On-Line With Israel At The Millennium: Insights into Life and Religion is a first hand, up-close look at Israeli society as it enters this third millennium. A collection of short essays, this book offers insights into the reactions behind the happenings, the people behind the politics, the real Israel – as it fights for its global and everyday survival in an ever-changing world. Halpern writes from the perspective of an insider, a Jewish educator and theologian.
He takes a tour of the Israeli psyche – what makes Israelis tick, and why. He explains the significance of the Holy Land to the Christians and explores the ramifications of the Millennium for Israel and the world. His topics cover the range: from the state of education to the state of the nation – all Israeli style; from a behind the scenes look at a bus bombing to an up-close look at Jewish pilgrimages to Israel – all Jewish style; from the struggles within the ranks of Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewish youth to the revolution within the kosher wine market.
This book will touch the heart and stimulate the mind of any person who has ever cared about Israel and the Holy Land, anyone curious about the place of Israel within the greater context of the Middle East, and everyone interested in the shaping of world history, religion and politics.
About the Author
Micah D. Halpern, originally from Annapolis, Maryland, has been living in Israel since 1987. An educator, theologian and historian, he lectures frequently, both in the United States and Israel, on issues relating to intellectual history, popular culture, religious studies, the Holocaust and inter-religious communication.
He is the founding director of the Jerusalem Center for European Study. Previously, Micah was a long standing educator with Young Judea and lecturer at Yale University. Since early 1997, Micah has served as the Israel columnist for America Online.