Jun

18 2023

Session 3: ""Our Man in Damascus” Eli Cohen and the Mystique of the Mossad

12:00AM - 2:00PM  

Zoom - Online - register for link

Contact Arie Katz
949-682-4040
akatz@occsp.org
https://occsp.net

Jewish Spies, Part 1 - Jew, American, Athlete, Spy with Howard Lupovitch

Sunday June 4, 2023
Session 1: Jew, American, Athlete, Spy — The Many Sides of Moe Berg
This session delves into the life of Moe Berg, a remarkable figure who was an American athlete, a spy, and a Jew. It examines his immigrant upbringing, his entrance into Ivy League schools and Major League Baseball, his work as an OSS agent on missions in Japan and Germany during World War II, and the question of whether his Jewish identity played a significant role in his life and career.

Sunday June 11, 2023
Session 2: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: Jewish Spies and Anti-Communist Paranoia
This session explores the notorious case of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, shedding light on the origins of the stereotype linking Jews and communism. We discuss the pursuit of the American Dream by working-class Jews, the role of Jewish spies during the Red Scare, and the aftermath of the Rosenbergs' trial and execution. This session provides a comprehensive understanding of the political climate during the Cold War and its effects on the Jewish community.

Sunday June 18, 2023
Session 3: ""Our Man in Damascus” — Eli Cohen and the Mystique of the Mossad
In this session, we delve into the fascinating story of Eli Cohen, one of Israel's most renowned spies, and the mystique of the Mossad. We discuss the origins, mission, and impact of the Mossad, Cohen's background and integration into the 'edot hamizrach community, his undercover work as Kamal Amin Ta'abet in Syria, and the lasting image of the Mossad in popular culture.

Sunday June 25, 2023
Session 4: The Controversial Career and Capture of Jonathan Pollard
The final session investigates the contentious career and capture of Jonathan Pollard, an American Jew convicted of spying for Israel. This session offers a brief primer on American Jews and their relationship with Israel, followed by an in-depth look at Pollard's arrest, trial, conviction, and appeal. We then explore the broader implications of Pollard's actions on the concept of third-person Zionism and the delicate balance between loyalty to one's country and commitment to one's faith.

$50 per household, general public
Free of charge to CSP 5784 donors ($180+)
Discounts available for members of Synagogue Partners (Plus and Platinum Levels)