In today’s complex and often overwhelming media landscape, having access to clear, nuanced, and trusted information about Israel and Zionism is more important than ever. That’s why we at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy (CJP) are excited to share that Getting Grounded in Israel and Zionism, a widely acclaimed educational resource from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), is now available on-demand.

Since October 7, this course has reached over 5,000 individuals, with 96% of participants saying the content level was “just right” and 93% finding it politically balanced. Now, with a newly expanded set of online resources—including short videos, a podcast version, and more—it’s even easier for individuals and communities to engage with this critical content at their own pace.

Why This Resource Matters

Understanding Israel’s history, complexities, and role in global affairs is essential, especially for those in leadership, education, and community engagement roles. This course is particularly valuable for educators, school boards, city officials, faith leaders, and community members who seek informed, balanced perspectives on Israel.

One past participant shared:

“Being part of a conversation that explored the complexities of Israel’s past and present with such depth and authenticity was truly refreshing. Rabbi Mike’s expertise and thoughtful insights added immense value to the conversation, and I believe that our Federation greatly benefited from the experience.”

Bringing This Course to Your Community

We encourage you to explore this resource and share it widely. In the coming weeks, JFNA will be adding even more materials, including a downloadable booklet with maps and facilitation guides to bring this course to classrooms, communities, and youth groups.

Visit understandingisrael.org to access the new content. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by news about Israel, this course offers a smart, balanced approach to breaking it all down in just a few hours.

CJP is proud to be part of the JFNA network, bringing valuable educational opportunities like this to our local community. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to deepen your knowledge and engage in meaningful conversations about Israel and Zionism.

Please consider sharing this resource with your networks so that more people can benefit from this essential learning tool. Together, we can foster a well-informed and thoughtful community conversation about Israel and its place in the world.

This post has been contributed by a third party. The opinions, facts and any media content are presented solely by the author, and JewishPhoenix assumes no responsibility for them. MORE