History of the Institution The history of the Yaacov Herzog Center for Jewish Studies really begins with the decision in 1987 by the Council of the Religious Kibbutz Movement to establish a forum for joint study of the Jewish cultural heritage by secular and religious Jews, a conscious attempt at rapprochement with secular Jews on the part of the religious. The initiative came in response to the sense that the social and cultural fabric of Israeli society was unraveling, especially along secular-religious lines. Based on the conviction that Judaism belongs to all Jews, and not just to "the religious," YHC was born as an effort to reach out towards the "other" who is nonetheless my "brother," my fellow Jew who seemed to have grown distant. The Herzog Center is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Yaacov Herzog, an Israeli diplomat, lawyer, rabbi and philosopher of wide international reputation, who devoted his life to the service of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. For twelve years after its establishment, the Center was under the direction of Mrs. Tova Ilan, an experienced educator active for many years in attempts to improve relationships between religious and secular Jews. In 2001, Dr. Gili Zivan, a well-known figure in Israeli educational circles, assumed the Executive Directorship of the Center, and Tova Ilan was appointed President. Over the years, YHC has created, implemented and disseminated many innovative programs throughout Israel, including ongoing courses, lectures, workshops, study trips and encounter sessions, all of which deal with Jewish-Israeli culture and the intersection of modernity and tradition. In the 1990s, with the massive aliyah from the countries of the Former Soviet Union, YHC began working with new immigrants, running month-long Jewish identity seminars for immigrant students. Between the years 1992-1995, YHC developed a cooperative working relationship with the Adult Education division of the Ministry of Education, working in particular with senior staff to build the rationale and methods for presenting Jewish culture to FSU and Ethiopian immigrants. The institution also enlarged its focus during these years to include teachers, women, young people preparing for army service, social workers, psychologists, and even government staff. By 1995, YHC felt that doors were beginning to open for the kind of Jewish renewal work that the organization was doing, that people were less suspicious, and that the organization had established a reputation for integrity and honesty in its intentions and efforts to help. In the years 1996-2000, YHC pioneered the development of small Batei Midrash – study halls based on the classical yeshiva model – using them as a new kind of learning space combined with encounter group techniques for personal discovery. Later YHC applied this method to different groups of study partners – teachers, social activists, young people and new immigrants. In 1997-98, YHC began to work intensively with young people, creating leadership development programs by drawing on Jewish tradition to nurture pluralistic sensitivity and social responsibility. Another such program for religious youth was developed on the subject of Judaism and Democracy. This period also saw the beginning of in-service training courses for Jewish Studies teachers in the Diaspora, a branch of activity that has continued to develop. For example, this past summer, as a part of Partnership 2000, YHC hosted a group of Jewish educators from Chicago for a week-long educational seminar to develop dialogical and encounter methods in the teaching of Jewish Studies. YHC's pluralistic approach found expression in the creation of "The Many Faces of Judaism," which introduced Israelis to the diversity of voices within both traditional and contemporary Judaism. Turning outward towards general Israeli society, YHC began publishing books that reflected the organization's outlook on Jewish renewal. It also began seeking like-minded partners to collaborate with, such as Kolot BaNegev, the Van Leer Institute, Sapir College, the Shalom Hartman Institute, the Jewish Agency, universities, etc. In addition, YHC began to take an active role in many public forums and conferences. Another expression of this turn outwards has been the development since 2002 of large-scale programs intended for the general Israeli public, focusing on the weekly Torah portion and Jewish holidays throughout the year, and attracting crowds of 200-600 people. In recent years the Yaacov Herzog Center has received public recognition for its efforts on behalf of pluralism, tolerance and Jewish renewal. For example, in 1999 Tova Ilan received the Avi Chai Foundation award for her activities as Executive Director of the Yaacov Herzog Center, and in 2000, she was honored by the State of Israel by being asked to kindle one of the torches in the annual Independence Day celebration. In 2003, YHC's current Executive Director, Dr. Gili Zivan (together with Sharon Leshem-Zinger, of Kolot BaNegev), was awarded the Marc and Henia Liebhaber Prize for Promotion of Religious Tolerance and Cultural Pluralism in Israel.