Avi Herring


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Avi is a junior at the Columbia University-Jewish Theological Seminary joint program. He is majoring in Middle Eastern studies and modern Jewish studies. He is managing editor of The Current.

 

Articles by Avi Herring

Elective Exile?

Israeli-American Dialogue on Jewish Identity
Avi Herring>>Fri Aug 21, 2009

The tension in the room was palpable as 15 Israeli and American staff members at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin gathered to discuss their Jewish identities. Up for discussion this time: Israeli author A.B. Yehoshua’s controversial 2006 comment that if “in 100 years Israel will exist, and I will come to the Diaspora [and] there will not be ... [any] Jews, I would say it’s normal. I will not cry for it.”

 
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Re-thinking Here and There: Diaspora Education in Israel


Avi Herring>>Mon Jun 8, 2009

The Israeli educational system has historically affirmed the Zionist doctrine that Jews can only live a physically and spiritually secure life in the State of Israel, minimizing successful Diaspora Jewish communities like those in North America. Indeed, a 2005 report conducted by the American Jewish Committee found that only 14% of Israeli high school teachers said the topic of U.S. Jewry had been taught in their schools during the three years preceding the study. This thinking is still influential among many Israelis, but some are gradually favoring a greater understanding of American Jewry.