Come Curious. Leave Wiser.
JCCPGH Israel Engagement Series
This new series, developed by the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, invites participants to go beyond the headlines through dialogue and multiple perspectives featuring leading voices and meaningful community discussion. The series is grounded in the belief that the antidote to polarization is not disengagement, but deeper, more informed engagement. Participants will be encouraged to challenge one another, remain open to perspectives that differ from or directly oppose their own and practice respectful, curious conversation. Through a dynamic mix of live panel discussions, documentary and feature film screenings, interactive workshops and facilitated dialogue, participants will move beyond headlines toward a more nuanced understanding of Israel and the questions it raises today.
We encourage you to come all the sessions if possible
Session 1: U.S.–Israel Relations • March 25
Session 2: Israel’s Geopolitical Outlook • April 15
Session 3: Understanding Israeli Politics • May 18
Session 4: October 7—The Day that Changed Everything
Session 5: Minority Voices—Arab Citizens of Israel After October 7
Session 6: Is Israeli Democracy in Jeopardy?
The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh is committed to a brave, welcoming space for hard conversations about Israel and related issues. This series is educational and nonpartisan; no speaker or program implies endorsement of any political party, candidate, policy, or single viewpoint.
Over the course of the 6-part series, participants will be presented with a wide range of perspectives, some of which they may agree with, and some they may strongly disagree with. That tension is part of the intended learning and ideally will strengthen our communal muscle for constructive dialogue across differences.
If your goal is simply to have your current views reaffirmed, this series may not be for you. If you are willing to engage with new ideas, sit with discomfort, and leave with deeper understanding – and perhaps more questions than answers – we invite you to join us: come curious, engage respectfully, and be open to complexity.
The series will “cover everything under the sun related to Israel, including politics, culture and history,” says Yisrael Klitsner, the moderator of the series. He is a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) who
has deep connections to our community. He and his family lived in Squirrel Hill but returned to Israel after
October 7 so he could rejoin his IDF unit. Klitsner, who has served as Diaspora Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and worked for AIPAC in Israel, is passionate about educating and building community around the state of Israel and its relationship with the United States.
Session 1: U.S.–Israel Relations
Wednesday, March 25 • 7 pm
JCC Squirrel Hill • Katz Theater • $36/person
Join us for a conversation with Bret Stephens, opinion columnist for The New York Times and Jeremy Ben-Ami, President of J Street.
This opening panel of the Israel Engagement Series will delve into the foundational pillars of bipartisan support for the U.S.–Israel relationship, while addressing the emerging threats it faces from both American and Israeli political landscapes.
The discussion will also explore strategies to preserve this vital alliance in an increasingly polarized environment. Ben-Ami and Stephens, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience along with their differing ideological perspectives, will contribute to what promises to be a dynamic and enlightening conversation.
