Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel and other members of Amsterdam’s Jewish community influenced his approach to Hebrew Biblical subjects, as well as his understanding of Christian theology. At the same time, Rembrandt created a new standard for richly intellectual and contemplative visual commentary, often at odds with his contemporaries. This course focuses on the character of Rembrandt’s depictions of Biblical subjects by examining their relationship to Jewish scripture and exegesis, to contemporary Jewish life in Amsterdam, and to the European artistic tradition. Using Rembrandt’s and his contemporaries’ paintings, drawings, and prints as jumping-off points, students will explore the artist’s connections to the Jewish community of Amsterdam, his knowledge of and perspective on Jewish sources and customs, and his place within the larger context of art history and religious tradition.
- [Founding Father of American Conservatism: William F. Buckley’s <em>God and Man at Yale</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/buckleys-god-and-man-at-yale/): William F. Buckley, Jr. is known as one of the founders of the modern conservative movement in the United States. In 1955 he started National Review, which still today is one of the leading magazines on the American right. In 1966 he became the founder and host of the television show Firing Line, an interview program that lasted until 1999. He was also the author of numerous books, both fiction and non-fiction, and a syndicated column that appeared in more than 200 newspapers three times a week. But his first book still stands out as a classic. Buckley published God and Man at Yale in 1951, and the questions it asks—about the value of academic freedom, about the politics of university faculty, about the roles and responsibilities of institutions of higher learning—still resonate today. In this course we will discuss the context of the book, its central arguments, and Buckley’s own life.
- [Who is Bibi Netanyahu?<br />The Story of Israel’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/who-is-bibi-netanyahu-summer-2023/): Israel’s longest-serving prime minister has been called a statesman of unmatched wisdom who has already built a valuable legacy for Israel. His opponents take a very different view. In this course we will examine Benjamin Netanyahu’s self-presentation in his recent autobiography, Bibi: My Story. Where does he come from, who are his friends, who are his enemies? What are the events that have colored his way of seeing the world? Who are the models who have shaped his vision of Israel? How should we evaluate his role in history in light of the actions and policies he has pursued?
- [Machiavelli’s <em>The Prince</em><br /> ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/machiavellis-the-prince/): Machiavelli's classic, The Prince, composed after the return of the Medici dynasty to power in early 16th-century Florence, poses questions about the relations between republics and principalities and between politics and morality, as well as the attributes necessary for political leadership and control. Machiavelli asserts that he does something unusual by urging the would-be prince to study history and the art of war, while addressing such issues as the selection of advisors, whether it is better to be loved or feared, and whether human virtue and excellence is capable of mastering fortune. Students will gain an appreciation for Machiavelli’s political thought as well as for his modes of expression and attention to historical detail. Taught in seminar format, this course will engage in close readings of Machiavelli's classic text, examining its arguments, distinctions, examples, and literary style.
- [Ridiculous People in Search for Truth: An Introduction into Russian Literature ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/an-introduction-into-russian-literature/): Unlike Western Europe with its strong tradition of philosophical and political polemics, Russia produced few writers of philosophy as such. Instead, authors of fiction became masters not only of plot twists, but of political and philosophical commentary. In this course, we will examine Feodor Dostoevsky’s short story “The Dream of a Ridiculous Man” (1877) and how it explores existentialism, morality, and the human condition.
- [<em>Hamlet</em>: A Journey into Shakespeare’s Classic  ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/hamlet-a-journey-into-shakespeares-classic-2/): Shakespeare’s Hamlet grapples with themes of revenge, despair, indecision, mortality, and the place of the individual in the sweep of larger events. This course will take students on a deep exploration of the play itself and of the Elizabethan world that produced it.
- [<em>Hamlet</em>: A Journey into Shakespeare’s Classic  ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/hamlet-a-journey-into-shakespeares-classic/): Shakespeare’s Hamlet grapples with themes of revenge, despair, indecision, mortality, and the place of the individual in the sweep of larger events. This course will take students on a deep exploration of the play itself and of the Elizabethan world that produced it.
- [An Introduction to Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations<br />  ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/an-introduction-to-adam-smiths-wealth-of-nations/): In this course, students will have an opportunity to engage directly with the foundational text of modern capitalism, Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. Published in 1776, Smith’s classic synthesized earlier economic thinking into a powerful vision for achieving national and international prosperity. Topics we will explore include the economic aspects of human nature, the division of labor, the implications of free trade, the meaning of money, and the proper role of government in economic life. Special attention will be paid to Smith’s economic arguments and how these fit within his larger political and moral thinking.
- [Baseball and American Jews: A Tale of Patriotism, Assimilation, and Adoration](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/baseball-and-american-jews/): Throughout the 20th century, Jews developed a love affair with the American national pastime. This course will examine how baseball shaped national identity and patriotism for generations of American Jews. Specifically, we will seek to answer a few key questions about this relationship: How did baseball serve as a vehicle for assimilation for immigrant Jewish communities? In what ways did Jewish ballplayers connect to their faith and community while becoming national icons? Were baseball and Judaism ever in conflict? The seminar will explore the lives and careers of Jewish baseball heroes, including Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax, as well as leading executives who achieved prominence from the front office.
- [Chasing Greatness: A Journey to Excellence in Film<br /> ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/a-journey-to-excellence-in-film/): Young people love movies, especially about young people in love. But sometimes the love is not of the romantic variety but is, instead, a love of a more abstract ideal like excellence, patriotism, competition, or authenticity. Chariots of Fire (1981) and Dead Poets Society (1989), two award-winning films that look backward in time (the former to Edwardian Britain, the latter to 1950s New England) to capture the youthful quest for excellence in both physical and intellectual arenas. In this seminar, we will explore both the common themes of discipline vs. free expression, intellect vs. emotion, Classical vs. Romantic, the pull of friendship and the role of a mentor, highlighting similarities—and profound differences—along the way. You are expected to view each film in advance of our daily discussion.
- [The First Modern Jewish Rebel: Menachem Begin’s <em>The Revolt</em><br /> ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/menachem-begins-the-revolt/): In February 1944, the underground Irgun Zvai Leumi (Etzel) did something no other Jewish group had done since the Bar Kochba revolt 1,800 years earlier: it rebelled against local rulers to liberate the Land of Israel. What motivated this unprecedented act of defiance? How did the Irgun’s members overcome opposition from both British authorities and many fellow Zionists? Were they freedom fighters, as they declared, or terrorists, as depicted by their opponents? We’ll explore these questions through the fascinating memoir of their leader, Menachem Begin’s The Revolt. Photo by Beno Rothenberg / CC BY 4.0
- [The Bold & Courageous: Women in Tanakh ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/women-in-tanakh/): The heroines of the Hebrew Bible distinguish themselves in stories of faith, intrigue, and courage. In this class, we will explore the experiences and inner worlds of three such women: Miriam, Ruth, and Esther. We will delve into each woman’s respective story and its enduring resonance through the centuries and millennia. Miriam, the sister of Moses, played a pivotal role in the liberation of the Jewish people, while displaying wisdom and fortitude that sustained them during their journey through the wilderness. Ruth, our second heroine, was a Moabite widow who became the symbol of kindness, unwavering loyalty, and resilience as she left her home to join the Jewish people. Finally, Esther, a Jewish queen in a Persian world, found herself in a position to save her people from impending destruction.
- [Rembrandt and the Jews: Art, History, and Identity ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/rembrandt-and-the-jews/): Active in the fiercely Protestant Netherlands, Rembrandt van Rijn demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity to Jewish ideas and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. The artist’s association with Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel and other members of Amsterdam’s Jewish community influenced his approach to Hebrew Biblical subjects, as well as his understanding of Christian theology. At the same time, Rembrandt created a new standard for richly intellectual and contemplative visual commentary, often at odds with his contemporaries. This course focuses on the character of Rembrandt’s depictions of Biblical subjects by examining their relationship to Jewish scripture and exegesis, to contemporary Jewish life in Amsterdam, and to the European artistic tradition. Using Rembrandt’s and his contemporaries’ paintings, drawings, and prints as jumping-off points, students will explore the artist’s connections to the Jewish community of Amsterdam, his knowledge of and perspective on Jewish sources and customs, and his place within the larger context of art history and religious tradition.
- [<em>Exodus</em>: A Novel of Israel<br /> ](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/exodus-a-novel-of-israel/): In 1958, American novelist Leon Uris awakened the sympathy of the world for the young state of Israel with Exodus. Breaking records, topping bestseller lists and selling millions of copies, the novel tells the thrilling tale of the birth of the Jewish state through the lens of a group of young, idealistic, and brave characters, who, although fictional, represent the very real heroes of the time. In this course, we will focus on the stories of these characters, delving into literary themes, historical significance, and political relevance.
- [<em>And None Shall Make Them Afraid</em>: Stories of Great Modern Jewish Heroes](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/and-none-shall-make-them-afraid-june/): Rather than telling the story of the state of Israel through waves of migrations, wars, or diplomacy, this course will focus on some of its outstanding figures, using Rick Richman’s book And None Shall Make Them Afraid as its guide. This work presents the stories of eight historic personalities—four from Europe (Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, Vladimir Jabotinsky, and Abba Eban) and four from America (Louis D. Brandeis, Golda Meir, Ben Hecht, and Ron Dermer). Their stories reflect the cultural, intellectual, and social revolutions they lived through, and from which modern Zionism emerged. The lives of these outstanding individuals are central to understanding the miraculous recovery of the Jewish people in the 20th century. Taken together, they recount both a people’s return to its place among the nations and the impact on history that a single individual can make.
- [Exploring Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s Masterpiece <em>The Lonely Man of Faith</em>](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/exploring-rabbi-joseph-b-soloveitchiks-masterpiece-the-lonely-man-of-faith/): What is the proper way to engage with the natural world? Should we conquer nature by constantly building, inventing, and overcoming every possible obstacle to our success, gaining ever-increasing dominion over nature? Should we aim to traverse every distance, cure every disease, and explore every molecule? Or, perhaps, more humility is in order. We are, after all, created beings. Should we approach nature with the understanding that we will never fully understand? Should we focus instead on overcoming ourselves and the vices that exist in our own hearts and minds? Can we ignore the fact that neither scientific knowledge nor technological mastery can fulfill our basic human longing to belong? In this course we will explore these questions with the guidance of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. In his classic essay, The Lonely Man of Faith, Rabbi Soloveitchik seeks to understand the dual nature of man through an incisive study of the first two chapters of the book of Genesis.
- [HEROISM in Unlikely Places: Life Lessons from Bilbo Baggins](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/heroism-in-unlikely-places-life-lessons-from-bilbo-baggins/): How do we define heroism, and how do we recognize it when we see it? In this exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, we will trace understandings of heroism from classical to modern times, and consider the ways that Tolkien reflects, interrogates, and responds to these ideas. As we discuss the book’s main character Bilbo Baggins as an unlikely hero, we will develop our own definitions of heroism, adventure, and loyalty. This course will push students to consider if heroes are born or made, and how the process of becoming a hero can alter a person—or a hobbit. Finally, we will examine how heroes may be (mis)perceived by their communities, and how one can be a hero even without acknowledgement.
- [HONOR: The American Spirit in the Modern Era](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/honor-the-american-spirit-in-the-modern-era-2/): What does it mean to be honorable in America today? Where can we see examples of honor in our public servants and citizenry? In this course, students will use three primary sources to examine the idea of honor and how it is demonstrated by our politicians and by American citizens. Students will gain knowledge about three different eras: World War II, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, while honing their skills in analyzing texts. Through these close readings, students will discover how the American spirit encourages us to live an honorable life.
- [HONOR: The American Spirit in the Modern Era](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/honor-the-american-spirit-in-the-modern-era/): What does it mean to be honorable in America today? Where can we see examples of honor in our public servants and citizenry? In this course, students will use three primary sources to examine the idea of honor and how it is demonstrated by our politicians and by American citizens. Students will gain knowledge about three different eras: World War II, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, while honing their skills in analyzing texts. Through these close readings, students will discover how the American spirit encourages us to live an honorable life.
- [CURIOSITY Crossroads: Unveiling Mysteries in Midrash and Sherlock Holmes](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/curiosity-crossroads-unveiling-mysteries-in-midrash-and-sherlock-holmes-2/): Although we don’t tend to think of curiosity as a virtue, let alone a Jewish one, at its heart it is an admirable inclination toward learning that seems to be as much about the desire and the process as it is about the outcome. To understand why this trait should be valued, we will read foundational tales about curiosity from the Talmud and Hebrew Bible alongside classic detective stories featuring the legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes. We will consider how modes of interpretation in midrash compare with methods of investigation in mysteries. By getting curious about curiosity, we will come to understand it as a Jewish ideal.
- [CURIOSITY Crossroads: Unveiling Mysteries in Midrash and Sherlock Holmes](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/curiosity-crossroads-unveiling-mysteries-in-midrash-and-sherlock-holmes/): Although we don’t tend to think of curiosity as a virtue, let alone a Jewish one, at its heart it is an admirable inclination toward learning that seems to be as much about the desire and the process as it is about the outcome. To understand why this trait should be valued, we will read foundational tales about curiosity from the Talmud and Hebrew Bible alongside classic detective stories featuring the legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes. We will consider how modes of interpretation in midrash compare with methods of investigation in mysteries. By getting curious about curiosity, we will come to understand it as a Jewish ideal.
- [JEWISH PRIDE: Embracing Identity and Heritage with Rabbi Sacks](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-pride-embracing-identity-and-heritage-with-rabbi-sacks-2/): At a 2017 gathering for Jewish students and young professionals in London, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks addressed over 1,400 young Jewish leaders from over 100 organizations based in more than 20 countries around the world. He spoke to them about what Judaism means to him and why it should mean a great deal to them. This 20-minute speech proved so powerful and popular that Rabbi Sacks took a 10-minute excerpt presenting an idea he called “The Jewish Algorithm” and republished it in 2020, addressing Jewish high-school and university students who were unable to attend their graduation ceremonies in person due to the global pandemic.
- [JEWISH PRIDE: Embracing Identity and Heritage with Rabbi Sacks](https://tikvah.org/tikvah-online/jewish-pride-embracing-identity-and-heritage-with-rabbi-sacks/): At a 2017 gathering for Jewish students and young professionals in London, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks addressed over 1,400 young Jewish leaders from over 100 organizations based in more than 20 countries around the world. He spoke to them about what Judaism means to him and why it should mean a great deal to them. This 20-minute speech proved so powerful and popular that Rabbi Sacks took a 10-minute excerpt presenting an idea he called “The Jewish Algorithm” and republished it in 2020, addressing Jewish high-school and university students who were unable to attend their graduation ceremonies in person due to the global pandemic.

## Tikvah Collegiate Forum
- [2026 Redstone Conference](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/2026-redstone-conference/): The third annual Redstone Leadership Conference will be held on January 18th and 19th, convening students, alumni, speakers, and guests in New York City. Student delegates are selected from within the ranks of the Tikvah Collegiate Forum - current campus leaders, strategic thinkers, and models of moral courage and academic success.
- [2025 Redstone Forum](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/2025-redstone-forum/): The second annual Redstone Leadership Forum will be held in mid-January, convening students, alumni, speakers, and guests in New York City. Student delegates are selected from within the ranks of the Tikvah Collegiate Forum - current campus leaders, strategic thinkers, and models of moral courage and academic success.
- [Judeo-Christian Ethics of War](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/passages-and-tikvah-fireside-chat/): Passages and Tikvah are partnering to host a dinner-and-discussion event to connect our networks of Fellows and alumni to discuss Judeo-Christian ethics of war in the context of contemporary conflict.
- [Douglas Murray: On Democracies and Death Cults](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/douglas-murray-on-democracies-and-death-cults/): Hundreds of copies of New York Times bestselling author Douglas Murray's newest book, On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization, have been distributed to Collegiate Forum members across our network of campuses as part of our Summer-Fall 2025 Reading Initiative. Students explore Murray's thought-provoking analysis and reflect on the state of democracy post-October 7th with members of their campus chapter and the wider community.
- [The Legal Approach to Anti-Semitic Discrimination](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-legal-approach-to-anti-semitic-discrimination/)
- [Understanding Cognitive Warfare](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/understanding-cognitive-warfare/): Tikvah is partnering with the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization to offer a new seminar on cognitive warfare with Dr. Juliana Geran Pilon. This seminar will examine key issues necessary for understanding the history and methods of cognitive warfare currently being waged by enemies both external and homegrown. Each session will be conducted by an expert specialized in that week’s subject matter, engaging participants in conversations based primarily on short readings. The seminar consists of six weekly lunchtime sessions at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) on Fridays and six Sunday evening Zoom sessions. Upon successful completion of the program and an optional written assignment, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Alexander Hamilton Institute. Location: 1800 M St. NW South Tower, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. Dates: June 21 and 28, July 12, 19, 26, and August 2. Time: 12 – 2:00 pm. Zoom meetings are held the following Sundays from 8 – 9:30 pm. Lunch will be served. Metro passes will be made available for travel to and from each session. Please click here to view the syllabus and here to view Zoom faculty.
- [Writing Intensive: American Non-Fiction, Mostly About New York](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/writing-intensive-american-non-fiction-mostly-about-new-york/): We’ll look at how five great writers––James Baldwin, Norman Podhoretz, Christopher Hitchens, Alfred Kazin, and E.B. White––describe life in New York. None of the works we’ll read is especially polemical. Rather than exhort or admonish or sneer, they show something important––about black life or Jewish life or poverty or a literary career or being an Oxford scofflaw in love with America. We’ll talk about style, word-choice, sentence structure, paragraph structure, essay structure, and rhetorical technique. Anyone should join who finds most op-ed and political magazine writing nowadays very dull, and believes (rightly) that there’s a better way.
- [Jewish Graphic Novels: A Serious Look](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/jewish-graphic-novels-a-serious-look/): In recent years, illustrators have included the motifs and themes of Jewish scripture and exegesis in their graphic novels. From the Passover story, the story of Esther, Noah, and Pirke Avot, these traditional texts seem new when set within a contemporary format. But is there something more at stake here than bright colors and flashy artwork? Are these works simply an attempt to inspire new audiences? This seminar/workshop focuses on how the idiom of graphic novels shapes the way Jewish scripture and exegesis is presented and understood. Reading a variety of contemporary graphic novels and other source material, students will explore how graphic novels are visual interpretations of classic Jewish texts.
- [Jews and Elections](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-jewish-vote/): What does this election mean for the Jews? What do the Jews mean for this election? Join us as Jonathan Baron and Jonathan Silver discuss this pivotal moment for Jews in American politics in the run-up to the 2024 election.
- [One Year Later: Forging a Biblical Alliance on Campus](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/10-7-one-year-later-forging-a-biblical-alliance-on-campus/): Join distinguished scholars of war and morality in discussing traditional and contemporary Judeo-Christian sources and the emerging alliance of the Bible and the West both abroad and domestically. This conversation will feature our esteemed guests, Rabbi Shlomo Brody and Marc LiVecche, introduced by Luke Moon, and moderated by Jonathan Silver. Please note that this event is on 9/30, NOT 10/7 itself.
- [S.Y. Agnon on the High Holidays | Short Stories II](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/s-y-agnon-on-the-high-holidays-short-stories-ii/): Shmuel Yosef Agnon is one of the masters of modern Hebrew fiction, who helped to spark the revival of modern Hebrew literature in Israel and around the world. His work is not only beloved, but also profound, laden with many allusions to the vast canon of traditional Jewish text that shaped his literary imagination: one hears in Agnon’s work echoes of the siddur, the Hebrew Bible, and an astonishing array of rabbinic literature. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1966.
- [S.Y. Agnon on the High Holidays | Short Stories I](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/s-y-agnon-on-the-high-holidays-short-stories/): Shmuel Yosef Agnon is one of the masters of modern Hebrew fiction, who helped to spark the revival of modern Hebrew literature in Israel and around the world. His work is not only beloved, but also profound, laden with many allusions to the vast canon of traditional Jewish text that shaped his literary imagination: one hears in Agnon’s work echoes of the siddur, the Hebrew Bible, and an astonishing array of rabbinic literature. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1966.
- [Tikvah Rising Freshmen Summit 2024](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/tikvah-rising-freshmen-summit-2024/): Join us for a day of inspiration, discussion, and learning as you prepare to head off for college. 
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: Chaim Grade](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-chaim-grade/): In a new weekly lecture series at the Tikvah Center, Professor Ruth Wisse will continue the journey she began in her earlier course on “The New York Intellectuals,” introducing more of the leading writers and thinkers of the golden age of American Jewry. These intellectuals tackled issues of Jewish particularism and assimilation, and where Jews belonged in American society. As the influence of fascism faded and new forms of anti-Zionism arose, they confronted anti-Semitism at home and abroad. They were thoroughly invested in Jewish life, and formed a distinctive intelligentsia that mediated between Europe and America, shaping American culture and discourse for decades to come.
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: Isaac Bashevis Singer](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-isaac-bashevis-singer/): In a new weekly lecture series at the Tikvah Center, Professor Ruth Wisse will continue the journey she began in her earlier course on “The New York Intellectuals,” introducing more of the leading writers and thinkers of the golden age of American Jewry. These intellectuals tackled issues of Jewish particularism and assimilation, and where Jews belonged in American society. As the influence of fascism faded and new forms of anti-Zionism arose, they confronted anti-Semitism at home and abroad. They were thoroughly invested in Jewish life, and formed a distinctive intelligentsia that mediated between Europe and America, shaping American culture and discourse for decades to come. Photo by Israel Press and Photo Agency / CC BY 4.0
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: Maurice Samuel](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-maurice-samuel-tuesday-april-16th-600-715-pm-est/): In a new weekly lecture series at the Tikvah Center, Professor Ruth Wisse will continue the journey she began in her earlier course on “The New York Intellectuals,” introducing more of the leading writers and thinkers of the golden age of American Jewry. These intellectuals tackled issues of Jewish particularism and assimilation, and where Jews belonged in American society. As the influence of fascism faded and new forms of anti-Zionism arose, they confronted anti-Semitism at home and abroad. They were thoroughly invested in Jewish life, and formed a distinctive intelligentsia that mediated between Europe and America, shaping American culture and discourse for decades to come.
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: Marie Syrkin](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/he-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-marie-syrkin/): The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse | Click here to read the essay
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: A.M. Klein](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-a-m-klein/): In a new weekly lecture series at the Tikvah Center, Professor Ruth Wisse will continue the journey she began in her earlier course on “The New York Intellectuals,” introducing more of the leading writers and thinkers of the golden age of American Jewry. These intellectuals tackled issues of Jewish particularism and assimilation, and where Jews belonged in American society. As the influence of fascism faded and new forms of anti-Zionism arose, they confronted anti-Semitism at home and abroad. They were thoroughly invested in Jewish life, and formed a distinctive intelligentsia that mediated between Europe and America, shaping American culture and discourse for decades to come.
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: H. Leivick](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-h-leivick/): In a new weekly lecture series at the Tikvah Center, Professor Ruth Wisse will continue the journey she began in her earlier course on “The New York Intellectuals,” introducing more of the leading writers and thinkers of the golden age of American Jewry. These intellectuals tackled issues of Jewish particularism and assimilation, and where Jews belonged in American society. As the influence of fascism faded and new forms of anti-Zionism arose, they confronted anti-Semitism at home and abroad. They were thoroughly invested in Jewish life, and formed a distinctive intelligentsia that mediated between Europe and America, shaping American culture and discourse for decades to come.
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse: Jacob Glatstein](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-jacob-glatstein/): The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse | Click here to read the essay
- [The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse – Abraham Cahan](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-new-york-intellectuals-part-ii-with-ruth-wisse-abraham-cahan/): The New York Intellectuals Part II with Ruth Wisse | Click here to read the essay
- [Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on Passover and National Identity](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/rabbi-lord-jonathan-sacks-passover-and-national-identity/): Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on the Haggadah | Click here to read the essay
- [Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on Passover and the Jewish Response to Anti-Semitism](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/passover-and-the-jewish-response-to-anti-semitism/): Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on the Haggadah | Click here to read the essay
- [Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on Passover and Freedom](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/rabbi-lord-jonathan-sacks-on-passover-freedom/): Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on the Haggadah | Click here to read the essay
- [Jews and the Presidency, abroad: the Republicans and Israel](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/jews-and-the-american-presidency-2/): Jews and the American Presidency: At Home and Abroad | Click here to read the essay
- [Jews and the Presidency, abroad: the Democrats and Israel](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/jews-and-the-american-presidency-3/): Jews and the American Presidency: At Home and Abroad | Click here to read the essay
- [Courage on Campus: The Legal Approach to Anti-Semitic Discrimination with Jerome and Lori Marcus](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/courage-on-campus-the-legal-approach-to-anti-semitic-discrimination-with-jerome-and-lori-marcus/): Courage on Campus | Click here for more information
- [Kassy Dillon on Kfar Aza and Israel at War](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/kassy-dillon-on-kfar-aza-and-israel-at-war/): National Events | Click here for more informaton
- [Jews and the American Presidency, at Home](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/jews-and-the-american-presidency-at-home-and-abroad/): Jews and the American Presidency: At Home and Abroad | Click here to read the essay
- [Courage on Campus: Sahar Tartak and Alexandra Orbuch](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/courage-on-campus-sahar-tartak-and-alexandra-orbuch/): Courage on Campus | Click here for more information
- [Premiere of Zionism and Anti-Zionism – An Exclusive Panel Discussion with Zoe Tara Zeigherman & Dr. Einat Wilf](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/live-from-los-angeles-premiere-of-zionism-and-anti-zionism-the-history-of-two-opposing-ideas/): National Events | Click here for more information
- [The Arab World After October 7th with Hussein Aboubakr and Dore Feith](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-arab-world-after-october-7th-with-hussein-aboubakr-and-dore-feith/): National Events | Click here for more information
- [Israel at War with Peter Berkowitz, Hussein Aboubakr Mansour, and Jonathan Silver](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israel-at-war-with-peter-berkowitz-hussein-aboubakr-mansour-and-jonathan-silver/): National Events | Click here for more information
- [The War in Israel: How We Got Here, Where We Are, Where It’s Likely to Go with Neil Rogachevsky](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-war-in-israel-how-we-got-here-where-we-are-where-its-likely-to-go-with-neil-rogachevsky/): In Person Events | Click here to learn more
- [Leadership in War: The Model of David Ben Gurion](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/leadership-in-war-the-model-of-david-ben-gurion/): What This Moment Calls For | Click here to read the essay
- [When The Moment Came: Discussion of What We Can Do to Help Israel in this War](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/can-israel-have-a-constitution-the-contemporary-debate/): What This Moment Calls For | Click here to read the essay
- [Rav Soloveitchik on Prayer, Petition, and Crisis](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/rav-soloveitchik-on-prayer-petition-and-crisis/): Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik on the High Holidays | Click here to read the essay
- [Rav Soloveitchik on the Day of Yom Kippur as the Medium of Atonement](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-day-of-yom-kippur-as-the-medium-of-atonement/): Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik on the High Holidays | Click here to read the essay
- [Rav Soloveitchik on Man as Both Subject and Object](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/rav-soloveitchik-on-man-as-both-subject-and-object/): Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik on the High Holidays | Click here to read the essay
- [Peretz as Polemicist and Modernist (Lunchtime Seminar)](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/peretz-as-polemicist-and-modernist/): Why Yiddish Matters: Readings in Peretz | Click here to read the essay
- [Peretz as Neo-Romantic (Lunchtime Seminar)](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/peretz-as-neo-romantic/): Why Yiddish Matters: Readings in Peretz | Click here to read the essay
- [Peretz as Radical (Lunchtime Seminar)](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/peretz-as-radical/): Why Yiddish Matters: Readings in Peretz | Click here to read the essay
- [Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Affirmative Action](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/students-for-fair-admissions-v-harvard-and-affirmative-action/): Series: Constitutional Politics and the Roberts Court | Click here to read the essay
- [303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and Religious Liberty](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/303-creative-llc-v-elenis-and-religious-liberty/): Series: Constitutional Politics and the Roberts Court | Click here to read the essay
- [Carson v. Makin and School Choice](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/carson-v-makin-and-school-choice/): Series: Constitutional Politics and the Roberts Court | Click here to read the essay
- [How to Change the World with a Law Degree: A Conversation with David Schizer](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/how-to-change-the-world-with-a-law-degree-a-conversation-with-david-schizer/): Great Speakers | Click here for information on how to register
- [Israel’s Political Crisis with Jon Silver and Peter Berkowitz](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israels-political-crisis-with-jon-silver-and-peter-berkowitz/): Great Speakers | Click here for information on how to register
- [Anti-Semitism in America: A Threat Assessment with Tamara Berens and Robert Nicholson](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/anti-semitism-in-america-a-threat-assessment-with-robert-nicholson-and-tamara-berens/): Great Speakers | Click here for information on how to register
- [Unleashing Prosperity: Towards a New Conservative Economic Agenda](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/unleashing-prosperity-towards-a-new-conservative-economic-agenda/): National Events | Click here to RSVP and learn more
- [The Miraculous Recovery of the Jewish People in the Twentieth Century with Rick Richman](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-miraculous-recovery-of-the-jewish-people-in-the-twentieth-century-with-rick-richman/): National Events | Click here to RSVP and learn more
- [Israel’s Declaration of Independence with Neil Rogachevsky and Dov Zigler](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israels-declaration-of-independence-with-neil-rogachevsky-and-dov-zigler/): National Events |
- [The Fault Lines in American Law: Are the Changes Coming Good for the Jews? with Eric Baxter, Tal Fortgang and Howie Slugh](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/the-fault-lines-in-american-law-are-the-changes-coming-good-for-the-jews-with-tal-fortgang-and-howie-slugh/): Series: In-Person Dinners in NYC |
- [American Law and Culture Working Group – Religion and American Liberalism with Jonathan Silver](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-american-law-and-culture-april-20th/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture – March 30th](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-american-law-and-culture-march-30th/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture – March 16th](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-american-law-and-culture-march-16th/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture – March 2nd](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-american-law-and-culture-march-2nd/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Israel and American Foreign Policy Working Group – China’s Role in Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-israel-and-american-foreign-policy-may-3rd/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Israel and American Foreign Policy Working Group – American Constitutionalism and the Israeli Judicial Crisis](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-israel-and-american-foreign-policy-april-26th/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy – April 5th](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-israel-and-american-foreign-policy-april-5th/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy – March 22th](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/current-affairs-working-group-israel-and-american-foreign-policy-march-22th/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [National Student Conference in Washington D.C.](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/national-student-conference/): Series: National Events |
- [Yuval Levin, “The Perils of Religious Liberty”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/yuval-levin-the-perils-of-religious-liberty/): Series: Jews and Religious Liberty | Click here to read the essay
- [Irving Kristol, “The Spirit of ’87”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/irving-kristol-the-spirit-of-87/): Series: Religion in America | Click here to read the essay
- [Wilfred McClay, “The Soul of a Nation”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/wilfred-mcclay-the-soul-of-a-nation/): Series: Religion in America | Click here to read the essay
- [Clifford Orwin, “The Piety of Esther”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/clifford-orwin-the-piety-of-esther/): Series: Philosophy and the Hebrew Bible | Click here to read the essay
- [Ronna Burger, “Moses as Ruler and Lawgiver”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/ronna-burger-moses-as-ruler-and-lawgiver/): Series: Philosophy and the Hebrew Bible | Click here to read the essay
- [Leon Kass, “The Ten Commandments: Why the Decalogue Matters”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/leon-kass-the-ten-commandments-why-the-decalogue-matters/): Series: Philosophy and the Hebrew Bible | Click here to read the essay
- [Ido Hevroni, “Circumcision as Rebellion”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/ido-hevroni-circumcision-as-rebellion/): Series: Philosophy and Jewish Law | Click here to read the essay
- [Yankev Glatshteyn, Four Poems](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/glatshteyn_four_poems/): Series: Jewish Transformation: Three Poets | Click here to read the poems
- [Natan Alterman, Three Poems](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/natan-alterman-three-poems/): Series: Jewish Transformation: Three Poets | Click here to read the poems
- [Rahel, Four Poems](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/rahel_four_poems/): Series: Jewish Transformation: Three Poets | Click here to read the poems
- [Krauthammer Graduation & Symposium & Leadership Summit in New York City](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/krauthammer-graduation-symposium-leadership-summit-in-new-york-city/): Series: National Events |
- [Israel Working Group: Elliott Abrams On American Jews and Israel](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israel-working-group-american-jews-and-israel/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Israel Working Group: The Making of Israeli Strategy/The Israeli Perspective on US-Israel Relations](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israel-working-group-the-making-of-israeli-strategy-the-israeli-perspective-on-us-israel-relations/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Israel Working Group: Building a Conservative Movement in Israel](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israel-working-group-building-a-conservative-movement-in-israel/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Israel Working Group: Death of the Israeli Left](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/israel-working-group-death-of-the-israeli-left/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: Israel and American Foreign Policy |
- [Law and Culture Working Group: Right-Wing Anti-Semitism in the West](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/law-and-culture-working-group-right-wing-anti-semitism-in-the-west/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Law and Culture Working Group: Legal and Cultural Battles over BDS](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/law-and-culture-working-group-legal-and-cultural-battles-over-bds/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Law & Culture Working Group: Yeshiva University in the Culture Wars](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/law-culture-working-group-yeshiva-university-in-the-culture-wars/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Law & Culture Working Group: The Furor Over – and Future of – Hasidic Schools](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/law-culture-working-group-the-furor-over-and-future-of-hasidic-schools/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [Law and Culture Working Group: The New Abortion Regime and the Jewish Response](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/law-and-culture-working-group-the-new-abortion-regime-and-the-jewish-response/): Series: Current Affairs Working Group: American Law and Culture |
- [A Discussion with Einat Wilf on Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/a-discussion-with-einat-wilf-on-anti-semitism-and-anti-zionism/): Series: Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism: Exploring the Connection | Click here to read the essay
- [A Conversation with Leon Kass about Philosophy and the Hebrew Bible](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/a-conversation-with-leon-kass-about-philosophy-and-tanakh/): Series: Philosophy and Tanakh | Click here to read the essay
- [Shmuel Yosef Agnon, “The Orchestra and Another Tallit”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/schmuel-yosef-agnon-the-orchestra-and-another-tallit/): Series: Agnon: Days of Awe | Click here to read the essay
- [Shmuel Yosef Agnon, “Hemdat The Cantor”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/schmuel-yosef-agnon-hemdat-the-cantor/): Series: Agnon: Days of Awe | Click here to read the essay
- [Shmuel Yosef Agnon, “The Etrog”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/schmuel-yosef-agnon-the-etrog/): Series: Agnon: Days of Awe | Click here to read the essay
- [Natan Sharansky, “The Political Legacy of Theodor Herzl”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/natan-sharansky-the-political-legacy-of-theodor-herzl/): Series: Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism: Exploring the Connection | Click here to read the essay
- [Shani Mor, “On Three Anti-Zionisms”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/shani-mor-on-three-anti-zionisms/): Series: Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism: Exploring the Connection | Click here to read the essay
- [Eric Cohen, “The Spirit of Jewish Conservatism”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/eric-cohen-the-spirit-of-jewish-conservatism/): Series: Judaism and Modern Politics | Click here to read the essay
- [Milton Himmelfarb, “Paganism, Religion and Modernity”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/milton-himmelfarb-paganism-religion-and-modernity/): Series: Judaism and Modern Politics | Click here to read the essay
- [Irving Kristol, “The Political Stupidity of the Jews”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/irving-kristol-the-political-stupidity-of-the-jews/): Series: Judaism and Modern Politics | Click here to read the essay
- [Meir Soloveichik, “Locusts, Giraffes, and the Meaning of Kashrut”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/meir-soloveichik-locusts-giraffes-and-the-meaning-of-kashrut/): Series: Philosophy and Jewish Law | Click here to read the essay
- [Yosef Yitzhak Lifshitz, “Secret of the Sabbath”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/yosef-yitzhak-lifshitz-secret-of-the-sabbath/): Series: Philosophy and Jewish Law | Click here to read the essay
- [Ze’ev Maghen, “Imagine: On Love and Lennon”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/zeev-maghen-imagine-on-love-and-lennon/): Series: Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism: Exploring the Connection | Click here to read the essay
- [Daniel Gordis, “The Tower of Babel and the Birth of Nationhood”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/daniel-gordis-the-tower-of-babel-and-the-birth-of-nationhood/): Series: Philosophy and The Hebrew Bible | Click here to read the essay
- [Leon Kass, “Evolution and the Bible”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/leon-kass-evolution-and-the-bible/): Series: Philosophy and The Hebrew Bible | Click here to read the essay
- [Ethan Dor-Shav, “Ecclesiastes, Fleeting and Timeless”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/ethan-dor-shav-ecclesiastes-fleeting-and-timeless/): Series: Philosophy and The Hebrew Bible | Click here to read the essay
- [Mara Benjamin, “On Teachers, Rabbinic and Maternal”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/mara-benjamin-on-teachers-rabbinic-and-maternal/): Series: Sex, Family, and Human Nature: Jewish Explorations | Click here to read the essay
- [Samuel Huntington: “The Clash of Civilizations”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/samuel-huntington-the-clash-of-civilizations/): Full text here
- [Ruth Wisse: “The Functions of Anti-Semitism”](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-forum/ruth-wisse-the-functions-of-anti-semitism/): Series: Contemporary Perspectives on Jews and Conservatism | Click here to read the essay

## Young Professional Forum
- [Gila Fine: The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/gila-fine-the-madwoman-in-the-rabbis-attic/): Please join us in the evening of February 4th to hear from author and speaker Gila Fine. She will discuss an episode included in her book, The Madwoman in the Rabbi's Attic: Rereading the Women of the Talmud.
- [The Book of Samuel: Kings, Wars, and Nationhood](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/book-of-samuel/): Baruch Lev Kelman, Avi Garson, and Ethan Marcus are hosting a weekly in-person learning group studying The Book of Samuel I accompanied by the commentary of Maimonides' Mishneh Torah: The Laws of Kings and Wars. These texts prompt valuable conversations about Jewish leadership and governance. Join us to enjoy dinner and conversation with young professionals and exceptional college students.
- [Tikvah In-Person Study Groups](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/study_group/): After nearly two decades' of investment in young people interested in Jewish texts and ideas, Tikvah has cultivated a vibrant, in-person group of alumni and friends who have asked us for more outlets for learning and community. To this end, we are working to offer more opportunities for learning and conversation.
- [Islamic Thought: Religion, Politics and Society Zoom Seminar with Daniel Sonnenfeld and Guests](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/islamic-thought-religion-politics-and-society-zoom-seminar-with-daniel-sonnenfeld-and-guests/): Zoom
- [Understanding Cognitive Warfare with with Dr. Juliana Geran Pilon and Guests](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/understanding-cognitive-warfare-seminar-with-professor-juliana-geran-pilon/): Washington, D.C. and Zoom
- [Zionism and the Israel-Hamas War with Elliott Abrams, Michael Doran, Jonathan Silver, and Zineb Riboua](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/zionism-and-the-israel-hamas-war-with-elliott-abrams-michael-doran-jonathan-silver-and-zineb-riboua/): Washington, DC
- [US-Israel Relationship and Iran Roundtable with Gabriel Noronha](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/us-israel-relationship-and-iran-roundtable-with-gabriel-noronha/): Washington, DC
- [Shabbat Dinner with Passages](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/shabbat-dinner-with-passages-2/): New York City
- [Arab Nationalism and Palestinian Terrorism with Hussein Aboubakar Mansour and Dore Feith](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/arab-nationalism-and-palestinian-terrorism-with-hussein-aboubakar-mansour-and-dore-feith/): New York City
- [Briefing from Israel with Kassy Dillon](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/briefing-from-israel-with-kassy-dillon/)
- [Shabbat Dinner with Passages](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/shabbat-dinner-with-passages/): Washington, DC
- [Responding to October 7th  with Jonathan Silver, Peter Berkowitz, and Hussein Aboubakr](https://tikvah.org/young-professional/responding-to-october-7th-with-jonathan-silver-peter-berkowitz-and-hussein-aboubakr/): Washington, DC

## Collegiate Resource Library
- [The Pen and the Sword: Jewish Resistance to the Holocaust](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-pen-and-the-sword-jewish-resistance-to-the-holocaust/): In the years leading up to, during, and immediately after the Holocaust, Jews fought with the pen and the sword to save their people—and their memory—in the face of total annihilation. Why did these courageous men and women choose to act, and what wisdom can we derive from their examples of Jewish leadership in times of extreme duress? In this course, students will explore the intellectual, political, and historical roots of Jewish resistance before and during the Shoah, and the many dimensions of this activism that continued long after those horrific years. In rejecting the paradigmatic trope of sheep led to the slaughter, students will consider the enduring legacy of Jewish resistance to the Holocaust, and the continued historical reverberations of these acts of Jewish heroism today. Topics covered include: the attempts by figures like Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Peter Bergson to raise awareness of European Jewry’s plight, the preservation of Jewish cultural history by the Oyneg Shabes group and the resistance of the Warsaw Ghetto rebels, and the attempt to prevent future atrocities through international activism and Holocaust commemoration.
- [America-Israel Foreign Policy: From Truman to Trump](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/america-israel-foreign-policy-from-truman-to-trump/): This course will help us to see the unfolding logic of the U.S.-Israel relationship as it has grown from the founding of Israel in 1948 through the Cold War, from Oslo to the intifadas, from 9/11 through the Obama years.
- [Judaism and Religious Freedom in America](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/judaism-and-religious-freedom-in-america/): This course seeks to understand how First Amendment principles of religious liberty govern the relationship between church and state and how the Jewish community, as a paradigmatic religious minority, has and should continue to engage in ongoing religious liberty debates.
- [Zionism and Anti-Zionism: Dispatches from the University Campus](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/zionism-and-anti-zionism-dispatches-from-the-university-campus/): This seminar explores how to respond to the many allegations made on campus against Israel and will reflect on the relationship between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, focusing particularly on the impact of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS).
- [Israel’s Economic Take-Off: Human Creativity and the Dynamism of the Market](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/israels-economic-take-off-human-creativity-and-the-dynamism-of-the-market/): This course uses case studies taken from Israeli business and government to cover subjects like technology innovation, venture capital, the military, and the state’s economic policy during crises. Most of all, it uses these cases to try to look at the bigger economic picture.
- [The Stories Jews Tell: Season II](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-stories-jews-tell-season-ii/): This series explores authors as diverse as Yosef Haim Brenner and Jacob Glatstein, S.Y. Agnon and Cynthia Ozick, Sholem Aleichem and Chaim Grade. Students interested in hosting a discussion group on The Stories Jews Tell will receive a free subscription to the podcast.
- [The Stories Jews Tell: Season I](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-stories-jews-tell-season-i/): This series explores authors as diverse as Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav and Isaac Babel, Anna Margolin and I.L. Peretz, Sholem Aleichem and Franz Kafka. Students interested in hosting a discussion group on The Stories Jews Tell will receive a free subscription to the podcast.
- [Rule of Law in a Constitutional Democracy](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/rule-of-law-in-a-constitutional-democracy/): This course how American statesmen, judges, and scholars have attempted to define “the rule of law” in American democracy, ranging from Hamilton and Madison to Scalia and Thomas. Should the Supreme Court be viewed as the ultimate decider of the law or do men determine the ways in which law should be applied?
- [Varieties of Religious Zionism](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/varieties-of-religious-zionism/): This course examines the thought of the early founders of Religious Zionism, Rav Avraham Hakohen Kook, post-1948 pragmatic religious Zionists, and more recent messianic and even postmodern religious Zionists, all within the context of a maturing state and evolving culture.
- [What is Zionism? An Exploration of the Primary Sources](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/what-is-zionism-an-exploration-of-the-primary-sources/): This course explores the writings, debates, points of synergy, and divergence among Zionist theoreticians through a study of the writings of Theodor Herzl, Ahad Ha'am, Abraham Isaac Kook, A.D Gordon, and other representatives of Jewish nationalist thought.
- [Jews and American Conservatism: Great Thinkers and Key Debates](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/jews-and-american-conservatism-great-thinkers-and-key-debates/): This course examines the ideas and spirit of the new Jewish conservatives—including Leo Strauss, Frank Meyer, Nathan Glazer, Irving Kristol, Ruth Wisse, and others. How did these Jewish thinkers help shape modern America and are their ideas still relevant today?
- [Herzl and Jabotinsky](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/herzl-and-jabotinsky/): This course examines two thinkers who helped craft the worldview at the heart of Zionism: Theodor Herzl and Vladimir (or Ze’ev) Jabotinsky. Through a study of two ideas, nationhood and political self-determination, this course unpacks the basis on which much of modern Zionism is built.
- [Hebrew and Greek Thought Revisited: Law and Holiness, Virtue and the Good Life](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/hebrew-and-greek-thought-revisited-law-and-holiness-virtue-and-the-good-life/): The books of the Greek poets and philosophers, the Hebrew Bible, and the writings of the rabbis all contain profound teachings on the origins and purposes of law, the nature of moral virtue, wisdom, and holiness, and the importance of these ideas for human flourishing. This course brings those teachings into conversation.
- [Antisemitism: Then and Now](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/antisemitism-then-and-now/): This course reflects on the recent debates over how to define antisemitism and the challenges and opportunities confronting us today. What has made antisemitism so malleable and enduring over the centuries? What are its historical roots and how do these compare with its contemporary expressions?
- [The Moral Imagination: Nathaniel Hawthorne and the American Soul](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-moral-imagination-nathaniel-hawthorne-and-the-american-soul/): Through the deep, mysterious, and provocative tales of Nathaniel Hawthorn, this course explores who we are as Americans: always dreaming about a more perfect future, always haunted by our exile from Eden, broken beings in need of redemption.
- [Jewish Political Thought in the Book of Samuel](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/jewish-political-thought-in-the-book-of-samuel/): This course examines the nature of Hebraic political thought in the book of Samuel. Why does God eventually support the demand for a king? How does Tanakh evaluate the contrary dangers of anarchy and royal authority? In what ways do kings need a prophet?
- [The Six Day War: Israel’s Military Triumph and Spiritual Transformation](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-six-day-war-israels-military-triumph-and-spiritual-transformation/): This course examines both the military drama and deeper significance of the Six Day War, whose legacy still reverberates in Israel today. How did Israel win on the battlefield? What was Israel’s strategy? And how did Jews make sense of the meaning of this victory?
- [Modern Wars of the Jews, 1914-1948: Key Historical Moments and Great Debates](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/modern-wars-of-the-jews-1914-1948-key-historical-moments-and-great-debates/): The course will also look at challenging case studies in which Jewish history and Jewish destiny were shaped by war, including Jewish participation during World War I, the Etzel attacks in 1939, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and Israel’s remarkable War of Independence.
- [The Origin and Conduct of America’s Culture Wars](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-origin-and-conduct-of-americas-culture-wars/): This course explores the development of Western understandings of liberty from ancient to modern times and proceeding to analyses and discuss four culture war issues in which each side claims that liberty demands that its side prevail. This course examines the best arguments for each side of the issue, critique them, and considers alternatives.
- [The Great Conversation: Freedom and Equality in American Political Tradition](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-great-conversation-freedom-and-equality-in-american-political-tradition/): This course will examine the concepts of freedom and equality in the American political tradition through a discussion of the Founders' understanding of human equality, the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and Frederick Douglass and freedom in the constitutional tradition.
- [Alexander Hamilton: America’s Political Philosopher](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/alexander-hamilton-americas-political-philosopher/): This course will examine some of Hamilton’s fundamental works — The Federalist Papers, the Pacificus-Helvidius debates, and reports he composed as our nation’s first Treasury Secretary—to familiarize ourselves with his thought, especially on politics and economics. This course goes beyond Hamilton's role as a founding father to understand Hamilton as a political theorist.
- [The Sabbath in Jewish Thought and Literature](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-sabbath-in-jewish-thought-and-literature/): This seminar will explore some of the concepts from which the Sabbath experience is woven—body and soul, labor and leisure, individuality and community, time and eternity, creativity and creaturehood, law and love—as expressed in the Bible, rabbinic thought, poetry, and literature.
- [Reason and Emotion in Jewish Thought](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/reason-and-emotion-in-jewish-thought/): Cultures and thinkers throughout the ages have considered the roles of reason and emotion in human experience and debated which should be given primary importance. This seminar will explore various views and reflect them into experiences of reason and emotion. This seminar continues by considering the merits and drawbacks of the binary of reason versus emotion.
- [The Great Partnership: Science, Religion, and the Search for Meaning – A Study of the Thought of the Late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-great-partnership-science-religion-and-the-search-for-meaning-a-study-of-the-thought-of-the-late-rabbi-jonathan-sacks/): In this course, students read Rabbi Sacks’ book, analyze his arguments, and better appreciate the partnered roles that religion and science play in our lives.
- [Liberal Education and American Democracy](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/liberal-education-and-american-democracy/): This course will take up two related questions: first, what is liberal education, and second, is it possible to get one in the United States? This course considers these questions through a series of foundational texts on education and the regime by political philosophers.
- [Jewish Ideas and the American Founding](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/jewish-ideas-and-the-american-founding/): This course will explore a key aspect of the American story: the interplay between the Hebrew Bible and foundational values of American culture: community, liberty, and equality. We will explore how Hebraic ideas influenced the American Founding, reading selections from the Hebrew Bible alongside Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Madison, Tocqueville, and Lincoln.
- [Fate and Destiny: An Introduction to the Thought of Rav Soloveitchik](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/fate-and-destiny-an-introduction-to-the-thought-of-rav-soloveitchik/): This seminar course serves as an introduction to some of the key concepts of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s worldview: fate and destiny, majesty and humility, the “Torah of the Fathers” and the “Torah of the Mothers,” among others.
- [Creation, Peoplehood, Redemption](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/creation-peoplehood-redemption/): This intensive seminar, grounded in classical and contemporary Jewish sources and texts, seeks to examine the relationship between creation, the meaning of peoplehood (both Jewish and general), and the redemption of humanity and the cosmos in Jewish thought.
- [Freedom & Tradition: Alexis De Tocqueville on How to Live in America](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/freedom-tradition-alexis-de-tocqueville-on-how-to-live-in-america/): This course considers how young people today might thoughtfully approach the particular challenges of American adulthood. Through a reading of selections from Tocqueville's Democracy in America, this course examines how one might take advantage of America's "land of opportunity," while maintaining connections to family and religious tradition.
- [Varieties of Antisemitism](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/varieties-of-antisemitism/): This course examines the various forms of Jew hatred: from anti-Jewish sentiment, racial and ethnic hatred of the Jews, and hatred of the existence of the State of Israel. This course looks at the ways in which these forms of antisemitism have emerged and the historical context and the intellectual factors that have contributed to this form of prejudice.
- [Can Liberty and Order Coexist? A Study of Conservative Liberalism](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/can-liberty-and-order-coexist-a-study-of-conservative-liberalism/): This seminar explores an alternative understanding of liberty that Alexis de Tocqueville called "liberty under God and law." In doing so, this seminar explores an understanding of liberty and human dignity that does justice to the integrity of the human soul and humanizing wisdom that has been passed on to us by our forbearers.
- [People of the Book: Jewish Resistance to the Holocaust](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/people-of-the-book-jewish-resistance-to-the-holocaust/): This course studies the varied approaches of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Topics covered include: the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the legal responsa of Rabbi Ephraim Oshry in Kovno, the fiery sermons of Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira in Warsaw, the Paper Brigade's book smuggling efforts in Vilna, and the Oyneg Shabes collaborative team of historians and leaders documenting life in Warsaw.
- [The History Religious Liberty in America – The Yeshiva University Case](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/the-history-religious-liberty-in-america-the-yeshiva-university-case/): This syllabus unpacks the history of religious liberty in the United States through the context of the Yeshiva University LGBTQ case. Through the study of various source texts, this course hopes to provide a framework through which students can understand the Yeshiva University Supreme Court case and its historic and legal context.
- [A World Shattered and Rebuilt – A Jewish Response to Alan Jacobs](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/a-world-shattered-and-rebuilt-a-jewish-response-to-alan-jacobs/): This syllabus examines Alan Jacob’s The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis, which examined the efforts of Christian thinkers to rebuild after the Second World War. In formulating a Jewish response to Jacob's work, this course seeks to understand how Jewish educational institutions should respond to and rebuild from the Holocaust.
- [What is Modern Orthodoxy Anyway? A Historic, Legal, and Theological Exploration](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/what-is-modern-orthodoxy-anyway-a-historic-legal-and-theological-exploration/): This curriculum seeks to examine Modern Orthodoxy through a study of its historic, legal, and theological origins and unpacks Judaism’s confrontation with modernity, Orthodoxy’s approach to halakha, challenges to Modern Orthodoxy from Conservative Judaism, and the shift of Modern Orthodox congregants to more liberal and conservative forms of Jewish practice.
- [Jews, Power, and Anti-Semitism](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/jews-power-and-anti-semitism/): This curriculum examines the history and current state of antisemitism in order to better understand and combat anti-Jewish hate as it manifests in our world today. With an analysis of perceptions of Jewish power in society, antisemitism's historic contexts, and the development of strategies to combat antisemitism, this course seeks to not only educate its participants in the realities of antisemitism but prepare them to effectively combat it in all forms.
- [Homer and the Hebrew Bible](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/homer-and-the-hebrew-bible/): This curriculum studies the great works of ancient Greece in the context of Jewish thought and the development of western civilization, using as a foundation Jacob Howland’s Mosaic series on Homer and the Hebrew Bible. Topics include: the nature of society, sexuality, humanity and divinity, the individual and heroism, and human emotions.
- [Israel’s Wars](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/israels-wars/): This curriculum examines the history of Israel’s military history in an effort to better understand contemporary Israeli politics and security concerns. Taking a chronological approach, the syllabus begins with an overview of the origins of the IDF and a study of the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars and ends with the Second Intifada and Second Lebanon War.
- [Israel’s Declaration of Independence](https://tikvah.org/collegiate-resource-library/israels-declaration-of-independence/): This syllabus studies the key texts, arguments, and intellectual and historical controversies surrounding the declaration of an independent Jewish state. This course explores some of the great figures—like David Ben-Gurion—who founded modern Israel, and the political ideas and controversies about the nature of the new Jewish state that reverberate to the present day.