In Israel today, the question of “Who is a Jew?” is not only legal—it’s deeply personal.

In this episode of Expanding the Conversation, Rabbi Seth Farber, founder and director of Itim, reflects on the intersection of religious authority, individual identity, and democratic values. Drawing from biblical narratives, courtroom battles, and grassroots activism, Rabbi Farber explores how Israel’s religious bureaucracy impacts the lives of citizens at every major life cycle moment—marriage, burial, conversion—and what it will take to create a Jewish state that welcomes all Jews. 

Bio of Seth Farber
Discussion Questions

1. “Mi Eilah?” – Who Are These?
   Rabbi Farber frames his talk around Jacob’s biblical question, “Mi Eilah?” as a metaphor for how Israeli institutions question Jewish identity. How does this question resonate today, especially for converts, immigrants, and those outside the Orthodox mainstream?
2. Pluralism and State Power
   What are the implications of having state-controlled religious institutions in a democratic society? What models might reflect a pluralistic vision of Judaism in Israel?
3. Conversion and Inclusion
   What does the episode reveal about the experience of Jews by choice in Israel? What does it say about the boundaries of community and the authority to define Jewishness??
4. Judaism and Zionism
   Farber argues that Judaism is not an afterthought in the Zionist story, but central to it. How do you interpret the relationship between Judaism and Zionism today?
5. Hope and Responsibility
   Despite the bureaucratic and legal challenges, Rabbi Farber speaks of being “blessed to live in this moment.” What gives you hope when thinking about Jewish identity and the future of the Jewish people?

Video/Image

• Seth Farber speaking at Israel at a Crossroads

Further Reading

• Itim: The Jewish Life Advocacy Center
• Seth Farber "The Chief Rabbinate's blacklist isn't defending Judaism. It's undermining it." JTA (July 10, 2017)--Farber referred to this article in his talk.