Ever wonder how Israeli and American opinions compare on topics like religion, sex, intermarriage and just being Jewish in general? The new Jewish Reconnection Project is here to show you. The cool web video series showcases dialogues between a group of young adult Jews in New York and Jerusalem. The goal of the series is to highlight the diverse individual perspectives among the global Jewish community and to help us all better understand one another, ourselves and our shared history.

Check out the fourth three-minute episode of this series called “Our Promised Land—The Conflict” and then read what four JVibers had to say about it. If you missed our discussions on previous episodes, check out discussion ONE, TWO and THREE.

Here’s the reaction of Michele Pinczuk, 14:
Personally, this politically charged discussion about our homeland clearly indicates that Jewish Americans acquire more negative scrutiny about Israel than their Israeli counterparts. However, both the Jewish Israelis and Americans agreed that historically, Israel has been promised to the Jews. Because our people have struggled enormously through the horrors of genocide and anti-Semitism, we must strive to keep the “land of milk and honey” to shelter any lost Jew who is in need of refuge. In the words of Golda Meir, “It is our responsibility to save Jewish children from a similar fate.”

Jaime Bolker, 18, responds:
I agree with you completely that we need a Jewish state to protect ourselves and to make sure the Holocaust can never happen again. But I’m not exactly sure how to respond to this video; I’m not sure if there is much of a discussion. Everyone agreed that having Israel is a must, and that it’s a struggle to live there but worth it completely. I think Israel is a beautiful and amazing place, but I don’t know what right anyone has over any land. The Jews aren’t the only people who say Israel is supposed to be theirs. Call me crazy, but I think what’s most important in this world is to stop the bloodshed and try to understand one another. I don’t think we should give Israel up by any means; I think Israel is necessary. I just find it interesting that the video was titled “Our Promised Land.” It feels like it was made from a biased perspective. 

Here’s what Elizabeth Kirshner, 13, thinks:
Agreeing very much so with Jaime, this video was interesting but lacked much of the debate-like discussions previously featured. Most of the young adults shown hold some value for Israel. Whether it’s a religious connection or simply as a homeland, each person had a special tie to the country. While I’m strongly against unnecessary wars or bloodshed, I do believe from a religious perspective, that Israel is a Jewish state. On the same note, though, the name on a map, or who the land officially belongs to, is a minor issue when compared to the importance of peace. While not a simple task, the ideal situation for Israel is the coexistence brought up by the final woman speaking in the video, meaning Israel as a land of respect. By no means, however, should this involve relinquishing, sacrificing or compromising the homeland that is rightfully ours.

Jeffrey Rollman, 16, says:
This installment of the video series brings up the omnipresent issue of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Regardless of political developments,Israel must stay, both symbolically and literally, the Jewish homeland. Tragedies in Jewish history—from slavery in Egypt, destruction of the temples, expulsion of Jews in Spain and the mass murder of the Holocaust— reinforce the need for a strong Jewish nation to shelter and defend Jews from rogue countries and leaders. Reconciliation and peace with Israel’s neighbors would be ideal, but security cannot be sacrificed for a temporary peace. Controversial issues, such as the “right of return” allowing millions of Palestinian refugees to swarm Israel, must be looked at with the need to maintain a Jewish state, otherwise the purpose of Israel will be useless. Without Israel as a strong regional power and safe haven for Jews, the catastrophes in history are bound to repeat themselves.

Michele Pinczuk is a teen journalist who freelances for several publications, including The New York Times. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area. Michele loves New York and Saturday Night Live. Her role models are Gilda Radner, Golda Meir, her grandmom, mom and Aunt Sylvia. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.

Elizabeth Kirshner is passionate about being Jewish, being on the JTab, people-watching, living life to the fullest and collecting quotes. She always has a song stuck in her head, usually Regina Spektor (a MOT), KT Tunstall or Jason Mraz. The Style Network is a must, and fashion magazines are more than a guilty pleasure.

Jaime Bolker is a student at International High School in San Francisco. She’s a pop-culture junkie and is currently obsessed with Dawson’s Creek re-runs and Bob Marley. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.

Jeffrey E. Rollman recently spent a semester abroad in Israel. He lives in Los Angeles and likes running cross country, politics, reading and weight lifting. He’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.