HDNA and Progressive Israel Network Support Van Hollen Amendment Preventing the Use of US Funding for Illegal Annexation

The following joint statement was issued by eight members of the Progressive Israel Network: Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Habonim Dror North America, J Street, the New Israel Fund, Partners for Progressive Israel, Reconstructing Judaism,and T’ruah:

As progressive organizations committed to supporting democracy and equality in Israel and a just and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians, we have made clear our staunch opposition to any unilateral Israeli annexation of occupied territory in the West Bank. Such a move would violate international law and severely imperil Israel’s future as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people. It would aim to permanently relegate the Palestinians to life in disconnected enclaves without independent statehood or basic civil rights. 

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Ma’apilimot Seminar 2020

Ma’apilimot Seminar is a time for ma’apilimot from all the machanot to gather before the summer to make plans and learn together. This year, Ma’apilimot Seminar will be an online event as we continue to prioritize safety and health during the coronavirus pandemic. Peulot will take place between Friday, May 22 and Sunday, May 24. 

Register and View Schedule Here!
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HDNA Alumni in Israel: Facing Coronavirus as a Movement

We are pleased to invite you to join us for a panel discussion on how HDNA alumni and friends have been facing the coronavirus crisis in Israel! HDNA Workshoppers and alumni are leading inspiring efforts to provide mutual aid and youth movement education in an isolating time. They will report on how it’s all going, and address the question: How do we build a just Israeli society while meeting its needs during a time of crisis?

WHAT: Panel on HDNA alumni and friends coronavirus response in Israel
WHO: HDNA ma’apilimot, bogrimot, and parents
WHEN: Monday, May 11, 2pm ET, 11am PT, 9pm Israel

REGISTER HERE!

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#HaboDraws Coloring Book

Click the link to check out the whole coloring book!

While you’re stuck inside, check out this coloring and games book compiled by leaders from all of the Habonim Dror countries around the world! You can color and connect without being glued to your screen, and learn some movement history while you’re at it. A HUGE thank you to Becky Tuck and our friends in Habonim Dror United Kingdom (HDUK) for their quick thinking and action on this amazing shared project! Kol ha’Kavod and Aleh v’Hagshem!

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Progressive Israel Network Calls on Israeli Government to Rescind Its Deportation Order Against HRW’s Omar Shakir

As American Jewish organizations deeply concerned about the future of Israel’s democracy, we are disturbed and saddened by the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court to uphold the Israeli government’s order to deport Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch’s Israel and Palestine Director.

Human Rights Watch plays an integral role in documenting and opposing human rights abuses wherever they take place around the world. Allowing human rights organizations like HRW to engage in this work is crucial for any democratic society. The Supreme Court’s decision helps fuel the Israeli right’s widening campaign of incitement and suppression against those who research and oppose the injustices of the occupation. It sets an unacceptable precedent for all groups and activists engaged in this essential work — whether Israeli citizens or non-citizens, Jewish or non-Jewish. As 23 Israeli civil society organizations wrote, the decision to allow for the deportation of Omar Shakir “severely harmed us all.”

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The beauty of listening to the other – reflections on Yitzchak Rabin Memorial Day

Last week, HDNA took a leading role in Remember the Murder, Stand up for Democracy, a coalition of Jewish and Zionist groups in New York City that came together to commemorate the anniversary of the murder of Yitzchak Rabin. The event welcomed participants from across the political spectrum for a rare and important chance for dialogue, a way to commemorate and resist the incitement that led to Rabin’s death. Below is the text of a speech read at the event by HDNA’s own Sadie Fowler (WS 68), which she read at the close of the event. 

Last year I was in Israel on a gap year program with Habonim Dror called Workshop. I spent the year living out my values of socialism and Shivyon Erech HaAdam, or equality of human value, with my kvutza (group). While I was volunteering at a youth movement center, I got to participate in Asepha Isarelite, together with other youth movement members. 

Asepha Israelite was an amazing experience for me. When I first got there, I was immediately overwhelmed because there were so many people. All of the youth movements in Israel had chanichim there. The sixteen of us from Workshop got separated into different circles. Each circle aimed to have people from each movement there. Every circle was tasked with debating a topic about Israeli society and coming to a common decision among them. 

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HDNA’s 2018-2019 Annual Report

Check out what Habonim Dror North America chaverimot have been up to this year in our annual report. Thousands of participants engaged at ken events across North America, a thriving teen activism program, and trailblazing Progressive Labor Zionist education…the stories are all inside. Happy reading!