The seemingly never-ending flow of information regarding Israel, Hamas and how American Jews and non-Jews are reacting to the events can seem overwhelming to many. To provide a unique perspective, Rabbi Jim Bennett of Congregation Shaare Emeth is hosting a special conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. with Rabbi Naamah Kelman and Elan Ezrachi, on the current situation in Israel.

“This conversation is an update from Jerusalem from Rabbi Kelman and Elan Ezrachi, offering their perspective on what is happening through the eyes of keen observers in Israel. They will also take questions and try to answer to the best of their abilities,” said Bennett.

The Zoom webinar conversation is open to all, but registration for required.

The wife and husband team are very familiar with the St. Louis Jewish community, having spoken at three St. Louis congregations in April as part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the state of Israel.  Kelman was the first woman ordained as a rabbi in Israel, in 1992.

Based in Jerusalem, they have been involved for more than 40 years as professionals and laypeople in critical areas of Jewish life.

Kelman recently retired after serving as the Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem and is the first woman to be ordained as a rabbi in Israel and one of the leaders of the Israeli Reform movement.

Ezrachi, the founding CEO of Masa – Israel Journey, is an educational specialist in the area of Jewish peoplehood and Israel engagement, a community activist in Jerusalem and the recent author of “Awakened Dream – 50 Years of Complex Unification of Jerusalem (in Hebrew).”