Convention 2013: Schedule

The tentative schedule is as follows (subject to change):

Tuesday afternoon, June 25: Minhah for the Seventeenth of Tammuz (6 PM), limmud with Tamar Elad-Appelbaum: "How Will We Sing Songs of Zion in the Land of Zion" (7 PM), ma’ariv featuring innovative paytanim (8:15 PM), break the fast with dinner (8:30 PM).

Wednesday, June 26:

  • T’fillot at Mechon Schechter (7 AM)
  • Limmud with Schechter faculty (9 AM)
  • Brief Business Meeting
  • Reception at the President's Residence
    hosted by President Shimon Peres (11 AM)
  • Visit to the Knesset featuring:
    • Welcome by MK Yuli Edelstein, speaker of Knesset Israel and the Diaspora: Address by MK Naftali Bennett, Minister of Economy, Religious Services and Diaspora Affairs (1 PM)
    • Lunch in Knesset cafeteria (1:45 PM)
    • Small group meetings with MK's (2:45 PM)
      • Israel and the Changing Middle East, with:
        • MK Mickey Levy, Deputy Finance Minister
        • MK Amram Mitzna, Chair, Education Committee
        • MK Elazar Stern (Hat’nuah)
      • Minorities in Israel, with:
        • MK Hamad Amar (Likud Beiteinu)
        • MK Meirav Michaeli (Labor)
        • MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta’al – United Arab List)
      • Religion, State and Jewish Pluralism, with:
        • MK Aliza Lavie, Chair, Committee on the Status of Women
        • MK Dov Lipman, (Yesh Atid)
        • MK Michal Rozin (Meretz)
    • Joint Campaign Reception honoring of Reuven Hammer at the Bible Lands Museum (including tours), Celebration in Honor of 50 Year Rabbis (5:30 PM)
  • Free evening in Jerusalem

Thursday, June 27:

  • T’fillot at Fuchsberg Center (7 AM)
  • Limmud with Conservative Yeshiva Faculty (8:30 AM)
  • Maslulim Focusing on A Variety of Critical Issues Facing Israel Sponsored by Various Organizations: (9:30 AM)
    • Security and Defense (FIDF) including visit to base of Shaked battalion of Givati Brigade, lunch on Army Base and Briefing on Security
    • Social Integration (JDC/JAFI) including visit to a center which is training Haredim to enter the work force and work to integrate other marginal populations
    • Environment and Water Reclamation (JNF) including visit to Sderot Reservoir water reclamation Project and Be'er Sheva River Park
    • Hi Tech (Israel Bonds) including visit to Google's headquarters in Tel Aviv and a behind the scenes tour of high speed Jlm-Tlv train line 
  • BBQ dinner at Fuchsberg Center (7:30 PM)
  • Natan Sharansky: Conversation with the head of the Jewish Agency about the Plans for the Kotel, Jewish Identity of the Jewish State, the Role of Diaspora Rabbis and Other Critical Matters Facing the Jewish People.

Friday, June 28:

  • T’fillot at Robinson’s Arch (7:30 AM)
  • Choice of excursions in and around Jerusalem
    • Herodian and the Israel Museum: The morning will begin with a tour of Herodian, the site of Herod's recently discovered tomb, and conclude at the Herod exhibit in the Israel Museum.
    • Pilgrimage to Mount Zion: We will look at Mt. Zion as a place for religious pilgrimages. Our visit will take us to Zion Gate, King David's tomb, The Room of the Last Supper, Church of the Dormition Abbey and The Holocaust Chamber.
  • Closing Session: Lunch and Learning with MK Ruth Calderon (1 PM)
  • Option to spend Shabbat with Masorti communities in different parts of the country.