Israel was famously founded by men and women of the Left. But over seven decades on, Israeli sensibilities are, by any measure, more conservative than most other western nations. How did this come to be, and what prospects does it hold for the future of the Jewish state?

Israeli statehood is an effort to reconcile the Jewish people’s exceptional tensions: the country was built upon socialist principles for an ancient people returning to their historical homeland; it would guarantee the Jewish future while keeping religious law separate from national policy. So it is not surprising that Israel has developed a complex and fascinating multiplicity of conservative traditions, holding together innovation with deference to history, modernity with antiquity, realism with idealism.

In these five meetings, we will discuss the different strands of Israeli conservatism, their development, how they relate to one another, and how they bear on contemporary Israeli politics and policy.

Q & A with the teachers and in-person classes are open to Tikvah Society members. Become a Society member today and enjoy free access to our exclusive offerings, including Tikvah Open University, publications, briefings, annual conferences, and more.