In this Issue

Shavuot is traditionally a celebration of unity for the Jewish people. At Mt. Sinai we stood as one, preparing for the journey which started thousands of years ago and continues to this day. The anticipation for Shavuot is a gradual process of getting ready, both personally and nationally, to accept the Torah and unite around an internal value – an acknowledgment of who we are as a People.

With Shavuot upon us, what comes to mind when we think about Jewish Peoplehood? Internal issues which shape who we are and external issues which also hold the potential of directing our attention inwards.

In this issue of Paths To Peoplehood, there is an attempt to place the issue of Jewish Peoplehood in several internal and external contexts. Looking at world trends such as globalization, the relationship we have with other religions or examining new cultural phenomena such as the vastly growing virtual social networks which affect the way we communicate, create and think, reflect how we operate in a global context. Another interesting angle of looking at Peoplehood is observing how it is expressed in culture or even the business world.

If we try and look inwards, we can observe the different connections among our communities such as the Israel-Diaspora relations portrayed in the book "Mi Hamanhig" ("Who's the leader?") or in the laboratory setting of a group relations convention. This newsletter also emphasizing thinking about Jewish Peoplehood beyond the Israeli and American communities and includes European models such as the article on French Jewry, also referred to in this issue.

We hope you will find new angles for discussion based on the articles chosen for this issue. We welcome your feedback on the articles and newsletter.

May we find much meaning in the coming holiday, personally and as part of the Jewish People.