Jewish Activists Gathering In Budapest To Discuss Balancing Jewish And Global Needs

 

By Mel Fabrikant for The Paramus Post

 

 

 

Between Tribal & Global

Scores of young Jewish social justice and environmental activists from across the globe will come together this month in Budapest to explore the connections between their commitment to supporting the Jewish community and their passion for helping the wider world.

More than 70 young Jewish activists and leaders from Europe, Israel and North America will convene in Budapest June 9-11 for “From Me to We- Between Tribal & Global,” a gathering designed to explore the creative tension between particularism and universalism. Together with an impressive array of thinkers and visionaries, participants will address issues such as balancing community resources between Jewish and global causes and addressing collective Jewish needs without sacrificing global concerns. The gathering will also focus on Jewish identity in the 21st century; the future of Jewish communities; and whether the Jewish people can make a unique impact on the pursuit of a more just and green world.

Selected from a pool of 120 highly qualified applicants, these leading activists will network to create new global partnerships and promote this provocative dialogue in Eastern and Central European Jewish communities. They will also tap into the collective wisdom of the event’s dynamic participants in order to help design event workshops and discussions.

“As the tension between universalism and particularism is as old as the Jewish people itself, we will explore this dilemma to add a deeper layer to the conversation and tie it back to our Jewish heritage and activism,” said Limor Friedman, who with Tamas Buchler organized From Me to We.

“When people hear about the Hungarian Jewish community, they often connect it with the Holocaust and growing anti-Semitism,” added Buchler. “However, beyond these headlines, Budapest is one of the most exciting Jewish communities in Europe: a regional hub for innovation and revival. The "From Me To We" event is an amazing opportunity for our community to get involved in the global Jewish dialogue on social justice.”

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