Westminster Presbyterian Church, Alexandria Va

Miri Bernovsky Tibon returns to present how the Bible is taught in secular schools in Israel, and how many secular Jews in Israel view the Old Testament – not only as a religious book, but also as a unique historical and cultural document. We will focus on an event from the “recent” past of the Jewish people: the biblical story of King David and his son Absalom, who tested his father’s hold on power. By reading and discussing this fascinating story in small groups, we will be able to address current news stories from our own day and age, and ethical and moral questions that were relevant 3000 years ago – and remain just as relevant in our own times. Are there any moral boundaries in the fight for political power? What makes a ruling government legitimate? And should the family of those who hold power be exempt from the rules that apply to others? This discussion will give participants a small taste of how biblical stories are often taught in secular schools in Israel, throu