For the Sake of Argument

As we approach the US presidential election, many are wrestling with our values and how they translate into real-world decisions. The election isn't just about choosing a candidate – it's about navigating the complex space between our ideals and reality. When we look at polling data, we see Americans deeply divided on fundamental issues like reproduction, immigration, and economic priorities. These divisions often reflect our core values, but the challenge comes in applying them to complex political choices. Think about it: We might value women's rights and Israel's defence, both economic security and social justice, both tradition and progress, both change and stability. The presidential race shows us that sometimes these pure values compete, and we have to make difficult choices in the thicket of reality. Our values don't become less authentic when we wrestle with how to apply them in the real world. Whether we’re deciding how to vote or engaging in political discussions, perfect alignment might not be possible – perhaps we should aim for a mindful approach to our choices. Robbie Gringras #Election2024 #ValuesInAction #BridgingDivides #USPresidentialElection #VotingMatters #MindfulVoting #NavigatingPolitics #DemocracyInAction #thinandthick #healthyarguments #DisagreeBetter #israeleducation #jewisheducation #israel

It’s the little things that make all the difference. I left the house early, at 6 am, without having had my coffee. It’s all right, I calmed myself, you can pick up a coffee at the train station. Parked the car and arrived at the station with a good ten minutes to spare. More than enough time to pick up that coffee. I’m about to show my bag to the security guy, and the siren goes off. We all run to the safe room, and I’m really stressed. I trust the safe room. I’m not worried about the missiles. But we have to stay in the shelter for ten minutes. And I only have ten minutes before the train leaves. When will I get my coffee? It’s a two hour journey. Without coffee? How will I survive? Everyone is sharing information about the attack, standing around suddenly intimate in a safe room that doubles as the kitchenette of the station. The station master asks if anyone would like a drink of water. I half-joke – no, but I could do with a coffee. And because we’re all in this together, and because we’re in Israel, the guy doesn’t frown, or worry that everyone might want one, or refer to how much his job’s worth. He shrugs with a smile and says, sure, I’ll pull out a few more cups. And I make myself a coffee from his personal stash, and know that today will be fine. - Robbie Gringras, Co-Director

Have you read any of our new argument stories yet? Drawing questions from ancient texts to address modern issues of justice, violence, and moral responsibility, we used the story of Dina from Genesis/Bereshit to spark conversations about the ceasefire deal argument. The story of Dina is sure to spark an argument (a healthy one, of course). You can access the full story and its guiding questions from our "It's Been a Year: War Stories 2" collection through our website: https://lnkd.in/gPgW7Zxc

To the memory of those whose lives we have lost, to the healing of those wounded, to the safety of our soldiers, and to those we are still waiting to return home. God, who is peace, protect us with peace. #October7 #bringthemhomenow

📚 Our New 4-Story Collection Is Here! 📚 Over the past year, the Israel-Hamas war has upended our assumptions and forced us to grapple with questions that defy simple answers. For educators, community leaders, and families alike, the events of October 7th and their aftermath have reshaped the conversations we're having–conversations that challenge our values, beliefs, and sense of direction. The difficult conversations sparked by the war have revealed deep rifts, but also opportunities for profound understanding – if we are willing to engage with them fully. It's for this moment that we've written It's Been a Year: War Stories 2 – a collection of four new argument stories designed to confront the difficult issues that have emerged from the war. 👉Download the collection now and start the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gPgW7Zxc

How are you incorporating our resources into your teachings?

Even solidarity can come from unexpected places. This story, My Enemy's Enemy is Not My Friend, explores the difficult decision of accepting help from someone whose beliefs are at odds with your own. What would you do? This is just one of the new stories in our upcoming collection, It's Been a Year: War Stories 2. Stay tuned for more. If you're not familiar with our argument stories yet, now's the time to dive in!

Once upon a time, arguments were a way to get smarter, to understand each other, and to see the world beyond our own ideas. Each of our stories is crafted with a clash of values in mind, asking you to take a side—even if it’s one you wouldn’t normally choose. This is the fun of values clashes: they force us to make independent choices, sometimes revealing our authentic humanity in surprising ways. Think of our stories as an exercise book—a personal trainer for your argument muscles. Our world needs more people brave enough to venture into the discomfort of disagreement, not to seek consensus, but to build bridges of understanding with those whose views we reject. These stories are tools for building that stamina. Every story in this collection is an opportunity to engage with a real issue through the lens of fiction. From arguments about race and power to personal conscience versus public decree, these stories are a mirror of the world’s most pressing debates—each one offering a chance to explore, to disagree, and to grow. It began with our first book, a collection of 24 stories that sparked meaningful discussions about Israel across the globe. We've since released a Democratya booklet on Israel’s judicial reforms and a wartime collection offering a unique lens on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Now, we're excited to announce the upcoming release of a new collection in honor of the one-year anniversary of October 7—stories arising from the events of the past year. Ready to begin? Dive in, discuss, disagree, and discover. Whether you’re reading alone or with others, there’s a place for you in these conversations. Visit our website for unlimited access to all our stories and resources: forthesakeofargument.org

Arguments can be FUN when we use them to learn, grow, and connect! 🌀

Consider this: Hasbara might not be the way forward. What if we tried opening up the conversation instead? Hazmana not Hasbara. "Invitation" not "Explanation" #hasbara #israeleducation #healthyarguments #arguments #jewisheducation