Scott Copeland

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Aug 5, 2024, 11:04 PM

Compassion and Homecoming

In discussions of leadership, compassion is often held in disdain. Dismissed as a sign of weakness that will be exploited by detractors and enemies, it is belittled as paltry sentiment at a time when rational and even cruel decision...

May 20, 2024, 2:52 PM

The Golem awake, the Golem amok

A lifeless lump of clay is molded, and sanctified, and animated in gray imitation of the human; a poor, imperfect facsimile of the molding of Adam and Eve. The creature born of magic and mysticism, from the despair of...

Dec 23, 2023, 5:46 PM

The Writing on the Wall – October Sixth Then and Now

October Sixth was a long time ago. Israel was at the end of the holiday season that begins with Rosh Hashana and finishes with Sukkot. Israelis were enjoying trips and outings, family get-togethers and feeling an occasional small discomfort about...

Oct 23, 2023, 9:16 PM

Bloody Sabbath – 7th October 2023

Arise and go now to the city of slaughter; Into its courtyard wind thy way; There with thine own hand touch, and with the eyes of thine head, Behold on tree, on stone, on fence, on mural clay, The spattered blood and dried...

Sep 20, 2023, 8:36 PM

Unexpected Memories of Berlin

Remembering sometimes comes in expected ways. Communities’ sing and pray, build monuments and raise stones, set dates and stand with bowed heads. Remembering sometimes comes unexpectedly. It steals up on you as you pass through a wooded park and...

Jul 25, 2023, 7:44 PM

Suddenly One Arises in The Morning…Not Just Another Tisha B’av

The current heat waving scorching Israel is not the only temperature on the rise. With the Tisha B’Av fast day approaching, the temperature of the Jewish people’s collective memory is ramped up to boiling point. The pain of exile,...

Jun 9, 2023, 6:39 PM

Welcoming Israel: A Blessing for New Jews

In small groups they approached the Torah scroll. Each person read a verse from the weekly portion in a Hebrew that was still a struggle. Most people read in quiet voices that suggested a measure of modesty, a note...

Apr 27, 2023, 1:12 AM

Less Guardians, More Gardeners – Jewish Change and Innovation Through the Ages

It is often said that Judaism is an unbreakable chain that must be preserved and guarded through the ages. If we look at the story of the Jewish people more carefully, surviving and thriving are also about change, reform,...

Mar 15, 2023, 8:45 PM

The Words of the Prophets on a Cardboard Sign

"Damned be those who subvert justice." Deuteronomy 27:20 On Saturday night outside the President’s residence in Jerusalem, I was impressed by a protester bearing a sign with the verse above from Deuteronomy – part of a series of promises that...

Feb 20, 2023, 10:59 AM

Passion and Protest in Times of Trouble

'I have no other democracy.' At the Knesset in February 2023 (Scott Copeland)

“If you continue on the path you are following, you will be responsible for civil war in Israeli society.” Benny Gantz (Times of Israel. 9 January 2023) Israel is a place of fiery passion. It must be. A people that has...

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About Me

Scott is a veteran educator and guide with a great passion for all things Jewish and Israel. He grew up outside of Boston (and still has a profound accent) and made aliyah from Young Judaea in 1987. Throughout his career, Scott has held leadership roles in a wide variety of cutting edge projects and educational institutions. Scott is the Executive Vice President at J² Adventures. J² is a leading travel brand that crafts Jewish educational and experiential journeys to Israel and around the world.