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Shabbat Potluck Dinner & Discussion with Tal Shalev
Power & Politics: Israel at a Crossroads – A Conversation with Israeli Journalist Tal Shalev
SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All in partnership with J Street
6:30 PM – Shabbat Blessings and Vegetarian Potluck Dinner
7:00 PM – Program
Israel is often described as “being at a crossroads” but at this moment, it feels particularly true. Israelis are grappling with the emotional impact of October 7 and the fact that 59 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. Two and a half years after an attempted judicial overhaul, right-wing extremists and an emboldened Netanyahu are still pursuing a war-at-all-costs and an anti-democratic agenda. Fanned by global trends towards fascism and extremism, Israeli leaders are moving forward with annexation in the West Bank. With elections on the horizon (October 2026), those of us who care about Israel and democracy watch with bated breath to see what will be Israel’s future direction.
Join Israeli journalist Tal Shalev for a briefing about some of the political realities and power dynamics on the ground in Israel. Tal Shalev is the chief political correspondent and analyst for Walla! News – one of Israel’s largest websites that provides independent breaking news and analysis 24 hours a day. Tal has over 15 years of an extremely varied and rich career in journalism, including at Israel’s HaAretz daily newspaper and i24 News, and regularly appears on TV and Radio providing commentary and analysis.
We believe that our community is made stronger when we can connect with and learn from diverse viewpoints. For the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, our intention through programming and speakers is to present voices that promote reflection, exploration, respectful dialogue, and robust engagement. A speaker’s presence at SAJ does not signal endorsement beyond our belief that the speaker will add value to the conversation and learning.