Stephanie Z. Bonder, at The Blogs

Sep 1, 2024, 4:34 PM

Dear Hersh, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry we could not save you. I’m so sorry that we couldn’t bring you home. I’m so sorry that our modern state of Israel, our Jewish homeland failed you. I’m sorry that your country of birth, America,...

Aug 27, 2024, 7:03 PM

The same but different

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to come back to Israel. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. I have a tendency to be around the corner from dangerous, life-threatening situations, but I was committed to going. I...

Jun 11, 2024, 7:36 AM

An Open Letter to University Professors

Dear University Professors at Columbia, Penn, NYU, Harvard, etc., I’m asking you to do some homework now that the semester is over. As an educator myself, I always strive to learn something independently when the school year has ended. This...

May 24, 2024, 12:14 AM

Jewish American Heritage Month – An American Dream

In a world in which we see terrible news everyday, we could all use a story of resilience and strength. In these difficult days, we must not forget how Jewish people survive and thrive. Over 140 years ago, my family...

Apr 21, 2024, 5:43 PM

Facing the Constant Accusations Against Israel

Even before October 7th, Israel had been accused of the worst crimes imaginable, but since October 7th, it has continued at a pace that is incomprehensible. One wonders why the country that was invaded by a terrorist group intent on...

Mar 18, 2024, 4:06 AM

#EndTheSilence

On March 11, 2024, I was privileged to represent Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, at the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women. I was part of a delegation of 20 Hadassah women, who participated...

Mar 5, 2024, 12:49 AM

Fascinating and Traumatizing

Fascinating and traumatizing. That’s the world Jews live in today. It is fascinating that although on October 6, 2023, there was a ceasefire with Hamas, Israel is being blamed for the tragedy that ensued on October 7, 2023. It...

Feb 9, 2024, 6:36 PM

The Great Betrayal

It pains me daily to constantly feel betrayed. Betrayed by my country, the United States which was supposed to be the “Land of the Free”. Betrayed by my homeland, Israel, which was supposed to be the place of safety...

Jan 16, 2024, 7:32 PM

Going Home

Late Sunday night, January 14th, I came home from Israel. I had been there for a week, with Hadassah’s One Hadassah, Solidarity Mission of members from the United States and Hadassah International, with members from around the world, to...

Jan 12, 2024, 6:41 PM

Approach of the 100th day…

Memorial to the victims of the Nova Music Festival

Unimaginable. Unbearable. Unbelievable. What other words are there to describe the horror of October 7th? What other words can we find to share the agony of the hostages’ confinement in tunnels, apartments, UNRWA schools, and wherever else they may be...

About Me

Stephanie Z. Bonder is a proud Jew and lifelong Zionist. Stephanie studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for her junior year abroad and is currently pursuing her masters in Jewish Education at the Hebrew University Melton School of Education. In her volunteer hours, she is on the National Board of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America where she currently serves as Chair of the Speakers Bureau and team member of the Education and Advocacy division. Stephanie teaches teens and adults on Jewish Peoplehood, Zionism and current events in Israel through her involvement with the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest and her synagogue, Congregation Agudath Israel. All of her blogs are her own personal opinions and do not represent the organizations with which she is affiliated.

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