Year 10 students were fortunate to hear from Rabbi Yael Vurgan on Friday. Rabbi Vurgan is the Progressive Rabbi that serves the kibbutzim in Otef Gaza (the Gaza Envelope), including Nahal Oz and Kfar Aza. Rabbi Vurgan serves ten kibbutzim and usually simchot and Shabbat services make up the majority of her workload. After October 7 however, she has spent much more time offering pastoral support to the members of the kibbutzim (who have been evacuated). Rabbi Vurgan told the story of how she went from being part of a committed secular family to becoming a rabbi. It was only during her military service, when she met people from all different backgrounds, that she started to explore being religiously Jewish.
Rabbi Vurgan explained how she attempted to be Orthodox, but that it didn't sit right with her. It was only later upon visiting the US that she became aware of Progressive Judaism that she realised "There's more than one way to have a serious connection with Judaism." After previously completing a degree in Hebrew literature and Jewish philosophy, Rabbi Vurgan went to HUC Rabbinic school in Jerusalem.
Students asked Rabbi Vurgan a number of questions, including how people in Israel feel about the government after October 7, and her ideas regarding the security of Otef Gaza. Rabbi Vurgan spoke about the "brokenness" of the residents of Otef Gaza who feel betrayed by the Government. Rabbi Vurgan also spoke about the belief popular with many Israelis that it is in Netanyahu's favour to continue to War in Gaza so he does not have to face an election that would likely see him ousted from power. Rabbi Vurgan reminded students that in the past a peace deal with Egypt and Jordan was seen as impossible, but was achieved. For lasting peace to be achieved, Rabbi Vurgan said that Israel needs to find a way to talk to the enemy: "we don't have to like each other, we just need to find an agreement."
Thank you to the UIA Progressive Appeal for the chance to hear from Rabbi Vurgan.
Rabbi Vurgan explained how she attempted to be Orthodox, but that it didn't sit right with her. It was only later upon visiting the US that she became aware of Progressive Judaism that she realised "There's more than one way to have a serious connection with Judaism." After previously completing a degree in Hebrew literature and Jewish philosophy, Rabbi Vurgan went to HUC Rabbinic school in Jerusalem.
Students asked Rabbi Vurgan a number of questions, including how people in Israel feel about the government after October 7, and her ideas regarding the security of Otef Gaza. Rabbi Vurgan spoke about the "brokenness" of the residents of Otef Gaza who feel betrayed by the Government. Rabbi Vurgan also spoke about the belief popular with many Israelis that it is in Netanyahu's favour to continue to War in Gaza so he does not have to face an election that would likely see him ousted from power. Rabbi Vurgan reminded students that in the past a peace deal with Egypt and Jordan was seen as impossible, but was achieved. For lasting peace to be achieved, Rabbi Vurgan said that Israel needs to find a way to talk to the enemy: "we don't have to like each other, we just need to find an agreement."
Thank you to the UIA Progressive Appeal for the chance to hear from Rabbi Vurgan.
21
MAR
MAR