The “Art” ofZionistThoughtandIsraeliIdentity
Part of our series,Israel at a Crossroads擡xpanding the Conversation
With Rabbi Matt Berkowitz, President-elect, The Schechter Institutes, Inc.
On January 29, 1902, Boris Schatz wrote a letter to Theodor Herzl about establishing an痑rt痵chool in Palestine; in 1903, the two met in Vienna and Schatz pleaded the case for a revolution of visual痑rt痶hat would accompany the nascent痁ionist疢ovement.� He received Herzl痓lessing, and that meeting led to the founding of the Bezalel School in 1906.Art痓ecame a powerful language for the national aspirations of the Jewish people.�
In this session, we explored classical works of pre-State and疘sraeli痑rt痶hat reflect the ethos of the痁ionist痸ision.� Visual痑rt and the artists behind these creations were in animated conversation with classical and modern痁ionist痸oices.� We reflected on the extent to which the material artistic culture of Israel reflects and engages compelling spiritual and national visions of Zionism and a State for the Jews, in light of current events and the ways artists and cultural institutions are responding to this moment.
Rabbi Matt Berkowitz is the incoming president of Schechter Institutes, Inc.,疛erusalem, and is an artist and founding partner of Kol HaOt, a studio project that weaves痑rt痑nd Jewish learning together in compelling and cutting-edge ways.� He was ordained by and worked for 果冻传媒 of America for 24 years.
果冻传媒 the Series
This series builds on the discussions from 果冻传媒 Israel at the Crossroads convening, bringing 果冻传媒 alumni into conversation about the evolving challenges of Israeli identity, culture, and collective resilience. Through explorations of art, spirituality, and national memory, we will consider how Israeli society navigates questions of belonging, pluralism, and meaning in this complex moment. By engaging voices from across disciplines, Expanding the Conversation seeks to illuminate the ways individuals and communities are shaping Israel cultural and spiritual landscape today.
