Bavli-Yerushalmi

The Bavli-Yerushalmi project aims to introduce an ancient-new paradigm for Israel-Diaspora relations. The purpose of the project is to create a shared Jewish language grounded in classic Jewish texts, and to nurture a generation of leaders who will speak this language.  Ultimately, this cadre of leaders will forge a new path, as they introduce the new vocabulary and the conceptual consensus embodied therein into the political and spiritual culture of the Jewish people.

Although Jews of diverse countries, cultures and generations differ in many ways, they are all heirs to the treasures that we call the Jewish bookshelf – the Tanach, Rashi, Rambam, the Siddur, and much, much more. Bavli-Yerushalmi seeks to ground a broad-based dialogue in our common Jewish sources and to use terms emanating from our shared Jewish traditions to fundamentally alter the way we discuss major issues confronting the Jewish people.

Over the years, this project has developed several parallel Batei Midrash (learning centers) in North America and Israel.  Together, the students in these centers  selected themes for joint study, critique and interpretation. Throughout the year, the groups communicated via email to compare their thoughts and experiences.  These partnerships culminated in annual meetings of both communities, held in one of the learning centers, where participants engaged in face-to-face dialogue on the year’s learning.  In addition, the groups each held summer retreats in a different Eastern Europe city, so that members of a third community could enrich the study experience.  Today, the entire foundation of the Bavli-Yerushalmi project is being expanded to include young Jewish leaders from communities around the world – both those that are well established and those that are enjoying a renaissance of Jewish life.

The Bavli-Yerushalmi project draws on one of the most exciting cultural models in Jewish history: the ancient, active dialogue carried out between the Jewish communities of Eretz Yisrael and Babylon (Bavel) to interpret the text of the Mishna (Oral Law).  This creative intellectual interaction, in which autonomous communities engaged in a joint enterprise produced the Bavli and Yerushalmi Talmud (the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds), is as relevant and applicable today as it was two thousand years ago.

The vehicle for achieving this will be joint learning between Jews from around the world and Jews from Israel.  The first step in the long-term process of creating a shared vocabulary and deeper mutual understanding between varied and geographically distant Jewish communities will be an encounter among a hand-selected group of young leaders from Israel, the U.S., Canada, the former Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe.  At the center of the meeting, which will take place on Motzei Shabbat, 4 Adar 5766 (4 March 2006) will be the study of various texts that will guide the participants as they assume a reciprocal responsibility for Tikkun Olam and a common concern for the future of Jewish Peoplehood.  The discussion that will arise at the encounter and during successive months will give rise to a long-term project, building on the monumental successes of the Israel Forum, Moriah Conferences and the Young Leadership Forum of the Jewish Agency.