This coming weekend, the Ezra youth movement will mark its annual “Shabbat of Unity,” themed “And They Faced Each Other as Brothers,” following last week’s Shabbat of Unity for the Bnei Akiva youth movement. As part of the event preparations, the movement is organizing a series of meetings with representatives from diverse groups within Israeli society. These meetings aim to create meaningful dialogue that acknowledges both similarities and differences among the groups. The Shabbat event will be held at Ezra branches across the country, focusing on fostering connections and strengthening dialogue as part of the movement’s vision of building a genuine Israeli covenant.
“Listening and Understanding Diversity”
Liran Gross, Secretary-General of the movement, emphasized the importance of recognizing diverse voices within society: “Our goal is not only to find commonalities but also to learn to listen and understand what divides us, in order to build a shared future together.” Gross highlighted the challenges currently facing Israeli society and the importance of genuine dialogue to ensure and strengthen the Israeli covenant.
Meetings with Diverse Groups: From Hashomer Hatzair to Ultra-Orthodox Leaders
As part of the preparations for Shabbat of Unity, the Ezra movement hosted prominent figures from diverse backgrounds, including Boaz Kitain from Hashomer Hatzair in Neve Shalom, Yael Gadinyan, a social activist, and Ben Kness, the former head of the Jerusalem preparatory academy. In the coming weeks, additional meetings are planned with key figures from the ultra-Orthodox sector.
Meaningful Dialogue Despite Differences
Gross added that the meetings provide opportunities for meaningful dialogue, even when significant gaps in worldview exist. “It doesn’t mean we need to agree on everything, but it’s important to listen, understand, and respect different opinions,” he explained.
According to Gross, these discussions equip the movement’s youth with tools to shape their own worldview and express it in a way that unites all segments of Israeli society.
