Kadimah 2026

Most people think Zionism is about sovereignty, security, and political identity — but political Zionism is only one part of a much wider story. From Hasidic thought to secular cultural renewal, from early socialist idealism to the writings of thinkers like Ahad Ha’am, Martin Buber, Rav Kook and others, Zionism has always been a laboratory for exploring what a Jewish collective can become. This session opens up the broader spiritual, cultural, and philosophical currents that shaped Israel and continue to animate it today. By widening the lens, we discover resources within the Zionist canon that can help us move beyond the current crisis and imagine a richer future for Jewish life.

What really drives a group and the people in it? In this session, we’ll break down what makes groups tick: who takes charge, who follows, and why. Through real-life stories from politics, the army, and everyday communities, we’ll explore how personal goals, power dynamics, and relationships shape a group’s culture - and how to identify the movers and shakers behind the scenes.

As Israel faces major challenges at home and abroad, crucial questions are shaping the national conversation. Explore the issues that matter most to Israeli voters and what they reveal about the future of the Jewish state.

Israel’s political arguments aren’t just about laws — they’re about identity, fear, and the sense that different groups are living in different countries. What happens when democracy becomes the place where we fight instead of the place where we meet? Drawing on my work as co-director of Siach Shalom — an organization that works closely with the President of Israel and has convened confidential, behind-the-scenes conversations with senior political, religious, and civil-society leaders from every part of Israeli society — I’ll share what I’ve seen from inside the rooms where people try to rebuild understanding. Along the way, we’ll look at how Jewish sources imagine disagreement (machloket) not as a threat, but as something that can strengthen a community when handled well. Together we’ll explore what it might take for Israel to create a shared civic language strong enough to hold real differences.

Crossing the Line: Antisemitism vs. Legitimate Criticism of Israel is an interactive session that equips participants to recognise antisemitism in its classical, denial, and anti-Zionist forms, and to distinguish it from legitimate criticism of Israel. Using the 3D Test (Demonisation, Delegitimisation, Double Standards) alongside real-world examples, we will unpack common manifestations of antisemitism and explore what Zionism and anti-Zionism actually mean. The second half is practical: participants will learn the A.R.M. method (Address, Reframe, Message) and workshop responses to some of the most challenging rhetoric circulating today.

Hear Baruch speak about his experience of serving as a Chief Battalion Medic in the Paratroopers, overseeing operational medical care to over 700 soldiers.

This session will explore the unique experiences and insights gained from leading delegations of Members of Parliament, journalists, and public figures to Israel in the aftermath of October 7. We’ll discuss how the attacks reshaped the region’s narrative, the emotional impact on visitors, and the broader implications for international engagement and policy.

For many, Israel has been understood as a response to antisemitism — a place where Jews could live with safety and dignity. After October 7th, Israel’s strength and self-defense were crucial — but something else became impossible to ignore. The passion, determination, and courage that poured out of Israeli society, especially from a younger generation often dismissed as distracted or disconnected, showed that Israel is about something bigger. The intense reactions this sparked around the world revealed a deeper story. In this session, we’ll ask: What larger meaning and purpose can Israel offer today? Drawing on experiences working closely with leaders and thinkers in Israel, I’ll share how the conversation about the long-term meaning of October 7th is unfolding — and what it might mean for the future.