Z3 Project

06/19/2026

Why was Korach remembered as a villain if his argument contained an element of truth? The Torah teaches us that the issue was not disagreement itself, but what the disagreement was serving.

From Moses to the founders of modern Israel, our history shows that strong societies are built not by eliminating differences, but by ensuring those differences remain in service of a shared people.

Read this week’s Weekly Zionist here:

https://vist.ly/58dzs

06/19/2026

Israel education has created meaningful trips, programs, speakers and learning experiences. But when Israel becomes the responsibility of one staff member or department, the rest of the institution can remain untouched.

In a new op-ed for eJewishPhilanthropy, Z3 Director of Content and Leadership Dror Stein argues that Israel and Jewish Peoplehood must be woven into the institution as a whole—from its mission and staff culture to its curriculum, leadership, physical space, budgets and community engagement.

Drawing on the evolution of the Z3 Leadership Lab and lessons from more than 350 professionals, Dror makes the case for moving beyond standalone Israel programming toward institutional design.

Read “Beyond Israel programming: The case for institutional redesign.”

For decades, the North American Jewish community has invested enormous resources into what became known as “Israel education.” Younger Jews were growing more distant from Israel, so institutions, educators and funders responded with seriousness and creativity. Immersive trips, campus initiatives...

06/18/2026

Here are 10 iconic places to visit when you’re in Israel to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and share a meal outdoors with a picnic.

Israel is a country of extraordinary natural beauty — from desert canyons and hidden waterfalls to lush forests, Mediterranean gardens, and vibrant city parks. Some of the best moments are the simplest: laying down a blanket, sharing a meal, and enjoying the landscapes that make Israel so unique.

Which place is your favorite spot for a picnic in Israel?

Let us know in the comments and share this with someone you’d love to explore the country with.

06/17/2026

Nadav Eyal — Israeli journalist and leading commentator, raises a challenging and deeply relevant question for our time: What happens when attacking Jews who identify as Zionists becomes a pathway to political influence?

History reminds us that using Jews as a political target is not a new phenomenon. The concern today is whether we are witnessing a return to patterns that have appeared throughout history, now taking on new forms in modern political discourse.

Do you agree or disagree with Nadav’s perspective? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments.

Watch the full conversation from the Z3 Conference now on our YouTube page.

06/16/2026

For generations, Jews ended the Seder with the words, “Next year in Jerusalem.” But now that Jewish sovereignty is no longer just a dream, the question becomes: what does it demand of us?

In Islands of Sovereignty, Amitai Fraiman explores a powerful idea: the future of Jewish life will not be built by simply consuming Jewish experiences, but by taking responsibility for one another and becoming active builders of our communities.

Read the full essay on Jewish Priorities — link in first comment. 👇

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

In Parshat Shlach, the spies return with facts: giants, fortified cities, and real danger.

Their mistake was not that they saw the danger. Their mistake was that they allowed danger to define the future.

“We were in our own eyes like grasshoppers,” they say. The line reveals the deeper struggle. Fear had become more than an emotion. It had become an interpretation of reality.

Joshua and Caleb saw the same land, the same walls, and the same obstacles. But they understood that reality can be hard without being hopeless, and that a people cannot build its future if fear becomes its organizing principle.

This week in The Weekly Zionist, Amitai Fraiman and Zack Bodner read Shlach as a challenge for Jewish life today: not to ignore danger, not to worship power, and not to mistake fear for wisdom.

Subscribe, and read the full essay in the first comment 👇

06/12/2026

📅 Save the date: June 14.

The Z3 Institute is launching Jewish Priorities, a new Substack featuring conversations, analysis, and perspectives on Jewish peoplehood, Israel, the Diaspora, and the future of Zionism.

At a time when the Jewish world faces profound questions and unprecedented opportunities, we believe thoughtful dialogue matters more than ever. Join us as we build a community dedicated to meaningful conversation and shared responsibility for the Jewish future.

Link in first comment 👇

06/05/2026

In this week's Torah portion, Beha’alotecha, Moses asks Yitro to continue the journey with Israel—but the Torah never tells us whether he stays or leaves. Instead, the story reminds us that the future cannot depend on one person alone.

Lasting leadership requires shared responsibility, diverse voices, and a community willing to carry the journey together.

06/05/2026

June 5–10, 1967: The Six-Day War. Against overwhelming odds, Israel faced five Arab armies and emerged victorious in just six days. For many Jews around the world, the reunification of Jerusalem and the return to the Western Wall marked more than a military victory—it was a moment where ancient longing, history, identity, and hope converged in real time.

Nearly six decades later, the events of June 1967 continue to shape Jewish memory, peoplehood, and the enduring connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem.