Spiritual Diplomacy

In addition to hosting scores of political leaders – such as this group of US Attorneys General pictured above brought to Israel by the America – Israel Friendship League – as well as academic, artistic, business and student leaders, Shir Hadash has hosted many religious leaders, including those already supportive of Israel but also many who are not. Pictured below is a group of Muslim Imams from Indonesia — brought to Israel thanks to the Australia – Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.

In addition to hosting friendly Presbyterian Ministers dedicated to fighting against their movement’s plan to support the BDS movement (pictured below), we’ve also hosted Mennonite pastors actually leading the charge for their movement to engage in BDS. Following a series of seminars and lectures, exposure to a Friday night service and, most importantly, home hospitality, they leave Israel changed, more connected to the Jewish people and more sensitive to the Jewish nation’s connection to this land.

And the feedback has been amazing, with groups as diverse as a delegation of U.S. attorneys general, evangelical ministers and school superintendents all listing their Shir Hadash experience as a highlight and most meaningful aspect of their visit.

A small sample of the many groups who have visited Shir Hadash include:

Untold Numbers of Birthright-Israel Groups … Ramah Summer Programs • National Association of Attorneys-General Missions to Israel • Larchmont Reform Temple • USY Teen Tours • High School in Israel Teen Experience • Sha’arey Shamayim Congregation (Montreal) • Hillel College Groups • American-Israel Friendship League Clergy Delegation • B’nai Akiva South African/Australian Teen Tours • Hakafa Synagogue without Walls • New York UJA Federation • Yavneh Camp • Congregation Rodef Shalom (Tampa) • Ramaz Middle School (New York) • San Francisco Social Activists Mission • Beth Tefila Congregation (Baltimore) • Indonesian Muslim Cleric Leadership Mission • Agnon Day School (Cleveland) • Dallas UJA Federation • Congregation Kehilat Jeshurun (New York)  • American-Israel Friendship League Emerging Academic Scholars Delegation • Milwaukee Outreach Program • Chovevei Torah Fellowship Program • Greensboro, North Carolina Jewish High School • Telos Artists Mission •Jess Schwartz High School (Phoenix) • Shalhevet School (Los Angeles) • March of the Living • SNAP Leadership Training Program • Vancouver Chabad • Israeli Army Conversion Program • Kansas City Federation Mission • Nishmat Women’s Program • UJC Missions • Hebrew Institute of Riverdale • B’nai Brith Youth • American-Israel Friendship League Foreign Affairs Lobbyist Mission • Telos Philanthropists Mission • Beth Judea Conservative Synagogue (Chicago) • Temple Emanuel Reform Congregation (Cleveland) • Ramah Seminars • Cardozo Academy Fellows • B’nai Akiva Scandanavian Year Course  • Hebrew University Beit Midrash Program  • Hineni (Australia) Youth Group • Yeshivat HaKotel Leadership Program • Bethel College Mission • Tucson AIFL Chapter Leadership Mission • Mennonite Central Committee Delegation