An article entitled "Relatives and Strangers" by Rabbi Daniel Greyber, a graduate of the Mandel Jerusalem Fellows program, was recently published in the Haaretz newspaper. In the article he calls upon Israeli educational leaders to visit the United States not (only) to raise money but, rather, to learn together, to introduce one's world to the other and to work together to cultivate a great love for the Jewish people.

The article discusses the need for strengthening the acquaintance and connection with Diaspora Jews and for breaking stereotypes and the vital role of Diaspora Jewish communities as an integral part of the Israeli discourse and reality. Greyber says that one of the most important things for him - as a rabbi and educator - is that Jews from the United States and the rest of the Diaspora see Israelis as their brothers and sisters and feel that here - in Israel - they have a home and family.

"During my year at Mandel, I got the chance to visit Israeli schools and meet educational leaders.  I learned much.  But I am coming back to the United States with a sense of sadness, and even concern, about the way Israelis relate to Jewish communities outside Israel, and with a clear sense that Israel does not really know me, nor the world to which I return," said Rabbi Greyber in his speech representing the Mandel Jerusalem Fellows at the Mandel graduation ceremony which took place at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem in June 2011.

Rabbi Daniel Greyber, a Conservative rabbi, recently completed a nine-year tenure as Executive Director of Camp Ramah in California.  He holds an MA in Speech and Communications Studies from Northwestern University and was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, where he was awarded the Henry Fisher Award for outstanding achievement in Jewish Studies.  While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Greyber founded the Neshama Minyan at Temple Beth Am and Minyan Nifla at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, as well as Lishma, a Camp Ramah summer program for Jewish young adults to explore traditional texts, prayer, and practice.  Rabbi Greyber lectures on liturgy and halakhah at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, and has been published in CJ Voices of Conservative/Masorti Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Midstream, and other Jewish periodicals.

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