February 16, 2023

Twenty-five years ago, an American Jew named Lee Gordon and a Palestinian citizen of Israel named Amin Khalaf came up with an idea. Though it seemed crazy, they thought it might work to foster peace and unity. What if Jews and Arabs in Israel attended school together? 

With help from Jewish and Arab parents, Gordon and Khalaf established two preschools, one in Jerusalem and the other in the Galilee. They called their organization Hand in Hand and started with 50 students. Now, over two decades later, they have six schools and communities that serve over 2,000 students throughout Israel.

“We aim to teach our students to think critically, embrace difference, value equality and act as change agents in society.”- Leah Beinhaker

“We aim to teach our students to think critically, embrace difference, value equality and act as change agents in society,” said Hand in Hand’s Director of Resource Development Leah Beinhaker. “We have never strayed from our values and mission no matter which political coalitions have been in power.”

According to Beinhaker, more than 99% of Jewish and Arab children in Israel study in separate schools. There are very few exceptions. 

“Due to these separate tracks, Jewish and Arab children do not have a structured opportunity to meet one another as children or young adults, so long as they are in the school system,” she said. “They also have little opportunity to learn about one another in a way that can dispel stereotypes, allay fears and overcome entrenched divisions in Israeli society.”

At Hand in Hand, Jewish and Arab students learn together starting from Pre-K until 12th grade. At the flagship school, the Max Rayne Hand in Hand Jerusalem School, which was founded in 1998, there are 664 students. Like at all of the schools, students study each other’s languages and learn about their cultures, religions and history. 

Each of Hand in Hand’s six schools – which are located in Jerusalem, the Galilee, Wadi Ara, Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Kfar Saba – is bolstered by a multicultural adult community and partnerships with the municipal and national governments. Along with schooling, the organization provides cultural and social programming. It promotes civic engagement and productive dialogue between Jews and Arabs. 

“With each new student, school, community and public or institutional partner, Hand in Hand builds the foundations for a more equitable, shared society,” said Beinhaker.

Vicky Makhoul, an Arab Hand in Hand graduate who is now studying law at Tel Aviv University, said that going to school through the organization taught her to be open to hearing from others. 

“We live in such a small space, with so much diversity around us, but we fear it because we don’t speak to each other, because we don’t know each other. But I grew up differently, in an environment that really allowed me to speak my voice, to speak my story, but also to be able to be open to others and hear their pain, their joy, their stories and their identity.”

Another Hand in Hand graduate, Jewish student Hagar Mizrahi, echoed a similar sentiment, saying she learned “to always be open to the people I meet and to not judge them before I get to know them.”

According to the principal of Hand in Hand’s Kfar Saba school, Mohammad Kundos, by bringing together Jews and Arabs who will grow up to lead the country in 30 years, they’re coming up with an outside of the box diplomatic solution. 

“There are many streams in our society, and we should look into the underlying fear which leads to this need for societal segmentation,” he said. “Everyone fears losing their own identity, their own existence, their own story. But we offer an alternative, which does not blur the differences between us, but rather places an emphasis on each individual identity. In order to create complex dialogue among students, you must first be honest, and provide the narrative of the other in a clear and responsible manner.”

Steve Spitz was a fan favorite on Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum,” which follows seven people on the autism spectrum as they explore the world of dating. A social butterfly with a kind heart, Spitz, 64, genuinely enjoys giving compliments, spending time with others and making his friends laugh. 

While most of the people on the show were diagnosed with autism in childhood, Spitz was diagnosed later in life. He was also the oldest cast member.  During the show, Spitz went on a couple of dates with two women, but is still searching for his soul mate.

“I haven’t really gone on many dates yet, but I am getting many lovely people coming up to me and cheering me on,” Spitz told the Journal. “Waitresses have given me their phone numbers, and others have approached me. However, they were either too young or just not the right person for me.”

As February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), it’s the perfect time to shed light on Spitz and his quest for love. 

As February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), it’s the perfect time to shed light on Spitz and his quest for love. 

Spitz, who is neurodivergent and requires minimal support, thinks many Jewish people are neurotypical. “What is funny is that I don’t seem to associate neurodiversity with Jewish people,” he said. “I am very happy that there is JDAIM, so that perhaps I can see that there are other people who are Jewish and also neurodivergent.”  

Spitz said he sometimes feels intimidated by the achievements of Jewish people.

“I am Jewish, but I am different,” he said. “I would like to meet other Jewish people who are more like me.”

Spitz likes cars, music (especially The Beatles) and playing with words, names and puns. He describes himself as kind, loving and with good intentions.

“I want to share the great feelings that I am getting from being neurodivergent with someone I love a lot,” he said.

Spitz was born in Los Angeles; his family moved to San Francisco when he was 4 years old. He’s loved his Judaism since he was a child.  “I was raised in a loving, positive Jewish home,” he said. 

Spitz would go with his grandparents to Temple Emanuel in L.A. Once his family moved to the Bay Area, they attended Congregation Beth Shalom in San Francisco. Spitz had his bar mitzvah there, and now goes to the synagogue as an adult.  

“I attend Friday night Shabbat services on a weekly basis,” Spitz said. “I also have private meetings with the rabbi three or four times a year to discuss Torah, the meaning of her sermons and where I am in my life now.”  While he took a 40-year break from weekly Shabbat services, Spitz has always attended High Holy Day services. Even during the pandemic, he attended via Zoom. 

“My personal assistant and I observe Tashlich and I work with my life coach, Elaine Hall, setting goals for the new Jewish year, and letting go of my old limiting habits and beliefs, feelings of regret, etc.  I allow myself to explore through Tashlich each year … Sometimes I am too hard on myself and feel that I messed up so long ago, and my Jewish practices help me to forgive myself and to begin [anew] every Jewish New Year.”

Spitz recalled going to Jewish singles events in his 20s, 30s, 40s and halfway through his 50s. 

“I stopped when I got older because everyone was so young,” he said. “I understand now that I was trying so hard to be someone that I wasn’t and the women that I went for may have not been interested in me.”  

While other women may have shown interest in Spitz, he said he might have looked the other way.  “I regret not being myself then and not being interested in women who might have been on the spectrum,” he said. “Today I see things differently.”  

Being on “Love on the Spectrum” has meant the world to Spitz. 

“It is the first time that I am feeling valued and celebrated for being myself and not having to mask or pretend to be anyone else but myself,” he said. “If anything, I need to give myself credit for this. The seeds for seeing myself in this way have been planted, and I just need to grow with wherever they go.”

When asked what advice he has for others on the spectrum who are looking for love, he said to continue being true to yourself.

“I am now going on that exact road myself,” he said. “I look forward to us all finding true love with someone who loves us for exactly who we are.”

A new video series titled: “If These Stones Could Talk,” brings to life the rich historical, archaeological and ethical lessons of Israel’s past in the hopes that a better understanding of Israel’s history will contribute to a better Jewish future.

Created and hosted by Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, president and Rosh HaYeshiva of Ohr Torah Stone (OTS), a modern orthodox movement of 30 organizations with offices in Israel, U.S., United Kingdom and Germany, the video series has so far released 6 videos with about 40 more in the pipeline.

Nearly every corner of the country holds a wealth of history with hidden messages from thousands of years ago .

“Many look at Israel as a tourist attraction, albeit a very special one, but the truth is that nearly every corner of the country holds a wealth of history with hidden messages from thousands of years ago that deserve our attention,” Rabbi Brander said in a statement. “There is certain fluidity and interaction here between the past, the present and the future that is just begging to be rediscovered.”

Rabbi Brander joined OTS in 2018. Prior to that, he served as vice president for University and Community Life, as well as the inaugural David Mitzner Dean of The Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) at Yeshiva University (YU), where he also taught rabbinic courses at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS).

The videos explore how historical locations in Israel can serve as lessons for Jews around the world and provide a roadmap for a more enlightened Jewish future. Topics of the initial video series include: “A community Built by Unity,” “Elevating the Mundane,” “In Search of Meaningful Prayer,” “A Pilar of Triumph? Or a Warning for the Future,” and “Poisonous Pens and Slanderous Tongues.”

Rabbi Brander explains that many of these sites are located in places that thousands of people walk by each and every day and so many Jews come to visit, but are not given the opportunity to appreciate their deeper meaning or examine their relevance to our lives today.   

“Many look at Israel as a tourist attraction, albeit a very special one, but the truth is that nearly every corner of the country holds a wealth of history with hidden messages from thousands of years ago that deserve our attention. There is certain fluidity and interaction here between the past, the present and the future that is just begging to be rediscovered.

“We live at a time when the Jewish people are becoming more and more fractured,” he continued. “When you study the archaeology, you will see that some of the challenges that we are facing today– whether from the right, left, center; people who support the current Israeli government or those who stand staunchly in opposition – this is not the first time we, as a nation, are having this experience. 

”Generations ago, the Jewish people had these same challenges; sometimes we succeeded in dealing with them and sometimes, tragically, we did not. Visiting these sites and bringing these issues up for communal examination and discussion brings them back into the light for reflection, introspection and hopefully an opportunity to resolve some of our challenges.”

The series is available on the Ohr Torah Stone website (ots.org.il/stones), as well as via Whatsapp and YouTube, where new episodes are posted weekly.

On January 9, Los Angeles Jewish Health celebrated the B’Not mitzvah of four of their residents: Casey Joseph, 69, Judith Karon, 83, Marcia Mass, 81 and Sue Solender, 80. 

“Having bat mitzvah at 83 hit me as a real milestone and a Jewish milestone at that,” Karon told the Journal. “The feeling of inclusion and involvement with my community, and especially my fellow students, meant so very much.”

About 50 friends and family gathered at the synagogue on the Eisenberg Village campus for this rite of passage, typically celebrated by 12 or 13-year-olds. The women read from the Torah, affirming their commitment to Jewish peoplehood.

The event was proof that it is never too late to grow in your faith.

“It was eye opening seeing people who clearly didn’t need to undertake this journey and challenge to pick it up willingly and with full hearts,” Ron Goldberg, rabbi of the Eisenberg Village campus, told the Journal. 

Goldberg taught the students and officiated the ceremony, which was an outgrowth of an adult b’nai mitzvah program he put together with Chief Mission Officer for Los Angeles Jewish Health Rabbi Karen Bender.

In the course of their weekly class work, several ladies pointed out to Goldberg that they never had their own bat mitzvahs. They had a real desire to go through the process and recognize their Jewish roots.

“I was always interested in learning about Judaism, but I was always told ‘no’ because it was something reserved for boys,” Joseph said.

Solender had a similar experience. “When I was in grade school, the Jewish community in my hometown of Minneapolis built a Hebrew school, and I wanted to go, but my mother told me I couldn’t,” she said.

Mass had a very secular upbringing. “I never heard of Hanukkah until I was a teen,” she said. 

When Mass became a teen, she began learning about Judaism. She was married in a synagogue and joined a Reform congregation when she started a family. 

“I had started and not finished bat mitzvah classes in the past,” Mass said. “When my daughter had a near-death experience, I made a promise to myself to have a bat mitzvah for myself. I am thrilled I was able to do it and honestly am proud of myself for doing so.”

The bat mitzvah students met with Rabbi Goldberg weekly. Among the topics discussed were the laws of kashrut, Shabbat, the Jewish calendar and the major holidays. They also learned about rituals, such as lighting candles and tallit.

 “It was a delight and joy to learn with and from the ladies each week,” Goldberg said.

For Karon, having a bat mitzvah strengthened how important Judaism is to her. She feels fortunate to be able to share the experience with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “This truly reinforced the true meaning of L’dor v’dor,” she said.

Not only did Solender enjoy the process, she found it to be a lot of fun. “[It] inspired me to continue my Jewish learning and [I] hope to find more opportunities to do so,” she said.

“I have a feeling of peace within myself that I was able to accomplish this journey.” – Marcia Mass

“I thought it was an amazing experience,” Mass said. “It truly touched me more than I expected it to. I have a feeling of peace within myself that I was able to accomplish this journey.”

During the ceremony, Los Angeles Jewish Health CEO and President Dale Surowitz presented the women with Kiddush cups (a special cup for sanctifying wine). Andrew Berman, chairman of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s board, handed out commemorative certificates to mark the occasion.

“Whether you’re a teenager or a woman somewhat past that, it takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of family and friends and chant words in an unfamiliar language, becoming links in a chain that extends all the way back to Mt. Sinai,” Goldberg said. “I am just thrilled for these women, whose determination and hard work were on display for everyone to see.”