More than 120 organizational partners across the country will join Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) for its third annual “Ben-Gurion Day in the USA” on Dec. 8. This year’s event will offer a message of resilience and unity in the face of adversity, rooted in the increasingly relevant vision of Israel’s founding father and first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
Ben-Gurion Day has long been a national day of commemoration in Israel. With this third iteration of Ben-Gurion Day in the USA, A4BGU is again bringing this day across the Atlantic, inviting Americans to honor the Israeli leader’s spirit of resilience, unity and hope in the face of societal challenges—values that were vital when Israel was founded and arguably more essential now.
A4BGU’s partners, including some 75 synagogues, 25 Jewish day schools, 10 Jewish Community Centers and five Jewish Federations, are participating by engaging with A4BGU’s “Program in a Box,” a free toolkit of resources and activities designed to help communities reflect on Ben-Gurion’s legacy. It includes educational materials, posters and a lesson plan to guide participants through meaningful discussion about resilience and Israel’s role on the global stage.
“We are gratified to see so many Jewish institutions use the day to rally around the theme of Israel’s remarkable resilience in a world indelibly changed by Oct. 7,” said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU. “David Ben-Gurion’s historic promise was that Israel would be a light unto the nations. This robust, nationwide participation inspires and empowers A4BGU to lead the way forward in shaping that brighter future.”
Ben-Gurion Day in the USA 2024 features a webinar hosted in partnership with the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, focusing on the former prime minister’s teachings on resilience. It will also feature rarely seen archival documents that highlight his leadership during Israel’s early years, as well as discussions on how his philosophy remains relevant in today’s context. To that end, experts will offer reflections on the lasting impact of Ben-Gurion’s vision for Israel’s future.
For more information on Ben-Gurion Day in the USA or to register for the webinar, visit: BenGurionDayUSA.org.
