ELI Talks

ELI Talks

ELI Talks cultivates role models; raises up examples of Judaism’s relevance to the big and small issues of our lives, and transmits inspired Jewish ideas to people everywhere through a curated digital media canon that speaks directly to the hearts and the minds of our viewers. We can learn from trained speakers from diverse Jewish backgrounds on a singular platform, giving us access to individuals who have thought through and found inspiration for our modern lives and created a bridge across the religious and demographic spectrums of Judaism. This library of resources challenges each of us to find answers and our own path within our tradition. The collective catalog of diverse speakers energizes, cross-pollinates, and inspires the entire spectrum of Jewish observance while acting as a model of what is possible when people are willing to tell and listen to our stories. Through the documentation of today’s Judaism, ELI provides a guiding resource for a dynamic and vibrant Judaism tomorrow.

  1. Israelis And Americans - A New Paradigm Of Interdependence

    30-11-2018

    Israelis And Americans - A New Paradigm Of Interdependence

    You thought bridging the gap between Israelis and Americans was difficult? "I thought I was being friendly. It turns out I was being a nudnick. I thought I was building bridges--turns out I was just putting up walls, things got super uncomfortable." Rabbi Amitai Fraiman proposes a way of understanding and reorienting the American-Israeli relationship. What do you think, Achi? Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, born and raised in Jerusalem, currently lives in NYC with his wife, Michal, and two daughters- Mia and Yahli. Spending time with family and friends, hiking, and music are his favorite activities. Before moving to the US, Amitai studied at Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa, served as an IDF Tank Commander and completed with honors his BA in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at the IDC Herzliya. While at Herzliya, Amitai and Michal were sponsored to live in an underserved community and volunteer with local youth and their families. Since moving to NYC, Amitai received his rabbinic ordination from YCT Rabbinical School as well as his dual Masters in Public Administration and Hebrew and Judaic studies from NYU. Amitai has designed and executed innovative educational curricula, spirituality retreats, ceremonies as well as a unique baby-girl naming ritual. Currently, Amitai is developing שָׁזוּר/Interwoven, a “reverse-Birthright-like” organization aiming to introduce Israelis and Americans to the building blocks and specific contexts of Jewish life in America. שָׁזוּר/Interwoven is an independent initiative fiscally sponsored by the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, with the ultimate goal of creating the conditions for a more productive relationship between the two epicenters of world Jewry.

    11 min
  2. Mastering the Pivot: The Art of Jewish Parenting

    30-11-2018

    Mastering the Pivot: The Art of Jewish Parenting

    So many parents believe that if they were simply consistent with their children that everything would be perfect. But parenting coach Dana Hirt wants us to contemplate a different idea--one founded in a Judaism that builds compassionate, resilient, good human beings. Dana Hirt is the founder of Dana Hirt Parenting, a parenting education and coaching service that offers parents, both new and experienced, concrete skills and personalized guidance and support. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education in Human Development and Learning from DePaul University and The Institute for Psychoanalysis, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Psychology from Brown University. She brings 28 years of experience in the field of educational psychology in clinical, school and private practice settings, and the wisdom of 24 years of parenting to her parent coaching work. Dana has taught in the classroom, consulted with parents, worked one on one with students in private practice, partnered with therapists and other allied professionals, advocated in schools, and led parent workshops. She writes a parenting blog which you can find on her website, http://danahirtparenting.com, and contributes to Huffington Post online. Dana is actively involved in the Jewish community in Chicago serving as the Partnership Together Chair for The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, as a trustee of The Jewish Women’s Foundation, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School. She is the grateful and proud mother of three adult children, ages 24, 21 and 19.

    10 min

Info

ELI Talks cultivates role models; raises up examples of Judaism’s relevance to the big and small issues of our lives, and transmits inspired Jewish ideas to people everywhere through a curated digital media canon that speaks directly to the hearts and the minds of our viewers. We can learn from trained speakers from diverse Jewish backgrounds on a singular platform, giving us access to individuals who have thought through and found inspiration for our modern lives and created a bridge across the religious and demographic spectrums of Judaism. This library of resources challenges each of us to find answers and our own path within our tradition. The collective catalog of diverse speakers energizes, cross-pollinates, and inspires the entire spectrum of Jewish observance while acting as a model of what is possible when people are willing to tell and listen to our stories. Through the documentation of today’s Judaism, ELI provides a guiding resource for a dynamic and vibrant Judaism tomorrow.