Avital Hochstein, at The Blogs

Apr 20, 2018, 2:43 AM

Israeli and Diaspora Jews are siblings living in very different homes

A scene from Israel's opening 70th anniversary celebrations at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, April 18, 2017 (GPO screenshot)

It's as if Diaspora Jews can't break out of living at home, and Israeli Jews, having moved out, face new challenges

Jan 18, 2017, 2:10 PM

The slippery slope from fear to evil: Reflections on Parashat Shemot

The first chapter of Sefer Shemot contains an important lesson for society: Evil can be perpetrated more easily by a group than by an individual. The chapter sounds this warning: The evil of a decree doesn't keep people from...

Oct 25, 2015, 1:40 PM

Arab caregivers in our children’s schools — an Israeli-Jewish reflection

Some parents have called for the firing of Arab caretakers from our children's schools. I understand the fear. Yet, I refuse to be quiet -- reflections regarding a challenging Israeli-Jewish conversation. The violence of the past weeks in Israel has been...

About Me

R. Avital Hochstein: Hartman Institute & Mechon Hadar - Avital Hochstein is a teacher and researcher. She is the Mechon Hadar Israel - Director, and a 'Maskilot' fellow at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Co-authored "Women Out Women In – The Place of Women in Midrash" (published in 2008) with Prof. Chana Safrai. Currently pursuing her PhD on issues of Talmud and Gender.