Articles

Parashat Kedoshim: Actions Given to the Heart In Parashat Kedoshim, we discover why certain commandments include ‘you shall fear your God—because our true intentions remain hidden from others but never from the Divine. Explore how the concept of “actions given to the heart” challenges us to examine our deepest motivations By Lior Tal Sadeh

The Many Ben-Gurions The many portraits of David Ben-Gurion by artist Pinchas Litvinovsky reveal the contradictory character of Israel’s founding father. “He was a man of the big picture as much as he was a man of the small details,” explains historian Dr. Avi Shilon, whose research illuminates how Ben-Gurion’s complex personality – simultaneously unscrupulous and prophetic – continues to fascinate decades after his tenure By Gilad Halpern

The Unfiltered Voice Despite battles with addiction, mental health challenges, and disillusionment with the industry, Amir Benayoun’s uncompromising artistry continues to captivate Israeli audiences two decades after his breakthrough By BAC Staff

Between Integration and Isolation: German Jewry’s Response to Rising Antisemitism The story of German Jewry is one of profound hope and devastating disappointment. Follow their journey from emancipation and cultural integration to the rise of Nazi persecution, as Professor Guy Miron examines how Jewish communities organized, debated, and struggled to make sense of their rapidly changing reality

The Great Israeli Grill-Off Barbecues with family and friends are Israel's prime Independence Day ritual. Delve with us into the mangal phenomenon that unites a divided nation through charcoal, meat, and excess. More than just a meal, it's a cultural performance that reveals Israel’s relationship with food, gender, and national identity By Dana Kessler

Just Married and Already Widowed David Broza’s heartfelt adaptation of a renowned poem from the Spanish Baroque era, set to Paco Ibáñez’s haunting melody, transformed into a Hebrew ballad that now resonates powerfully on Yom HaZikaron—bridging centuries, cultures, and the shared human experience of loss By BAC Staff

Parashat Shemini: A Deafening Silence From Aaron’s biblical silence to the nationwide standstill during the Holocaust memorial siren – discover how stillness became our most authentic language of grief By Lior Tal Sadeh

Writing Through the Void Bereavement takes many forms, but the experience of losing a sibling often remains in the shadows. This diverse group of bereaved brothers and sisters found healing and connection through the power of writing at Beit Avi Chai’s writing workshop for bereaved siblings By Noa Sorek

An Endless Childhood “A song is a magical cultural capsule. The moment a song comes out, it belongs to the audience no less than its creator,” says Maya Kosover, just before she returns with a second season of “A Song of Longing.” In this series of stage events, she takes musicians on a journey back in time to the roots of their work, promising to bring to light memories, sounds, and stories behind the greatest hits of Israeli music By Noa Sorek

The Art of Balance: Between Revolution and Tradition Dr. Alon Gan recounts the “kibbutz holiday revolution,” talks about the combination of tradition and innovation, and explains why an “exemplary non-failure” is an impressive achievement By Noa Sorek

Parashat Vayikra: Sacrifices and the Psychology of Worship Maimonides offers a profound perspective on the biblical sacrificial system, addressing a fundamental question: Why were sacrifices necessary, and what psychological role did they play? By Lior Tal Sadeh

The Kabbalist Who Tried to Convert the Pope The unbelievable story of Abraham Abulafia – a radical Jewish mystic whose teachings echo from medieval Spain to modern philosophy By Yehonatan Ben Sasson

Sealed With a Diss With Hitler's rise to power, Gandhi proposed to oppose the persecution of the Jews in a nonviolent way. Despite his admiration, Martin Buber sent him an angry letter. This interview with researcher in Indian studies Dr. Shimon Lev, originally published in Hebrew a year before October 7, is more relevant than ever By Naomi Zoreff

Parashat Pekudei: The Ego and Decision-Making Why does Moses need to be told to anoint Aaron’s sons as he anointed their father? Wouldn’t it have been enough just to tell him to anoint them? It might have something to do with the fact that the ego is a fragile thing By Lior Tal Sadeh

Marc Chagall: Jewish Dreamer, Universal Artist This month marks 40 years since the passing of Marc Chagall, one of the XX century’s most distinctive artists whose work continues to captivate audiences worldwide. As we commemorate four decades since his death in March 1985, we reflect on the Jewish heritage that profoundly shaped his artistic vision By BAC staff