Rabbi Hannah Estrin

Develop a deeper understanding and connection to Israel, God, and Judaism through the lens of Israel. Take prayer out of the synagogue, text out of the classroom, and news out of the papers and place them in their original physical and social context. See Israel in a whole new way, all from the comfort of your home or community.

Plan a year-long journey through Israeli sites culminating in a Scholar-in-Residence weekend or create a one-time experience delving into a specific site and topic. Gain new insight, depth, and understanding through which deeper conversations and connections can be brought into daily life.

Discover a more spiritual and centered self through the lens of Israel.

Sites and Sources: Judaism through the lens of Israel. Zoom sessions can stand alone or be combined into a series.

• Tzfat – Reinvigorating Friday night through a visit it Tzfat of the 1500s.
• Ketef Hinnom Graves – First Temple Burial practices and the Priestly Blessing.
• Kinneret Cemetery – Meet the dreamers of Pre-State Israel and explore their continued impact.
• Ein Gedi – How this desert oasis may have been the answer to King David’s darkest days.
• Massada – Explore daily life on a mountaintop and the reemergence of the Judean Date Palm.
• Yavne – Trace the first stop of the development of Rabbinic Judaism in the First Century.
• Jerusalem, Southern Wall – Awaken the senses where history, Talmud, and Jerusalem today intersect.
• Jerusalem, Robinson’s Arch – Feel hearts and souls as we explore the Shema and V’Ahavta more deeply.
• Jerusalem, Yehuda Amichai – Reflections on Jerusalem with 19th Century Israeli Poet, Amichai.
• Jerusalem, Shai Agnon – Explore secular Israeli writer Agnon’s lessons about Judaism.
• Shavuot in Jerusalem – Stand in Radical Amazement as the sun rises on Shavuot morning at the Kotel.

Sites and Sources Theme suggestions.

• Lessons for Today from the Sanhedrin of Yesterday (5 sessions) Visit the towns of the Sanhedrin and utilize text and traditions to imagine how they dealt with a changing world.
• Prayer through the lens of Israel (3-5 sessions)
• Psalms on Location (3-5 sessions)

Israel Classes Increase your understanding of the background of Israel. Excellent preparation for an Israel trip.

• From Barren to Brawn & Brains: 100 years of pre and early-state Israel.
• 3000 Years of Holy Land history in just one hour.
• How the Knesset Works (or Doesn’t): the history, structure and current make-up.
• Haredim, The Rabbinate & the State of Israel (4 sessions): Trace the development of the Ultra Othodox, their evolution within the State of Israel, and how they gained such political strength.

These Israel encounters can be offered online or in person.

For more information: rabbihannahestrin@gmail.com.

Hannah is an interactive and engaging educator whose love for Israel is simply infectious. Her experience with all ages enables her to tailor her presentations to meet the needs of her audience.         – Rich Moline, Director, Israel Education – Community Foundation for Jewish Education

Reciting psalms and prayers connected to the land of Israel take on new meaning since my experience with Hannah. I highly recommend her for any teaching experience/ She can bring Israel, Jewish texts, and prayer to life in a new and inspiring way!     – Rabbi Sara Berman