Our Vision is a society built upon a covenant of Torah, morality, and social responsibility.
Kolenu: Amplifying a Jewish Democratic Voice
Today’s Challenges
The tragic events of October 7th and their aftermath have surfaced Israeli society’s acute need for healing and repair. Sadly, the current reality flies in the face of this need, as we witness significant democratic backsliding, religious extremism, and deepening polarization among the diverse groups making up Israel’s complex social mosaic. Throughout this period, a moderate Religious-Zionist voice has been conspicuously absent from public discourse. This situation has long-term dire consequences for Israel’s social cohesion, for Jewish pluralism in Israel, and for Israel-Diaspora relations.
Meeting the Moment
Kolenu is deeply committed to turn what is a highly troubling reality into an opportunity to amplify the voice of the liberal Orthodox community – those who are committed to Torah and at the same time-- to values of morality, democracy, social responsibility, gender equality, and human rights.
Kolenu—Who we Are
Kolenu is the newly unified organization built on the infrastructure of Ne’emanei Torah Va’Avodah and Kolech, two long-standing leaders within the moderate and liberal Religious-Zionist public in Israel. To ensure an effective response to the challenges of the current Israeli reality, Kolenu has engaged in a professional introspective process leading to a new strategy and mode of operation. The strategy is based on a theory of change which posits that it is essential to build a nationwide network of religious institutions, communities, ideological partners, and alumni of key post-secondary educational institutions to fortify their shared identity and ensure that their Jewish-democratic voice resonates throughout Israeli society.
Our Mission
Our mission is based on the belief that a robust Israeli Judaism must include a range of Jewish commitments, and that Religious-Zionist communities bear a responsibility to contribute a moderate, pluralistic, bridge-building voice to bolster cohesion in Israeli society and strengthen the bonds between Israel and Diaspora Jewish communities. Towards fulfilling this mission, we are developing a conceptual framework and concrete programs targeted at women and men who believe in a covenant of Torah, morality, and social responsibility.