Know your story
In today’s world, ignorance can be expensive. Don’t let others own your story. Invest time in knowing where you are from. Forget whether you are religious or secular, observant or an atheist. Confidence comes from knowledge.
Animations
Worth a watch: educational animations from the Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust.
Helpful Resources
Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East
In Six Days of War, Michael Oren recounts the dramatic 1967 conflict that secured Israel’s survival and reshaped the Middle East, with consequences that continue to influence the region today. Drawing on newly available primary sources, he uncovers fresh insights into the war’s military, political and diplomatic history, including several near-catastrophic events that remained hidden for decades.
Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor
Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor is Yossi Klein Halevi’s deeply personal attempt to bridge the divide between Israelis and Palestinians. Through a series of letters, he explores the conflict from an Israeli perspective while acknowledging Palestinian suffering and longing for reconciliation. Drawing on history, faith, and personal experience, Halevi seeks greater understanding between two peoples shaped by fear, loss, and competing hopes.
The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace
The Missing Peace is Dennis Ross’s candid insider account of the Middle East peace process from 1988 to the collapse of negotiations in 2001. Drawing on his experience as a chief US peace negotiator, Ross takes readers behind the scenes of pivotal events and negotiations, examining the personalities, decisions and political pressures that shaped the process and why lasting peace proved so elusive.
The Zionist Ideas: Visions for the Jewish Homeland―Then, Now, Tomorrow (JPS Anthologies of Jewish Thought)
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth offers an accessible chronological account of Israel’s history, from Biblical times to the present day. Combining historical context with personal stories, Noa Tishby explores the country’s creation, culture and continuing political disputes while addressing common misconceptions and providing context for many of the controversies surrounding modern Israel.
My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel
My Promised Land is Ari Shavit’s deeply personal exploration of Israel’s history, identity and the development of Zionism. Drawing on historical sources, interviews and his own family story, Shavit examines the ideals, conflicts and contradictions that have shaped the country, using pivotal events from its past to explore the challenges facing Israel and questions about its future.
The Prime Ministers
The Prime Ministers is Yehuda Avner’s insider account of Israeli politics and diplomacy, drawing on his experience advising four Israeli prime ministers. Through first-hand accounts of pivotal military operations, peace negotiations and political decisions, Avner offers a revealing portrait of Israel’s leaders and the personalities, rivalries and events that shaped the country’s history.
Defending Identity: Its Indispensable Role in Protecting Democracy
Defending Identity explores the relationship between democracy, national identity and political freedom in the modern world. Drawing on his experience as a Soviet dissident, Natan Sharansky argues that strong national, religious or cultural identities can reinforce democratic societies, challenging the idea that abandoning such identities is necessary for tolerance and political stability.
