The “Star, Stripes and Magen David” exhibit takes a fascinating look into the lesser-known pre-State history of Israel and the vital contribution of US Jewry to the early Jewish settlement.
The exhibit, made possible by the generosity of the Ruderman Foundation, opened at the Knesset Building in May 2016 with a host of dignitaries in attendance, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, MK Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, and former US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro.
The exhibit was also on display at the University campus gallery.
The Ruderman MA Program for American Jewish Studies was founded with a fervent mission to bridge the gap between Israeli and American Jewish communities and strengthen ties between Israel and U.S. Jewry. “As we move into a new political era, it is more important than ever for Israelis and American Jews to try to better understand each other and treat each other with mutual respect,” notes Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Despite the differences between American Jews and Israelis, the two communities are intimately connected as the two largest Jewish communities in the world, which mutually benefit each other.”
Several years ago, while reading about the Knesset Caucus for US-Israel Relations, an initiative of the Ruderman Foundation, Prof. Gur Alroey realized that Americans knew much more about Israel than Israelis knew about American Jewry. He envisioned an academic program that could be an agent for change in improving understanding between the world’s largest Jewish communities. “I believe that the Israel-American Jewish relationship is paramount to the building of a strong and prosperous Israel and this link is largely dependent on a well-informed Israeli public,” asserts Prof. Gur Alroey, currently Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Founder and Director of the Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies.
The Ruderman Program is now enrolling its seventh cohort and is one of the fastest growing master’s programs at the university. It attracts civic leaders, professionals from philanthropic and non-profit organizations, journalists and highly qualified graduate students from all over Israel. The Program’s notable alumni include Rabbi Doron Peretz, Head of the Mizrachi World Movement, Vered Israely, Director of the Boston-Haifa Partnership of Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) in Israel, and Savion Medaleion, Chief of Staff for the World Chairman of Keren Hayesod.
American Jews are the most important players
in the battle for Israel’s security. Yet their
support for (Israel) isn’t as assured as
it was in the past… This is one of the
greatest threats facing Israel’s security.
- Jay Ruderman, President of the
Ruderman Family Foundation
The MA Program, the only such program in Israel, combines multidisciplinary studies on American Jewish history, Jewish life, American Jewish identity and American attitudes towards Israel with an educational tour to New York. During the 10-day trip to the US, what Prof. Alroey affectionately calls a “reverse Birthright” trip, Israeli participants have opportunities to meet and talk openly with American Jewish students and Jewish community leaders. Alroey explains that the study tour is having a demonstrable impact on the program participants and elevating Israeli public discourse.
“Armed with first-hand experiences and in-depth knowledge about American Jewish history, our students – tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers – are better equipped to strengthen and promote long-lasting bonds between the two communities,” says Alroey. In addition, the Ruderman Program promotes academic research on American Jewry, creating a knowledge base for decision makers, opinion leaders, policy makers, professionals and for all those who take part in the public discourse in Israel. The program partners with Prof. Pamela Nadell, Director of the Jewish Studies Program at American University (AU) in Washington DC, on a variety of academic projects including the 10-day study tour to the US.
The Ruderman Foundation is a family run philanthropic organization. With operations in Boston and Israel, the foundation focuses on two main areas: disabilities advocacy and bridging the Israel- Diaspora gap with a focus on American and Israeli Jews. “Part of my philosophy in philanthropy is always looking for a void,” explains Jay Ruderman. “I believe in the road ‘less traveled by’.” Shira Ruderman, Executive Director of the Foundation, adds, “We recognize today that our Jewish communities and the State of Israel are in a complex situation and it calls for action, and I think we need brave action.” The charitable efforts led by the Rudermans have gained international recognition, with The Jerusalem Post tapping Jay Ruderman among its 50 most influential Jews in 2016. The couple received honorary doctorates from the University of Haifa in 2015 for their visionary and philanthropic leadership and were recently awarded the Jacob Rader Marcus Award from the American Jewish Archives organization.
Future plans for the Ruderman Program for Jewish American Studies include opening a PhD Program and building a virtual library. A postdoctoral fellowship is also being sponsored. “What started out as an academic partnership has bloomed into a unique relationship between philanthropy and academia,” adds Alroey.
Shira and Jay Ruderman (center) with the first cohort of Ruderman scholars in 2012.