Adult Education Program: Film and Discussions

The Peretz Program Planning Committee is sponsoring a 3-part online program, beginning with a free, online screening of the film Israelism. Please register and watch the film prior to January 21 at 3:00 pm. This is a must-see film that has been canceled and uncanceled on a number of college campuses.

Following your individual screening of the film, join us in a Panel Discussion of the film moderated by New York Times Opinion Writer and Professor Peter Beinart featuring the filmmaker, the co-founder of IfNotNow, and others. Registering to watch the film will automatically register you for the Panel Discussion.

Immediately following the Panel Discussion (or by 4:30 pm), participate in a Zoom discussion with members of the Peretz Community, moderated by Peretz President Emeritus and IfNotNow member Ira Mintz. Please contact Judy Stern or Claudia Farber for the Zoom meeting link. Open to the public.

About Israelism: Israel is central to the political and cultural life of the American Jewish community. But it has also become a deeply divisive subject, as painful generational cracks have emerged within the Jewish community over the Israel-Palestine conflict, inspiring argument, protest and even censorship.

Focusing on the stories of two young Americans raised to defend Israel at all costs, Israelism traces their awakening to Israel’s dehumanization of Palestinians and the ongoing violence of the occupation. The film explores the past, present, and future of the relationship between American Jews and Israel, as growing numbers question whether support for Israel should condition and define their Jewish identity. Featuring a range of American Jewish thinkers, community leaders and activists, Israelism asks how and why Israel became the cornerstone of American Judaism, what the consequences have been, and what will happen as divisions continue to grow.