Episode 51: Rabbi Haviva Ner-David on Life and Death in War and Advocating for Peace

Evolve

Rabbi Haviva Ner-David, an activist and author, shares what it is like to live in Israel – and be a parent - right now, with all the heartbreak, confusion and glimmers of hope. In this conversation, the author and spiritual director discusses the personal losses she suffered on October 7 and after (9:18) She also shares anxiety about living in Israel’s north and how and why she’s recommitted herself to interfaith peace activism (22:10) and her work with the Standing Together, the grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace . With views on the conflict becoming ever more entrenched, Ner-David’s perspective is refreshingly iconoclastic. Whatever your perspective, left, right or center, she says something to challenge you.

Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb

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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.

Special Guest: Rabbi Haviva Ner-David.

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Links:

• Reconstructing Judaism joins call for ceasefire, release of all hostages and increase in humanitarian aide to Gaza
• Sign up for Evolve's newsletter to receive exclusive content
• Celebrate 10 years of Rabbi Deborah Waxman's leadership
• Support Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations
• Rabbi Haviva's website
• Rabbi Haviva's memoirs, novels, and more
• Read Rabbi Haviva's February 2024 Evolve Essay, "The Other Side of the Rain: At a Cemetery in the Galilee"
• Read Rabbi Haviva's October 2023 Evolve essay, "Let Not Our Anger Blind Us: Jews and Palestinians in Israel"
• Read Rabbi Haviva's August 2023 Evolve essay, "Standing Together: A Redemptive Vision for Palestinian-Jewish Partnership"
• From JTA: "I’m an Israeli advocate for Israeli-Palestinian coexistence. We’re still in this together."
• From Rabbi Haviva's Times Of Israel blog: "Minding Our Own Business, and that of the Country"
• From Rabbi Haviva's Times of Israel Blog: "This is a Story to Open Your Hearts. Are you Willing?"
• Next Evolve Web Conversation: Against Free Will